Corroded Pipe (Photo credit: RelentlesslyOptimistic)
Have you suddenly noticed damp spots on your floor or carpets? Have you been experiencing low water pressure lately? Is your utility bill higher than usual? If you answered yes, you could be dealing with a slab leak.
A “slab leak” is what it’s called when the pipes inside or underneath a home’s foundation begin to leak. While these leaks can seem small and insignificant at first, they can lead to significant damage and costly repairs. If left unattended, slab leaks can cause the soil under your home to become saturated, making the floors in your home uneven and slowly sinking your home into the ground.
To prevent your home from suffering such a fate, it’s important to be aware of the primary causes of slab leaks. Below, we discuss just what those are:
Improper Construction
Perhaps the most common cause of slab leaks is improperly installed or poor quality pipes. If your water pipes were kinked, bent, or dented in any way at the time they were installed, the affected areas could become a point of attraction for corrosive chemicals and mineral deposits, causing the pipes to leak and potentially burst. Copper pipes, in particular, are at a higher risk to suffer from corrosion, since they are naturally softer and more vulnerable to the elements.
High Water Pressure
Excessively high water pressure is another one of the more common causes of slab leaks. Whether caused by poor construction or by natural disasters such as an earthquake, high water pressure can degrade the pipes at the joints and/or where the pipes curve; this can lead to massive leaks that threaten the stability of your home’s foundation.
Poor Water Chemistry
In addition to the pressure of your water, you should also be keeping an eye on the pH level of your water. Water that is excessively acidic (identified by blue/green stains in your bathtub/sink and a chorine-like smell) or excessively alkaline can corrode the pipes, leading to potentially irreversible water damage.
Abrasion
Abrasion is another common cause of slab leaks. When pipes, during the regular course of their use, rub against concrete, gravel or other nearby pipes, the constant friction can cause the pipes to gradually wear down and ultimately spring a leak. If the leak isn’t patched up quickly, the entire pipe couldn’t eventually burst.
In all of these cases, you need to contact an expert to assess and remedy the problem. By acting quickly, you could save your home from suffering significant damage and causing you untold expenses in the long run. Your home is important. Be vigilant. Contact the professionals at C&W Plumbing today at 972-395-5993 to discuss your home’s plumbing problems before it’s too late.
