Slab Leak Detection and Repair Services in Dallas, Plano and Rockwall, TX
Repairing a water leak under a slab is a common plumbing need around the Dallas, TX area. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that 10% of homes have leaks that waste 90 gallons of water per day. That type of leak can quickly add up, especially if you don’t even know the leak exists. No matter what type of home you live in or how old it may be, Staggs Plumbing can detect your slab leak with pinpoint precision and provide comprehensive, effective repairs.
I recommend Staggs Plumbing 100%
Our expert plumbers are skilled at diagnosing and fixing all types of slab leaks, and with our state-of-the-art tools, you can always count on us to get the job done right the first time!
Those are just some of the reasons why we’ve earned an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau—and why we’re a top-rated plumbing company in Dallas and nearby areas!
How Do Dallas Homes Develop Slab Leaks?
In the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex area, most homes rest on a slab. The word slab refers to the concrete pad that your house was built on. Slab construction is durable, and it offers benefits when it comes to insulation, home comfort, and energy use, but slabs can be susceptible to movement and damage, especially when it comes to local soil and weather conditions.
In North Texas, the soil is very absorbent due to high clay content. Clay absorbs water easily and expands following absorption. So, during periods of heavy rainfall or high humidity, the ground underneath your slab can:
- Suck up a lot of water
- Expand and push upwards against your slab
During the dry, hot Dallas summers, the water-filled clay beneath your home starts to dry out. As the clay dries, it shrinks, and portions of your slab can move or sink. This puts pressure on the plumbing lines that run underneath and beside your slab, as well as those in your home’s foundation. Over time, especially as pipes age, this slab movement can damage pipes and cause foundation leaks.
Slab Leak Detection
Slab leaks are generally caused by a problem in one of three common plumbing lines:
- Drain and sewer lines: Your sewer and drain lines remove waste from your bathrooms, washing machines, and kitchen.
- Pipes that supply your home with cold water: Cold water supply lines run into your home from the street, and may also run under your slab.
- Lines running from your water heater: Water heater lines move hot water from your water heater to different spots throughout your home.
Because these leaks occur underground, often under the slab, they can release water for some time before they are detected. An expert Dallas plumber at Staggs Plumbing knows where to look to quickly spot a leak that was caused by slab movement.
How to Spot a Slab Leak at Your Dallas Home
Some common signs that your Dallas-area home has a slab leak include:
- A constantly running water heater: Does your water heater run when no hot water is being used? This is a sign that you could have a foundation leak. After using a lot of hot water, your water heater will run momentarily to fill the empty pipes. However, it should not be running continually.
- A constantly running water meter: If you see your water meter moving and no water is being used, there could be a leak somewhere. It may or may not be a slab leak, and in any case, you should call a plumber ASAP.
- Warm spots on floors: A warm spot on your floor could be an indication that a water heater supply line has burst.
- Damp areas on or moldy smells coming from flooring: When this occurs in an area of your home that is seldom used, like a storage room, a closet, or the basement, the problem can go undetected for some time.
- Sounds of running water: If you periodically hear water running through pipes when no water is being used, this could be an indication that you need a slab leak repaired.
- Cracks in your floors and walls: These can be signs that your home’s foundation is settling. These could also be telltale signs of a slab leak.
How Can We Help?
- Slab Leaks
- Clogged Drains
- Gas Leaks
- Sewer Line Repair
- Leak Detection
- Sewer Line Cleaning
- Water Heaters
- Kitchen Plumbing
- Bathroom Plumbing
- Burst Pipe Repair
- Emergency Service
Slab Leak Repair Service
At Staggs Plumbing, our experienced plumbers use sensitive, cutting-edge listening devices to “hear” air flowing from your leaky pipe. To do this, we will:
- Shut off your home’s water supply
- Force air into your lines to remove standing water
- Listen for the sound of air flowing out of damage pipes in order to detect the location of the leak
Our time-tested process, backed by our innovative tools and years of expertise, give our plumbers everything they need to quickly and accurately locate your slab leak. We are committed to bringing you the peace of mind that comes with knowing your slab leaks have been expertly repaired and your home’s foundation is no longer at risk.
How Much Do Slab Leak Repairs Cost?
The cost of slab leak repair depends on several factors, including the:
- Number of leaks present.
- Location of the leaks and damaged pipes.
- Nature and condition of your home’s foundation.
Generally, multiple slab leaks — and slab leaks that are more difficult to access — can incur higher repair costs. However, it’s important to remember that slab leaks:
- Will get worse over time, further driving up repair costs
- Can cause damage to your home’s foundation the longer they go unrepaired
A leak even just a dime thick can waste up to 6,300 gallons of water per month. When you put that in perspective, the cost of repairs is a no brainer.
Will My Insurance Pay for Slab Leak Repair?
Many homeowner’s insurance policies do cover slab leak repair.If yours does:
- You may only need to cover the deductible and, depending on your policy, the pipe repair costs. A pipe repair by itself usually runs a few hundred dollars.
- Your insurer will likely cover the bulk of the costs, including the expenses associated with tunneling, excavation, leak detection, etc.
If you’re not sure whether your homeowners policy covers slab leak repair, contact Staggs Plumbing to first determine whether you’re dealing with a slab leak. Then, contact your insurance agent to ask about the specifics of your coverage and what it’ll cover for slab leak service needs.