What are Slab Leaks?
Slab leaks consider as a major problem that you usually come across. This is the occurrence of water leaks underneath a concrete slab. So, in this case, you should focus on properly understand the causes of the leaks.
This will help you to detect one and understand the reasons why these leaks can be hazardous for your house. Also, whenever you come such issues, you should always focus on opting for the best services related to slab leak repair Riverside.
Common slab leak problems
Before knowing the hazardous or dangerous effects of slab leaks, you should understand why this problem is becoming common these days.
This type of slab leaks mainly occurs due to the clay beneath the foundation. Both the shifting as well as heaving of the soils contributes to putting a huge amount of pressure on the slab. This again tends to cause heaving, shifting, and cracking.
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In this case, the main cause is the many types of clays. Also, the clay shrinks on drying and expands on wetting. Therefore, this can be regarded as the cause of this major problem.
Structural Damage
These particular leaks tend to weaken the foundation of the house. This is applicable for both steel and concrete ones. Due to the exertion of huge water pressure, it can often result in a foundation shift which can crack and break up.
Also, these leaks are even more dangerous for the houses which were built over 30 years ago. This is because the foundations of the old houses were concrete slabs.
Not only that, but these particular houses were built with copper piping for water plumbing. This can prove to be dangerous. So, if you are living in an old house, then it is very important to identify these leaks at the beginning.
Otherwise, this can lead to a severe issue. Your foundation can be severely damaged as a result of slab leaks. You will end up spending a lot of money and time to repair the damages. Check it out, if you want to know more.
Health Hazards
This is known to be one of the potential dangers caused by the leaks. If the water stands for a long in your house, then it becomes a breeding ground for the molds. These molds grow and infect your home slowly.
The molds are known to adversely affect the health of human beings. Breathing in the mold for a longer period leads to respiratory problems.
Not only that, but there will be the occurrence of rotting which can even cause more serious issues. As a result, the slab leaks ultimately result in a damp environment.
When the mold grows, it can even cause many other problems such as coughing, wheezing, and other respiratory conditions.
The effect can be more severe for children and infants. But, the best thing is that you would be able to detect and handle the slab leaks with the help of an expert.
Slab leaks: Other Issues
The slab leaks often result in the spread of foul odor in your entire house. In case, the leakage is in a sewage line, then the smell emitted will be of the sewage.
When the water enters the structure of your home, it will cause cracks in the tiles and floors. Another thing experienced is the soaking carpets.
Sometimes the leaks coming from the pipes underneath the yard can ruin and flood the grass. Again, this water will eventually damage the pools, the bricks, the concrete walkways along the other landscape elements.
The backbone of the entire building considers the foundation of your house. Slab leaks are responsible for weakening the structural foundation of your house.
It also severely affects the integrity of the steel and concrete supports. Finally, the water pressure will shift the foundation and thereby, resulting in the fall down of the building.
Due to the above-mentioned reasons, you should always take slab leaks seriously. So, whenever you see any leaks in your house, then you should always call emergency services related to slab leak repair Riverside.
FAQs Related To Slab Leaks
How Common Are Slab Leaks?
If you see the accumulation of damp spots on your carpets or flood, then you should always focus on identifying the source. This can be due to slab leaks. So, the slab leaks are considered to be common in conditions where there has been improper construction.
Not only that, but this particular issue also arises due to external pressure which has contributed to hugely impact the pipes. This external pressure can come specifically in the form of soil erosion, an underground stream, or an earthquake.
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If you are living in any area which is prone to these risks, then you should consult with a professional and licensed plumber. Some other reasons for slab leaks include abrasion, poor quality, and chemistry of water and time.
What Causes Slab Leaks?
There are many different causes of slab leaks. Often, it occurs due to a faulty installation in the concrete, possible contraction or expansion by the concrete which contributes to cause damage in the pipe. Other than that, the leak may also result from internal corrosion.
Some of the times, leaks can be occurred due to the decontaminants in the water supply.
This leads to the corrosion of copper pipes which is considered to be one of the most commonly installed pipes.
How To Find Leaks Under Slab?
You can employ diverse methods for finding or detecting slab leaks. Sometimes, the plumbers will let you know about the source of a leak just by observation. But, most of the time, it is very difficult to find leaks under the slab.
In this case, you can employ electronic sound detection devices for detecting leak sounds coming out of the slab.
Also, sometimes, they use to detect the leak position scanners or line tracing equipment.
Are Homeowners Insurance Cover Slab Leaks ?
Homeowners’ insurance generally covers various types of perils. In most cases, a slab leak is covered in it. After you have identified the slab leak, you will need to find the cause of the leak.
Next, you need to make the essential repairs for effectively controlling this, so that, it does not result in any further damage. While waiting for filing your claim, you will require to document the damage and clean the particular spot for the prevention of mold growth.
So, in most cases, your homeowner’s insurance will specifically cover the cost of repairing your slab and other structural aspects of your house.
But, the insurance does not cover repairs to the plumbing. Again, the homeowner’s insurance will not cover the slab leaks, if they had occurred due to general wear and tear. In this case, this will be listed as a maintenance issue.
What Do You Do If You Have A Slab Leak?
If you found a slab leak in your house, then you should focus on repairing the issue. Although this process is messy, complex, and costly, this situation should be addressed immediately.
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So, in this case, it is highly recommended to seek the help of a professional plumbing service provider.
Therefore, the first step is to identify the location of the leak and the next one is to prepare for the hazardous conditions. Also, you should be ready with the right tools and equipment. The final step is to contact a plumbing expert for further assistance.
Final Words
So, it is evident from the above-mentioned section that the slab leaks can be very dangerous to your home if it is not addressed immediately.
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Author Bio:-
Angela is a marketing manager at EZ Plumbing USA. She loves to write about plumbing services, Water Damage Repair, slab leak repair, Hydro Jetting and AC & Appliance Installation San Diego.
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