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Here at In-House Plumbing, we get a number of calls everyday from homeowners worried they might have slab leaks in their foundation.

With all the incorrect information online, it’s easy to understand why it’s hard to determine what is going on when you find something like a wet spot on your floor—or worse. So we’d like to help you figure out what might be happening.

One misconception we’d like to clear up first, though, is there are no pipes IN the concrete slab. And this means there can’t be a leak within the foundation.

In most cases, the pipes are under the slab. So you if you do have a leak, it is under the foundation. While there are exception to this (a home built with fresh water pipes in the walls), it is highly unlikely any pipes—fresh water or sewer—are in the actual slab.

Depending on the symptom, you could have a sewer leak or leaks, or fresh water leaks. And in some cases, you might not even have a leak at all but a sewer stoppage problem.

Below are some of the most common signs and symptoms of the different types of plumbing problems you might be experiencing.

Signs of Sewer Problems

An important thing to note is the only time there is water in your sewer lines is when you run water or flush the toilet. Your sewer system is designed to run on gravity meaning the pipes are installed at a slight decline.

Anytime you run water in your house or flush the toilet, the water drains with gravity’s help down through the system, out to the main sewer line, and eventually to the city lines.

Sewer Clog or Blockage

Backups or Overflows – If water backs up or overflows when you flush the toilet or turn on and run water, it’s most likely you have a clog somewhere in in your sewer system. Because a sewer system is designed to run on gravity, if there is something blocking or clogging a sewer pipe, there’s nowhere for the water to go but back up and overflow out of your drain or toilet.

Slow Drains – If a sink, tub, or shower is slow to drain, you might have a partial clog which, if not addressed, could turn into a full stoppage or clog.

Sewer Leaks

Cracks in Walls and Foundation – If you have a sewer leak or a broken sewer pipe, whenever water runs through the pipe, some of it escapes into the soil surrounding the pipes and under your foundation. Because the soil in North Texas expands as it gets wet and contracts as it dries, water soaks into the soil like a sponge.

As a result, the expanding soil can cause your foundation’s slab to heave or push up. However, if the leak is severe enough and present for long enough, it is possible the soil could erode very slowly by leaching back into the broken sewer line causing the slab to drop.

Either of these can cause foundation issues/problems resulting in cracks in your walls or foundation. It could also show up as any of the following:

• Uneven or sloping floors
• Cracks in exterior or interior brick
• Displaced or cracked moldings
• Wall rotation
• Bowing of walls
• Cracks in floor or floor tiles
• Doors and windows won’t open or close properly
• Separation of doors, windows, and garage doors
• Spaces between wall and ceiling or floor
• Walls separating from house

Signs of Fresh Water Leaks

Unlike a sewer system, fresh water lines are always full of water.

Your cold water lines run on a pressurized system and connects to the city’s water line. That cold water line connects to your water heater which heats and runs water through the hot water lines. And it’s the stops in your faucets which keep the water from running until you turn on your faucet.

Higher than normal water bills

Because there is always water running in the system, having a leak is the same as turning on a faucet and letting the water run. This results in high water bills.

Higher than normal gas or electric bills

With a leak in your hot water line, your hot water heater is continually using gas or electricity to heat your water.

Little or no hot water

Along the same vein, if you find you can’t get any hot water or are getting very little hot water, you might have a leak in the hot water lines running from the water heater. It could be the water heater but it’s important to rule out any leaks before replacing your water heater. Or if you have replaced your water heater but continue to have problems getting enough hot water, then it’s most likely a leak in your hot water line.

The sound of running water

If you don’t have the water turned on anywhere in the house but still hear running water, it’s a possible sign of a leak.

Standing water in the yard

If you rule out leaking water from a hose or a sprinkler system, it’s possible this is a sign of a freshwater leak in your system. It does not necessarily mean the leak is underground in your yard. It could be under the slab of your home’s foundation that found a path from the leak to your yard.

Water or wet spots on the floor

If you find a certain spot on the floor is consistently wet or you have puddles, it could be a water leak. However, if it’s a problem in an entire room or your whole home, it’s possible it’s a flooring problem, not a plumbing issue.

Warm or hot spots on the floor

If the leak is in your hot water line, hot water continually escaping from the pipe heats the slab causing a spot on your floor to feel abnormally warm/hot.

Fixing the Problem

As soon as you notice any of the above signs or symptoms, give us a call. The earlier we catch something, the better. Letting these problems go will result in an even bigger problem.

Call us today at 972-494-1750, or fill out the form on our contact page.

Have you ever tried to fix a complex plumbing issue just to realize you are in way over your head?

We know it’s tempting to fix plumbing problems yourself—especially with all the repair guides, posts, and videos on the internet.

But it’s important to think twice before jumping in yourself. If you don’t know what you’re doing, you could cause more damage than was originally there.

Many homeowners don’t know the difference between a plumbing DIY project and a major issue that requires the work of a licensed plumber who has the experience, tools, and training to handle the problem.

And one of the problems that require the work of experts is under slab pipe repair, whether it’s because of a broken sewer line or a fresh water leak.

So often, we find people who think that DIY video on YouTube is good enough with its step-by-step instructions.

But, every plumbing system is different so what worked in the video may not work for your home unless you have the exact same type of plumbing system.

You may be able to repair a clogged toilet or a leaky faucet on your own. But it’s probably best to leave slab leak detection and repair to the experts. Aside from knowing the job gets done right when choosing a company like In-House Plumbing, you’ll save yourself a lot of aggravation, time, and money on repairs that do not work or only last a short period.

Homeowner’s Insurance

Mechanically-inclined owners often try to perform home repairs because they are good at fixing things. And if this is you, what you may not know is that this can cause a void in homeowners coverage.

Some insurance companies include slab leaks and leak detection services in their policies. But most have exclusions in the policy stating DIY repairs are not covered. Many policies include something along the lines of not covering professional repairs after homeowners attempt to fix the problem first.

This is usually because DIY attempts often cause more damage.

Specialized Equipment for Under Slab Leaks

It’s unlikely you have the tools and training that an expert plumber has (unless you are a plumber). Finding a leak under the foundation requires specialized equipment and tools.

And even if you do have some of the tools because you work in a similar field, you don’t necessarily possess the knowledge to execute the correct repair. This is usually the stage where homeowners find themselves calling in an expert.

Plumbing Issues Homeowners Should Leave to the Experts

• Pipe Replacement and Repairs
• Frozen Pipes
• Broken Fixtures
• Water Heater Repairs and Installation
• Water Leaks
• Wet Foundations

Don’t Make the Situation Worse

Several problems can arise when you attempt to repair a complex plumbing issue.

For instance, maybe you found and fixed a leak. But if there is more than one leak, the primary source of the problem can go unnoticed until significant damage causes the need for emergency repairs. The home can get flooded, and more things can break costing more money to fix than it would have to call an expert in the first place.

Before you decide to go ahead and fix the problem yourself understand what the issue may be, contact us.

Call the Experts

In-House Plumbing is proud to serve the Garland Texas area and surrounding cities. We also have a guide on how to find a trustworthy plumbing company near you.

Give our licensed plumbers a call today for a FREE estimate on any plumbing issue. Our phone number is 972-494-1750.

If you have already received a quote from one slab leak company allow us to provide you with our FREE Second Opinion to make sure you are not getting charged for more than what your home really needs.

Every day we get a lot of calls and emails from homeowners asking all types of plumbing questions. And we’ve notice a lot of the same questions tend to come up over and over.

So we wanted to take the time to answer some of the most commonly asked questions that we get on a daily basis.

Commonly Asked Questions About Slab Leaks

As experts in slab leak detection and repair, we deal with a lot of plumbing problems that happen under the slab of your foundation.

How do I know if I have a slab leak?

For many homeowners it’s difficult to identify issues going on under the foundation of the home. Thankfully, there are a few things to look for when trying to decide if it’s time to call a plumber or not.

Here is a list of some signs that might point to an under slab leak.

• Wet spots on the floorcold and hot water leak detection
• Cracked walls or floors
• Hear running water
• Utility bill increase
• Hot water coming out of the cold water faucet
• Humming noise coming from the pipes
• You can read more about these signs here.

Will you have to tear up my house or yard to find the leak?

No. We use the latest scanning and identification equipment to allow us to find leaks without excavation—in a normal situation. We also offer a location guarantee. If we do not find a leak, you will not be charged for our services.

How long does it take to repair a slab leak?

Most under slab leak repairs take a day or less to resolve. There are some situations where the fix could take longer, but this is rare.

How much does it cost to fix a slab leak?

Slab leak repairs are made in a variety of ways. Some methods are less intrusive than others, but it ultimately depends on where the leak is and how much damage the leak has caused. We can give you a free estimate with a simple leak inspection.

Does homeowners insurance cover slab leak repairs?

This question is best left to the insurance professionals. We suggest calling your insurance company to ask exactly what your policy covers. The same applies to plumbing pipe protection plans.

But before you call, watch this video to find out the best way to ask your insurance company about your coverage.

Is there a way I can check for a leak myself?

For a sewer leak, no. You can’t easily find these yourself. We use special equipment to test your sewer pipes for leaks.

For fresh water leaks, shut off the water to your house and check the water meter to see if the meter is still running. Check out this post to for a video example of what you’re looking for, and how we repair fresh water leaks.

Why Choose In-House Plumbing Company?

We always provide free estimates and a guarantee for our services. We also have the experience, knowledge, and equipment to perform leak detection tests and repairs. Check out our guide on how to find a reliable plumbing company to help you solve your problems without causing you more.

Our experts have commonly-needed parts stocked in the trucks and always clean up when finished. In fact, we even have a cleanliness guarantee. While we repair your leak, we take special care to minimize how much we impact you and your property.

Not to mention, we know the Garland, Mesquite, Plano, Rowlett, and Richardson areas very well because we have worked in the community since the late 90s.

Call us to set up an appointment for a free estimate or schedule a free second opinion.