So, What is a Slab Leak After All?

If you’re a resident of a city in Orange County, California – like Irvine, Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, or Dana Point – your home is probably built on a concrete slab foundation. Unlike houses in other parts of the country, that are built above a basement or a crawl space, our homes are built directly above the earth’s surface. Because of this unique design, our plumbing runs directly below our homes, and a break in plumbing lines could cause water to seep inside of your home and ruin your foundation. This is known in the plumbing industry as a “slab leak” and can become a plumbing emergency nightmare!

 

And, How Do I Know If I Have a Slab Leak?

When it comes to detecting slab leaks, the benefits of being proactive far outweigh the problems of having to replace a rotted floor. Or even worse, repour a foundation. At bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of Orange County, we have compiled a Top 5 list of the most common signs you might have a slab leak.

1.) High Water Bills

Have your water bills been unusually high without much change in your normal routine? And no, we are not talking about the recent rate increases in Southern California. A high water bill indicates an increase in your home’s water usage. Higher consumption without a significant change in your normal routine could mean that a water line is leaking below your home. If your water bills seem to be abnormally high, pay attention to see if you also have the other signs below. You might have a slab leak!

2.) Hot Spots on the Floor

Do you notice that one of your rooms is extra warm or humid? Or maybe you notice warm spots on the floor in your home? This could be an indication of a slab leak in the hot water line where hot water accumulates and causes hot spots on the floor. If you are noticing this, you could have a slab leak. Pick up the phone and call us today before the problem accelerates.

3.) Water Pools Near the Foundation

If you have a water leak below your home, the excess water needs to accumulate somewhere. Take a walk around the perimeter of your home and look for pools of water near your home’s foundation. If you notice excess water build up or even excess moss or mud around your foundation, this could indicate that you have a slab leak.

4.) Cracking Walls or Ceilings

Although small cracks in your walls or on your ceiling will happen over time, new cracks that appear suddenly could be an indication of a much larger plumbing problem. When the earth shifts, us Californians are used to that, your concrete slab can also move and cause cracks in the walls and ceiling of your home. Many times, these slab shifts can also break plumbing lines below your home and cause a plumbing emergency.

5.) Sounds of Running Water

If you constantly hear running water, it could be a good indication of a slab leak in the concrete foundation below your home. The sound of running water, even when all of your home’s water fixtures are in the off position, is a key indicator that you have a slab leak.
 

I Think I Have a Slab Leak, What Should I Do?

While the 5 signs of a slab leak outlined above are good indicators to keep an eye on, a professional diagnosis is the solution. Many of the symptoms described in this article could quite possibly be indicators of other problems as well. The only trusted way to properly diagnose a water leak is to contact a trusted and professional Orange County plumber. The staff at bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of Orange County has over 100 years of combined experience detecting and diagnosing water leaks. We have the proper equipment and know how to help you correct the problem quickly and effectively.
In addition, bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of Orange County is an expert in slab leak detection and repair. In fact, we are one of the only Orange County emergency plumbers that has the proper personnel and equipment to diagnose such problem.