Water leaks aren’t limited to the indoors. The plumbing pipes around and under your home can become damaged and start to leak. Slab leaks – leaks that occur in the pipes running underneath your home – are among the most serious exterior plumbing emergencies in Pomona, CA.
What makes a slab leak so serious? As the water leaks into the surrounding soil, it can cause the ground beneath your home’s foundation to shift. This can stress your home’s foundation, resulting in cracks and a whole lot of other very expensive foundation issues.
Signs That You May Have a Slab Leak
If you suspect you may have a slab leak, it’s important to contact a Pomona, CA plumber immediately. Here are some of the signs that indicate you may have a slab leak:
- Sudden and unexplained increases in water bills
- Your water meter dial moves when pipes are not in use
- Hearing running water when no water is in use
- Standing water around the outside of the house
- Persistent low water pressure
- Mold issues or moldy smells
- Moisture or mildew under your carpet
- Cracks in basement walls or baseboards
- Damp or warm floors
Preferred Plumbing and Rooter Service provides expert slab leak and other exterior emergency plumbing services to homes and businesses throughout the Imperial Valley. Call us immediately at (877) 298-8105 if you’ve been noticing the warning signs of a slab leak.
How Do Slab Leaks Happen?
Slab leaks can occur for various reasons. Some of the most common causes of slab leaks in Pomona, CA include:
Poor installation and pre-damage. Damaged or poorly installed pipes are likely not to function properly, which can result in a slab leak.
Shifts in the ground and/or foundation. Movements in the soil or foundation shifts can place pressure on your pipes. Over time, the stress can lead to slab leaks.
Corrosion. The composition of the soil the pipes are buried in can cause corrosion over time, damaging the pipes to the point they begin to fail.
Abrasion. The natural expansion and contraction of a water pipe causes the pipe to rub against the surrounding soil. This can be a problem if the pipes are exposed to concrete, gravel, or other pipes. As they rub against each other, the abrasion can cause damage to the pipe.
Slab Leak Repairs
In the old days, repairing a slab leak meant digging up the old pipe, digging beneath the home, or rerouting a pipe through the ceiling. New technologies allow us to replace or repipe the damaged pipe without having to tear up your home and yard.
Video inspection equipment allows plumbers to quickly locate the source of the problem without having to disturb the pipe. Depending on the extent of the damage, your pipe may need to be replaced or repaired.
If the pipe has only suffered minimal damage, it may be possible to “repipe” it by coating the inside of the pipe with an epoxy compound to seal up any hairline cracks or pin holes. For pipes that are damaged beyond the point of repair, it’s often possible to replace the pipe by placing a smaller pipe inside the damaged pipe.
Emergency Plumbing Services in Pomona, CA
If you’re experiencing a slab leak or other plumbing emergency in Pomona, CA, give Preferred Plumbing and Rooter Service. We provide expert emergency plumbing services to home and business owners throughout the Imperial Valley. Our team of licensed Pomona, CA plumbers have the training and tools to deal with just about any plumbing emergency – including slab leaks.
Slab leaks can cause a wide range of problems, including foundation damage. If you’ve been noticing the warning signs of a slab leak, contact Preferred Plumbing and Rooter Service without delay. You can contact us online or call us at (877) 298-8105 to schedule a visit from one of our Pomona, CA plumbers.