Do You Have a Slab Leak?

Slab leaks are tough to detect. They occur under the concrete on your property and are not always visible, which means you might not see any signs of them for weeks or even months. However, they can be very serious and may end up damaging your property, including the foundation. Early detection will help decrease the damage that these troublesome leaks cause.

Spotting a slab leak is difficult, but it isn’t impossible. You can look for the following signs and symptoms that may indicate that you have a slab leak:

Your Tucson Water Bill Skyrockets

You may not see where the water is going with a slab leak, but it is going somewhere. Unexplained increases to your water bill could be a sign of a leak you have not seen. Your water pressure in other areas of the house may also decrease because water is flowing under your floor.

When a slab leak occurs, the water could take a long time to go above the slab. It might seep into the ground or under other portions of your home. That means that it could take months before you see water above-ground. However, the City of Tucson knows that water is flowing, and they will bill you for it. If your water bill is suddenly much higher, it might be time to call a plumber.

Your Water Meter Indicates You Have a Water Leak

You can sometimes check to see if you may have a leak by keeping an eye on your water meter. Be sure all your faucets and appliances are turned off. Then, go out and look at your water meter. The dial should not move. If it is wiggling, it could indicate that you have a leak. Some meters also have a built-in leak detector that will help you spot leaks.

Toilets, Tubs, or Showers Are Not Working

Your plumbing depends on a very particular flow of water to function properly. If several items that rely on water to work suddenly act like they are clogged at similar times, you may have a slab leak.

Identifying which appliances are not functioning will help you determine where the leak may be located. For example, if the bathroom on the South side of your home is the only one malfunctioning, then chances are that your slab leak is nearby.

You Feel Hot Spots on the Floor

If you have a hot water leak, you can often feel it under your feet. Having hot spots on the floor indicates that a hot water pipe has broken and is leaking. If there are just one or two spots under the floor that seem warm to you, then that could be a sign that you have a slab leak in that location.

It is much harder to feel cold water leaks. However, if you notice cooler spots in the floor, that could also be a sign of a cold-water leak.

Dealing with a Slab Leak in Tucson

If you think you have a slab leak, you need to get a professional in as soon as you can. Treating it right away can prevent long-term water damage to your home. Make the call to RAM Plumbing as quickly as possible—we offer 24/7 emergency service to help with issues like slab leaks and other plumbing problems.