Have you been noticing damp spots on your home’s carpets or flooring? Maybe lower water pressure in the bathroom too? These are all signs of a slab leak.
Slab leaks will cause your home’s utility bills to increase while the excess moisture wreaks havoc on the home’s structure, making it a safety hazard.
Why exactly do slab leaks occur? And why are they more common in Fort Worth? Let’s find out:
Soil pressure and movement
Water pressure alone doesn’t generally cause a slab leak, but the shifting soil does. The foundation of a home tends to move over time due to soil erosion, movement of tectonic plates, or an underground stream.
Excessive rainfall can also lead to slab leaks. Moist soil expands and contracts as it dries. This adds pressure on the foundation of the home, leading to cracks. The water seeps through such cracks, causing slab leaks.
Improper construction
The most common reason for slab leaks to develop is incorrect pipe installation. These pipes are laid out during the construction process. If the pipes get damaged during the process, i.e. a kink, dent, or crack occurs, it can lead to leaks which eventually seep through the home. Such pipes can also burst due to the abrasive properties of the water flowing through it, causing more damage to the home.
Copper pipes are known to be at higher risk since they corrode easily. The compound is naturally softer and more vulnerable to moisture and other elements. Copper pipes are generally laid out in older homes, while newer homes have PVC pipes that are hardwearing.
Inadequate water chemistry
Other than the water pressure in a home, the pH level also affects the plumbing of a home. Highly acidic water or “hard water”, as it is more popularly known, can corrode pipes. Water that’s alkaline in nature can also cause problems.
You can identify acidic water by the stains in your bathroom. Blue or green stains reflect a lower pH level, along with a chlorine smell.
Abrasion
Abrasion can also cause slab leaks. The pipes installed in a home create friction with the gravel and concrete. This eventually leads to accelerated wearing of the pipe, eventually leading to leaks and even broken pipes.
Hot water pipes are more susceptible to such damage since they expand, increasing the surface area in touch with the concrete.
Time is the biggest culprit
The older your home, the likelier you are to experience slab leaks. Older homes either have galvanized steel pipes or copper pipes which aren’t as durable as the pipes produced today. Such pipes are more likely to experience corrosion, eventually leads to leaks.
If you suspect a slab leak in your home, get in touch with our plumbers at Pro Serve Plumbing. We provide slab leak repair in Fort Worth along with water slab leak detection. We also provide emergency plumbing services. Call +1-817-244-0614 to book a service.
