Slab leaks can lead to more severe problems and should be repaired as soon as possible. The leakage can cause hardwood floors to warp and contribute to mildew growth. Depending on the cause of the leak, seasoned plumbers can use appropriate slab leak repair options to solve the problem fast.
The following are the slab leak solutions your plumber can recommend:
Plumbing System Repiping
Repiping the entire plumbing system is one of the preferred slab leak repair options. The age of the pipes and the type of pipe material will help professionals determine if repiping is the best option for your home.
Consider the following average lifespans:
- Copper piping (50 years and more)
- Galvanized steel pipes (20 to 50 years)
- Cast iron pipes (75 to 100 years)
- Brass piping (40 to 70 years)
- PVC, CPVC, PEX and other plastic pipes (indefinite)
If the pipes in your home are near the end of their lifespans, plumbing specialists will recommend a replacement. A whole-house repiping provides a cost-effective long-term solution.
Pipe Rerouting
Pipe rerouting is one of the efficient slab leak repair options your plumber can recommend. New entry and exit points will be made for your pipes, avoiding the slab entirely. Certain factors will come into play when rerouting pipes, including the size of your home and the current building codes.
You don’t need to remove old pipes with this method, which can save you labor costs. In addition, there’s no need to dig under the slab or break off some portions since you won’t need to access the old pipes. On top of this, repiping can improve the plumbing efficiency in your home.
Spot Repair
Spot repair provides a cost-efficient solution to slab leaks. This option works if you’re dealing with only a single leak and there’s easy access to the problem area. This process involves hacking into the specific part of the concrete slab where the leak is coming.
Many opt for spot repair as it’s one of the preferred solutions for commercial establishments because it’s minimally invasive and allows the company to continue operations. However, this solution may not be available for some homes, especially if it completely disrupts the water supply. It all depends on how the piping system was designed in a house.
Further, in some cases, if the pipes are very old, spot repair only provides a short-term solution. It can temporarily fix leaks, but there’s no guarantee that the issue will return due to the poor condition of the other pipes. In such situations, it’s best to try out the other options mentioned here.
Pipe Lining
If your plumber discovers pin holes in the pipes causing the slab leaks, pipe lining can be recommended as a cost-effective solution. Pin-holed pipes are minor issues that can be solved efficiently using non-toxic epoxy coatings. This solution is best-suited for copper pipes and sewer lines under the slab.
Trenchless Plumbing Repair
Trenchless sewer repair is an effective solution for leaking sewer lines under the slab. Any issue with your home’s sewer lines should be considered a severe problem. It can be caused by a blockage or maybe a damaged pipe.
This method allows plumbers to replace old sewer lines in your home without digging trenches. They don’t need to remove sections of your foundation, walls or flooring.
After locating the problem areas in your piping system, plumbers will insert a resin pipe, replacing the damaged portions. The newly inserted tube will then be left to cure. Once cured, the freshly inserted line will harden and become a permanent pipe.
This solution is easy to perform and can be completed within the day. The process requires very minimal digging, which means there will be little to no damage to your property. In addition, it costs only a fraction of what you’ll pay for traditional slab leak repair.
However, the big drawback of this option is that you can’t do it in every home. This is because old corroded pipes can’t withstand resin pipe insertion.
Use Seasoned Plumbers
Do you need to know the best option to repair the slab leak in your home? At Plano Plumbing & Leak Detection, we have experienced plumbers who have proudly served hundreds of residents since 1990.
Our specialists can investigate the leak, determine the cause and recommend the most suitable and cost-effective solution for your home or business. Speak to one of our consultants today by calling 972-672-8616 or fill out this form to get a quote.
