Expert Slab Leak Repair Services in San Diego, CA

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Slab Leak Repair

Slab leaks aren’t fun. At Bill Howe, we know this, and we’re committed to getting you back up and running as soon as possible. If your home or business has a slab leak, it’s important to take care of it ASAP. Over time, a slab leak can cause costly water damage, so early detection is the key to preventing a major headache. We specialize in detecting and repairing slab leaks, so if you’re concerned that you may have one, call us right away.

The Hidden Costs of Slab Leaks

Slab leaks don’t just cause water damage to your home; they also have a significant environmental impact. When there’s a leak in your home’s foundation, a substantial amount of water is wasted. Water costs keep rising in Southern California, so addressing slab leaks promptly is essential to avoid not only a hefty water bill but also to conserve precious water resources. Take care of any potential leaks immediately to protect both your home and the environment.

Our Commitment to Leak Detection and Repair

At Bill Howe, we aim to help you avoid dealing with the repercussions of ignoring slab leaks. If you think you have an ongoing water leak, we offer leak detection services to pinpoint the exact location.

We understand that any plumbing repair can be a hassle. However, a slab leak can become a disaster if left unchecked. That’s why it’s essential to call a seasoned slab leak repair specialist from Bill Howe. We aim to make the situation as stress-free as possible. We offer a variety of solutions, including minimally invasive trenchless slab leak repairs.

What Is A Slab Leak?

A slab leak is a leak in the copper water lines that run below the foundation of your home. Similar leaks occur above ground in walls or ceilings and are called pinhole leaks. These leaks are usually the result of long-term corrosion of your copper pipes, and they can cause major damage to walls, hardwood flooring, carpeting, drywall, and anything else in your house. In fact, any damage to your slab compromises the structural integrity of your entire house.

What Causes Slab Leaks?

Signs and symptoms of a slab leak can vary depending on the location, severity, and whether the leak is coming from the hot or cold line. Below are some other signs that it’s time to call Bill Howe for concrete slab leak repair.

Hot or Warm Spots Discovered on the Floor

One of the most common signs is warm spots on floors. These warm spots can occur in any room and indicate a slab leak in a hot water line. Be sure to call us at the first sign of a hot or warm spot on the floor. A hot spot can turn into a damp or wet floor quickly, which leads to a host of problems caused by water damage.

Check Your Water Bill

Higher than average water bills can be a sign of a slab leak. If you notice your water bill has spiked without explanation, getting a Bill Howe professional technician on site with detection equipment should be your first priority. Stopping these leaks early is key to limiting the damage they can cause.

If You See Mold or Mildew

Mold and mildew is nasty stuff. It can develop especially easily in corners where carpet, wood or other absorbent material is present. Water moisture from a slab leak can cause mold and mildew to develop before the leak is noticed. Mold and mildew have a distinct musty smell, which you also might notice, even if you can’t visually detect it.

Mold can cause health problems, so it’s important to get it taken care of as soon as possible. At Bill Howe, we can fix your slab leak and repair the damage from mold and mildew, so call us for slab leak service in San Diego as soon as you see or smell a problem.

If You Hear Running Water

The sound of running water, trickling, or hissing can also indicate a slab leak. Due to how sound travels in structures, it’s often hard to pinpoint exactly where the sound is coming from. If you hear one of these sounds and suspect a leak, the best idea is to get a Bill Howe professional out to locate the source.

Our slab leak experts have a wealth of knowledge and experience with detecting and repairing slab leaks in San Diego, and you’re always in good hands with Bill Howe. Remember that the longer you wait to deal with a slab leak, the worse it will get.

We care about our customers and don’t want you paying high water bills or having to conduct large home restoration projects. However, if the situation arises, you can trust us to handle your slab repair and reconstruction with care for your property and your wallet.

Drains are Constantly Clogged

If the pipes are constantly clogged, it’s not just frustrating and messy—it can also signify a slab leak. When the buildup of grease, hair, food particles, and other debris is stuck in the pipes, it causes water to back up, leading to a leak through the pipes. All the water pressure takes its toll on pipes, causing them to crack, fittings to fail, and seals to break. So when the pipes underneath your concrete slab start to decompose and break down, they will leak.

Cracks are Appearing in the Walls, Ceiling, or Baseboard

Small cracks above your windows, doors, or baseboards don’t always imply a slab leak. However, if you notice the cracks widening, call us for professional slab leak repair.

Lower Water Pressure Than Normal

Is it taking you forever to rinse the shampoo from your hair in the shower? Is the dishwasher taking forever to fill with water? When water is leaking from a broken pipe underneath your property’s slab, it can greatly reduce the water pressure in a plumbing system.

Precise Electronic Leak Detection Services

Challenges of Detecting Slab Leaks

Unfortunately, detecting a slab leak isn’t as simple as it sounds and is best handled by a professional. Customers often ask us if slab leaks can be detected using thermal imaging or moisture detection tools. While these tools are useful for detecting the presence of moisture caused by a potential slab leak, they lack the precision needed to pinpoint where a slab leak actually is. A matter of a few inches in either direction can have a significant effect on the repair method needed.

Advantages of Electronic Leak Detection

Bill Howe uses electronic slab leak detection equipment to precisely locate the source of the leak. Electronic leak detection works much better than sonar or other tools. Our slab leak plumbers use location equipment to listen for the leak, which has distinct sound features from general running water.

Repair Estimates and Solutions

Once a Bill Howe slab leak plumber has located the problem, they’ll provide a repair estimate. There are several options for dealing with slab leaks, but it’s important to choose the right one for your circumstances. In many instances, it’s possible to directly repair the affected pipe, while sometimes a whole home solution is necessary to prevent future leaks and ensure your home’s water supply is in top shape. We can help you decide what’s right for you and your home. If we do find a slab leak in your home, we’ll let you know exactly where the leak is and provide you with repair options to help you avoid major costs in the future.

How We Fix Slab Leaks

Bill Howe’s concrete slab leak repair specialists know how to detect and fix a concrete slab leak right the first time. Once we detect a slab leak, our plumber will make recommendations for repair.

Repair Methods

Direct Slab Leak Repair

Direct slab leak repair is the least expensive option and is usually covered by homeowners’ insurance. Direct slab leak repair involves opening the floor and making a repair to the affected pipe. This is done by cutting the problem section of pipe and installing a new section, then backfilling the hole.

If the slab leak is underneath hardwood, laminate flooring or carpet, many insurance companies will cover the costs to put the floor back to pre-leak condition. One thing to note is that direct slab leak repair is covered by a 30-day warranty, but many plumbers will advise that another leak along the problem pipe is likely.

Rerouting Repair

Rerouting can be another option for dealing with a slab leak. This method involves terminating the leaking line and then rerouting it above the slab foundation. Depending on the location of the water line, reroutes can be done through walls, behind cabinets, or on the exterior of the home or business. It’s worth noting that because reroutes are usually only conducted on the problem water line, if there is a remaining line under the slab, it can also develop a leak in the future.

Re-piping Repair

Re-piping all water lines on the property is the most recommended method of slab leak repair, but also the most expensive and sometimes not covered by homeowners’ insurance. In this scenario, all water lines are re-piped behind walls, cabinets, or to the exterior of the building. The advantage of this method is that pipe leaks are much easier and less costly to deal with in the future. A whole home re-pipe is like a reroute but more extensive.

Trenchless Slab Leak Repair

Many homeowners prefer the trenchless slab leak repair method because, unlike some other methods, it does not require demolition. Talk with our slab leak repair specialist to find out if it’s a suitable solution for your property.

Special Cases

There are times when rerouting the water supply or re-piping are the only options, such as when slab leaks are located underneath a post-tension slab foundation. In this case, because of the build, it’s not an option to go through the foundation to make a direct repair.

San Diego's Trusted Source for Slab Leak Repair

You can trust us for all your plumbing needs. If you think there’s a slab leak in your home or business, contact Bill Howe for our expert leak detection services. We’ll help you understand what you’re dealing with and your options for repair. Our highly trained and certified plumbers will make recommendations and provide estimates to help with insurance claims.

Bill Howe also offers water damage restoration and reconstruction services to help put your home or business back to pre-leak condition or better! Bill Howe Restoration & Flood also works directly with insurance companies for all water mitigation and reconstruction services, taking the stress from you.

With over 43 years of plumbing experience in San Diego, you can trust Bill Howe as your slab leak repair expert. If you suspect you have a slab leak, don’t wait. Contact us now at Call 1-800 BILL-HOWE.

FAQs

How much does a slab leak repair cost?

Slab leak repair costs in San Diego can vary depending on the severity and location of the leak and any damage already caused. Rest assured that you’ll be given the best options that suit your unique needs.

How to prevent slab leaks?

Most homes in San Diego that are more than 30 years old will experience a slab leak at some point. Water pressure that is too high or constantly fluctuating also leads to plumbing fixture leaks in toilets, faucets, showers, and hose faucets. Pressure regulators and thermal expansion tanks are preventative plumbing measures that can help with high water pressure, and they are now required by the Uniform Plumbing Code. If you have an older home, Bill Howe can install and replace pressure regulators to help prevent a costly plumbing slab leak.

Start Checking Things Off That Home Improvement List With Our Flexible Financing Options

If you want to upgrade your plumbing, HVAC equipment or have an unexpected repair, Bill Howe offers financing solutions that get you the services you need when you need them. Financing is available for a variety of services and products including equipment and installation, maintenance and repairs. Plus, you’ll find flexible, budget-friendly options to fit your individual needs.