Most homeowners are aware of several instances that can occur within the home that are known as nightmares. One of these nightmares is a slab leak, which originates in the water pipes beneath the concrete foundation of a home. These types of leaks are dubbed nightmares for the following reasons:
- They lead to great property damage
- They can be health hazards
- They are expensive to repair
- They lead to significant water waste
- They decrease property value
Because of these reasons, slab leak detection by Dallas Plumbing & Air Conditioning will find and repair slab leaks with minimal destruction to your property.
How Are Slab Leaks Caused?
Slab leaks occur for various reasons; below are a few common ways they are caused:
Poor Construction
Some homes are poorly built. As a result, many issues arise, like slab leaks and uneven flooring.
Corrosion
If your home is old, the pipes could be corroded. This is most common for homes with iron, galvanized steel, or copper pipes. Corrosion can cause the pipes to weaken, leading to leaks.
High Water Pressure
High water pressure can cause stress on the pipes, causing them to weaken and develop leaks.
Shifting Soil
Sometimes the soil shifts below a building or home, causing stress on the foundation. That stress can lead to slab leaks.
Tree Roots
Tall trees have enormous roots that can grow into pipes, causing them to crack and leak.
Methods Used for Slab Leak Detection
Though these types of leaks do not occur often (thankfully), they must be dealt with immediately when they do. Slab leak detection in Dallas is done through the following methods:
Visual Inspection
Sometimes a visual inspection is enough to see a slab leak coming from a pipe. This is most common when the pipe is exposed or accessible. This inspection will still have to be performed by a professional plumber who can thoroughly assess the situation for damage and recommend possible solutions.
Pressure Testing
When a visual inspection isn’t enough, plumbers can employ a pressure test to check for leaks in the pipes. This involves the plumber closing all the valves in the plumbing system and attaching a pressure gauge to the main water supply line. Then, they will turn the water back on and increase the pressure. During this time, the plumber will monitor the pressure gauge; if it drops, there is a leak.
Electronic Leak Detection
Plumbers also use electronic slab leak detection in Dallas, where a plumber will use a sensitive microphone connected to a computer or a handheld device. The microphone is placed on the concrete slab surface, and the equipment is used to amplify the sound of water flowing through the pipes. Thanks to this method, the plumber can identify the location and depth of the leak, speeding up an effective, less damaging repair.
Thermal Imaging
Another innovative method used for slab leak detection is thermal imaging. This method employs a thermal imaging camera that detects temperature changes on the surface of the concrete slab. This camera looks for temperature changes that indicate the presence of water leaking from the pipes. Thanks to this method, plumbers are able to resolve the leak faster.
Importance of Hiring a Professional Slab Detection Service
You may have already found the source of your leak or are debating going on your own quest to find its location. In this last section of our blog, we want to inform you why you always want to hire a professional to help you with slab leak detection in Dallas.
Accuracy
What if there are multiple leaks, but you find only one of them? When you hire a professional, you will be able to get accurate detection because plumbers have all the necessary equipment to find ALL of the leaks.
Efficiency
With the help of professional plumbers’ tools, those leaks will be found and repaired quicker. This means that the amount of sustained damage will be minimized.
Safety
Attempting slab leak detection and repair on your own isn’t always safe. It’s also not safe to leave the leak unattended for an extended period of time. A professional plumber will fix the situation immediately, mitigating any hazards to your health or home.
Preventative Maintenance
A professional plumber will be able to help you find the leak, fix it, and prevent future instances of slab leaks. This will help you avoid future stressful situations and extra repair costs.
Insurance Coverage
Some insurance policies may require that a professional perform slab leak detection and repairs to be covered. Hiring a professional can ensure that your insurance policy covers the cost of repairs if needed.
Leading Slab Leak Detection in Dallas
Do you suspect a slab leak in your home? Look no further than Dallas Plumbing & Air Conditioning for quick detection and repair. With over 120 years in business, our team has mastered the art and science of slab leak detection, repair, and prevention.
