If you have a home in Arizona, it likely has a foundation constructed from a concrete slab. It’s important to know what causes slab leaks and how they are repaired so that you can spot problems quickly and get help from a reliable plumbing company.
Old Pipes
All pipes age and may develop leaks due to wear and tear. Even the strongest lines fail eventually and need to be replaced. As that time draws closer, you will notice repeated leaks caused by the lines becoming thinner. Accumulation of minerals on the inner walls may also increase the chances of erosion over time. As the pipes continue to age, the walls become smaller and eventually develop holes. Aged lines tend to burst and develop leaks, especially if they encounter high water pressure.
Repairs of aging water lines may not solve the leak issue since it can develop at a different spot. This will lead to multiple interferences with your foundation, which weakens the structure of your home. Therefore, the best solution is to call for line replacement.
Ground Movement
Another common cause for a slab leak is the movement of the ground. If you experience tremors, earthquakes, or general shifts in the soil, they may cause a leak. Though some activities may not impact the lines, a significant change will disrupt them. Incidences, such as a shift in the tectonic plates, cause the ground to become unstable, and a portion may move higher or lower. Sometimes, it happens so slowly over time that nobody feels it. When this happens, it may cause the slope or alignment of the pipes to change, especially at the joints. This creates room for water to begin seeping out to the soil around it.
Since the concrete slabs lie on top of the underground pipes, the moisture rises to the structure, and the slab absorbs it. It may not be easy to detect unless the occurrence causes a pipe burst. However, when you notice damp patches on your floor, you need to call for expert help because the damage is serious at this point.
Expansion and Contraction
According to the laws of physics, all matter expands and contracts depending on the temperature. This also applies to your plumbing lines. They expand when it is hot and contract when it is cold. When expansion happens, the fittings may become loose, giving space for water to escape into the ground. It is a common occurrence, especially with hot water pipes. Additionally, the temperature of the hot water contrasts with the cool earth, and if the difference is too high, it can lead to a pipe burst.
We recommend calling a plumber to tighten loose fittings to ensure the water does not leak out. We also advise our clients to have a professional install a protection cover on the hot water pipes. The lining prevents heat loss and ensures the pipe’s exterior remains in the same temperature range as the interior. Covering your pipes reduces the chances of a pipe burst. Nevertheless, this cover is also subject to wear and tear and may need replacement with time.
External Pressure
An important fact that many can forget is that pipes also face pressure from surrounding structures. Since the house’s foundation sits on top of the water lines, the weight of the home lies on the ground beneath it. Therefore, if you have a weak piping system, the pressure may cause it to buckle and consequently cause a pipe to burst. If you have giant trees nearby, they may also spread their roots towards the lines in search of water and minerals and press on the pipes until they get access. This also causes a clog in the water system. The hole can either cause a leak or a pipe burst, and this will depend on the age of the lines. Older lines are subject to bursting because they are more fragile.
If you have weak lines, we recommend replacing them so that you can have new ones that can bear the weight. You should also clear trees that are close to the home since root intrusion may cost you significantly. You can also invest in an underground barrier that prevents roots from getting near the lines.
Chemical Reactions
Many homeowners have underground pipes made of copper. This metal can easily react with substances in the soil, causing them to rust through a process called electrolysis. This decomposition happens when copper interacts with minerals in the ground in the presence of moisture. While it is a natural occurrence, it causes the pipes to decompose over time. You should also know that some areas have a higher mineral level than others, so residents in these areas will experience faster corrosion.
You should also know that pipes react differently depending on the water temperature. Those carrying hot water begin deteriorating from the outside, while those with cold water deteriorate from the inside. When we arrive for inspection and repairs, we check the condition of your pipes to determine the course of action we will take. Extensive corrosion causes the lines to thin and become weaker. Therefore, if we find such a situation, we recommend replacing the underground plumbing. However, if the pipes don’t have severe damage, we repair the weak spot that is causing the leak.
Some Precautions to Take
It is crucial to understand that DIY and unprofessional repairs are not advised. You may only perform a mediocre job at best because you do not have the training and experience of a professional plumber, which risks further damage. Additionally, without professional assistance, you may cause more harm to your foundation while spending a lot of time and money, and you can end up spending even more money to fix the damage that you caused to your foundation. Therefore, the safest way to go is to trust a professional with the process.
Additionally, it is beneficial to schedule regular leak detection services right alongside your home plumbing inspection each year. Leak detection services will enable professionals to spot leaks before they can cause any considerable damage to your home. Slab leaks are considered silent leaks because you will not know that they are even occurring until they are far along. You do not want to wait until there are apparent signs that you have a slab leak because the damage is significant at that point.
Now that you understand what causes slab leaks and how these issues are remediated, you are in the best position to look out for problems and get help quickly to maintain the structural integrity of your home. Our professional plumbers at [company name] have all it takes to fix the matter and ensure your peace of mind. We can also perform leak detection services, so we can spot leaks and get them repaired before they can cause any considerable damage. We offer heating, cooling, and electrical services in addition to taking care of any of your plumbing needs. Talk to our [company name] plumbers for slab leak repairs in Phoenix and surrounding areas today.
