You’re relaxing in your home when you hear it: the sound of rushing water. You’re not using your plumbing, so you jump up to find the source, but there are no obvious culprits. Your heart sinks as you realize what this might mean.
Slab leaks are a homeowner’s worst nightmare. Unlike other issues, these nefarious leaks are hard to spot and even harder to control alone. Worse, if you don’t catch one soon enough, you could end up spending thousands on structural repairs!
That’s why knowing the common slab leak signs can be so crucial. By catching these plumbing leaks early, you can get fast repairs to preserve your home’s structure. If you’re not sure what to look for, read on for the most obvious warning signs.
High Water Bills
Water bills have been on the rise for a while, but this increase should be gradual. Though your water bills may fluctuate throughout the year, any unusual spikes should be a red flag.
If your bill has skyrocketed and you aren’t sure why, there’s likely a plumbing leak in your home. Because most serious leaks become obvious after you inspect common culprits in your kitchen or bathrooms, an unexplained leak may be an issue with your slab. When water is running 24 hours a day, you can bet your bills will suffer for it!
The cost of a slab leak can vary depending on the severity of the leak. However, even a minor leak costing just a few dollars more each month can cause serious damage over time.
Reduced Water Pressure
No one likes struggling with low water pressure, but this issue is more than a simple frustration. If your home’s water pressure dips all of a sudden, all that water must be going somewhere.
When your slab starts to leak, you’ll often have less water running through the pipes in your home. This may be more or less noticeable depending on how bad the leak is. Rule out common culprits behind low water pressure before seeking help for a slab leak.
Rushing Water
Sometimes, you can hear a slab leak long before you see the signs.
If you notice the sound of water running, even when you aren’t using your plumbing at the moment, always investigate. Turn off water sources in your home, including water-guzzling appliances like the dishwasher or washing machine, and listen. If the rushing sounds don’t stop, contact a plumber for help.
“Hot Spot” in the Floor
As you walk around your home, you probably don’t think too much about the temperature of your floors. However, slab leaks can cause sudden and obvious “hot spots” that feel warmer than the rest of your flooring. The temperature change is most obvious on solid floors such as laminate or linoleum.
These warmer areas can happen when a slab leak is present in your hot water line. As water leaks, it heats your flooring in a single area.
Calling an expert plumbing contractor right away is crucial if you want to preserve your floors!
Warped, Wet, or Damaged Floors
If you’re unlucky, a leak in your water lines will seep far enough to the surface that it affects your flooring.
Certain types of flooring are more prone to damage than others. Organic flooring materials (such as wood) will often start to bend, buckle, or darken sooner than synthetic floors. With linoleum and laminate flooring, the surface may begin to warp. You might also notice damp or even wet floors, especially with carpets.
Moldy, Mildewed, or Damp Odors
Foul scents are among the most common signs that you have plumbing problems, and that’s true with slab leaks as well.
As water accumulates under your home, all the moisture gets trapped in place. Worse, it often infiltrates your flooring.
That moisture creates an open invitation for mildew and mold growth. These can create musty or damp smells in the areas most affected by the leak.
Mold spores spread fast, creeping through your flooring and into your walls. Even worse, this nuisance is awful for your household’s health, causing a slew of common symptoms that wreak havoc on your respiratory system.
Rapid Plumbing Issues
Everyone needs a professional plumber now and then, but you shouldn’t have to keep one on speed dial! If you’re calling your local plumber for back-to-back appointments to address leaks, it should be a sign that something else is going on.
An expert plumbing contractor should realize that your slab is the hidden culprit, but you should know the warning signs if they miss them. Stopped-up tubs, toilet backups and clogs, and other plumbing issues that recur may indicate that water is seeping upward fast.
Cracks and Buckling
If your slab leak goes on for long enough without plumbing repair, it may start to affect the structure of your home.
As it gets into your flooring and even into your walls, you’ll see signs of water damage in your home’s materials. This may include cracked walls and buckling or sagging floors. You may also notice bubbling paint.
Pooling Water
If you notice water pooling on your bathroom floor when no one’s taken a recent shower, take it as a warning sign. This is especially true if there’s no sign of an indoor leak elsewhere.
Watch for water pooling outdoors as well. If you haven’t had any rain in recent days, there’s no reason why puddles should be forming in your backyard, especially in the areas nearest your home.
Know the Common Slab Leak Signs
No one wants to deal with the hassle and expense of a slab leak, but catching one early can save you a lot of headaches. By knowing the common slab leak signs, you’ll be better poised to seek plumbing solutions sooner rather than later. Sometimes, fast action can save you hundreds or thousands!
If you’ve noticed any of the signs above, it’s time to call the experts at Comfort Now. Our experienced plumbing contractors offer fast and reliable service throughout the Hanford, Visalia, and Porterville areas and beyond. To diagnose your issue and get speedy slab leak repairs, contact us today.