6 Signs You May Have an Active Slab Leak

Oh no! You just went to grab a soda from the fridge and splashed through a huge puddle on the way. Why is your home turning into a swimming pool?? Might be a slab leak. 

Slab leaks can wreak havoc on your home and your wallet! Not only will your house be underwater, but you'll also be paying for this privilege through increased bills. The water pipes for your home run through the slab, and as they get old and corrode, or the house settles into its foundation, pipes may spring leaks or break. The older your home is, the more likely it is you'll have a slab leak. Check out the signs in this list, so you'll be ready if it happens to you.

1) There's a Puddle on the Floor, Inside or Outside

The most common sign of a slab leak is a puddle on the floor that can grow larger over time, as water bubbles up from underneath. You'll often find the puddle close to where plumbing is located, such as the bathroom, kitchen or laundry room. If you see a puddle, look around carefully to make sure the leak isn't actually coming from an appliance, then give us a call and tell us you have a slab leak!

2) Sky High Water Bill or Heating Bill

You open your water bill and your jaw drops. How could you have used so much water? If there is no obvious reason your bill is sky high, and the change is sudden, you might have a slab leak on your hands. 

A little-known sign of a leak is a high heating bill. Having a hot water leak in your slab is the same as leaving your hot water running around the clock, which means your hot water heater is also running 24/7, using a ton of electricity or gas. 

3) Warped Wood Floors or Damp Carpet

Water bubbling up from a slab leak accumulates and often comes up under your carpeting or wood floors. Keep an eye out for warped wood flooring or dark and/or damp areas on your carpet.

4) Your Hardwood or Tile Floor is Suddenly Hot

Did you recently install heated floors? No? Well then why are your floors suddenly so nice and toasty? If you read #2 above, then you know why. You've got a hot-side slab leak that is running 24/7 and heating up your floors from below. Unfortunately, those nice warm floors are costing you a bundle to heat all that water! 

If you have carpeting, you probably won't detect the hot spot right away. If you have pets, you may notice them lying in a certain spot repeatedly on cool days, so check the floor there to see if its warmer than surrounding areas.

5) Low Water Pressure

With so much water flowing out of leaks or breaks in the pipes, that leaves less water to travel to your fixtures, resulting in sudden low water pressure. If you're not using water at the same time anywhere else in the house, like the washing machine or the shower, you could have a slab leak that's "stealing" your water pressure.

6) Bad or Musty Smells 

If water from a slab leak bubbles up under your carpet, mold and mildew growth will soon follow. If the leak wicks up into the drywall, you could also develop mold in your walls. While these types of mold growth are usually not visible, you will definitely start to smell them! So if areas of your house suddenly smell musty, check this list for other signs of a slab leak. Mold is not good for your health or the health of your house.

If you think you have a slab leak or a yard leak in Georgetown, Round Rock, Austin, Hutto, Cedar Park or Pflugerville, call The Plumbinator right away! 512-786-1771. We have specialized listening and sniffing equipment that other plumbers don't have! We will pinpoint the leak AND fix it, without tearing up your house or yard.