How much does a Slab leak repair cost?
What is a slab leak?
A slab leak in the water pipes under the foundation of the house basically affects the concrete slab that your home is built on. Slab leaks are really dangerous for your home as they can destroy the flooring as well as the walls of a house. Sometimes it can lead to flooding in your basement. It can cause your water bill to increase suddenly.
Also, it should be noted that more than 75% of the slab leak are hot water leaks. It is best to get your slab leak fixed by a licensed professional specializing in leak detection and repair.
Causes of the slab leak
Expansive soil shifts are the primary reason.
Expansive soils can shrink or swell and change in volume according to the changes in the moisture content. The more water they absorb more the volume increases. As the soil moves, it tends to weaken and bend the plumbing connections.
A slow slab leak keeps leaking the water into the ground beneath your home, which creates more expansion. It can cause severe damage to the house by applying the upward pressure put by the water. The leak can cause weakening of the slab and cause cracking in the walls and the slab. In extreme cases, it can also flood the home.
plumbing failure
The failure in the plumbing can be caused by faulty installation, weakened valves, and lines. Sometimes it is due to the chemical reactions of metal in the earth to the metals in the plumbing system.
mostly the pipes, and the material is made up of cast iron steel, copper, or plastic. The Cast iron pipes vibrate lesser than the plastic pipes and are more durable in case of fire. But if the cast iron is not protected, it can be eroded by minerals and the water in the soil. Therefore, nowadays, cast iron pipes are covered with a material coating.
The galvanized steel pipes are more prone to clogging. Steel pipes are also susceptible to rust and buildup. They can last up to 50 years of age.
Copper pipe is used today to supply the water to the kitchen appliances like dishwashers and refrigerators. If copper pipes are used on the ground, they should be protected enough. Their walls should be thick sufficient so that constant flow must not cause holes in the plumbing system.
Plastic pipes are easy to work with and corrosion-resistant. But they tend to vibrate more, and if not fixed properly, they can degrade the structural integrity of the system.
Chloramines are chemicals that can erode the piping systems. Also, there can be abrasion in the pipes due to the expansion and contraction in different weathers.
What influences the cost of the slab leak
Slab leak detection
The cost of detecting a slab leak is around $ 250. however, it depends entirely on how challenging it is to find the location of the leak in the plumbing lines. The professional plumbers inspect the house and also look beneath the foundation where the water lines Run.
Under-slab repair
Depending on the severity of the leak, a repair can cost from around $500 to $4000. the material and the labor cost also depend on the location of your home. The distant and challenging locations can increase the cost significantly.
Slab leak rerouting
if the plumbing pipes are severely damaged, then the plumbers may need to reroute the pipes to avoid the recurrence of the issue. It can cost from around $200 to 1500 dollars depending on the length of the pipe search. Repair does not require much work.
Excavation
sometimes, the fixing of the issue may require the excavation of the place to repair the underground system of plumbing. It can affect the cost of the services depending on the size of the tunnel and whether a part of the plumbing system is to be repaired or the whole.
Broken pipe
burst or broken pipes involves leak through to different sections of the piping. Excess corrosion, extreme pressure, and other factors cause fluctuations in the water pressure causing damages to the floor and walls. The cost of repairing broken pipes can be around $400 to $900.
Need for pouring a new slab foundation
if the damage is extreme enough, and it may require total repiping and need for a new slab. It can add cost and days to the work. It can cost from around $3500 to $8000.
How much would it cost you to get a slab leak repaired?
Repairing a slab leak usually runs within the range of $1520 to even $10,000. It can depend on the conditions of the pipes and water-related damages. However, the different equipment labor involved in the detection and the location can add significantly to your leaking pipe repair cost.
How to avoid and reduce slab leak costs
Slab leaks happen due to the failure of the plumbing lines. If they go undetected for a more extended period, they can Erode full foundation. Repairs can cost thousands of dollars, which is very expensive.
Also, many homeowners insurance policies provide little or no coverage for slab leaks. Therefore, early detection and prevention of leaks are some measures that must be taken on the part of homeowners. There should be timely plumber visits to check the health of your plumbing system.
Also, before you hire the plumber, you must get thorough testing done with specialized equipment before the demolition occurs.
If you notice any new and sudden cracks in your walls, pools of water on the carpet, mold growth, or sounds of running water- it might be a case of a slab leak. You must not wait for any more damage to occur.
Call us and schedule a visit to get in touch with the best leak detection and repair specialists in your region.
