Slab leaks can be caused by a variety of things, including outside influences like significant ground movement from rainfall as well as inside leaks.
If your home has a slab leak, you may be at risk of serious issues. Slab leaks can be hazardous, and a costly issue for your home, but if you ignore them, they’ll only worsen. Diagnosing if your home has a slab leak is not something the average person can do without the help of a professional, but if you’re finding damp spots, can hear running water under your floor, or if your water bill has had a sudden increase — its time to call a plumber.
What Is A Slab Leak?
Slab leaks can be caused by a variety of things, including outside influences like significant ground movement from rainfall as well as inside leaks. During rainfall, the ground beneath your home can expand while wet and then will shrink as it drys. Because concrete is not a breathable material, this expansion and contraction can cause breaks and cracks. From the interior of your home, a number of factors can contribute to slab leaks, including bathrooms, clothes dryers, and even cooking.
Why Should You Care?
When you have an untreated slab leak, you’ll begin to have a few minor problems, and then they will rapidly expand out. If left untreated, the end result is that you will be out a significant amount of money, and you and your loved ones will be at risk. To start, you’ll begin to notice that your monthly water bills will increase in price significantly. Next, you might start to notice your utilities go up as well; as the humidity within your home increases, you’ll be leaning harder on your HVAC unit to make up the difference as humidity can have a dramatic effect on both heat and cold. Over time the moisture and water within your home will lead to the perfect conditions for the growth of mold and mildew, leading to health risks and odor problems. Finally, with the increased pressure and deteriorating soil quality, your foundation will begin to be compromised, potentially leading to the need for extensive repairs.
All of Your Plumbing Needs from Master Plumbing
Give Master Plumbing a call at (301) 650-9100 or contact us online to get more information on how our expert plumbers can help you with your dripping faucet (or just about anything else plumbing related!). We have received Angie’s List Super Service Award recognition for plumbing and drain cleaning every year since 2007, in addition to the Best Plumber award from Best of Bethesda. We are fully licensed, bonded, and insured, and our service is unparalleled. Give us a call today—you won’t regret it! To see examples of our projects, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.