Slab Leak Detection & Repair - FlowGuard Gold Plumbing Systems Repipe

Have A Slab Leak? We Have A Solution!

When water pipes located under your home’s concrete foundation (or “slab”) develops a leak, releasing water directly under the foundation, it can be a one-off occurrence or a sign that the network of water pipes running underneath your home has deteriorated and is beginning to fail. The symptoms of a slab leak include:

  • High water bills without visible leaks
  • Damp or wet flooring
  • Warm spots on the floor
  • Moldy smells
  • Running water sounds

If left unaddressed, a slab leak can cause significant damage to floors and walls and even shifting or cracking of the foundation.

Many clients have a single slab leak repaired through a traditionally recommended method of breaking the floor with a jackhammer to access the pipes. This repair method addresses the single leak but leaves the rest of the failing pipe to fail later. Homeowners have a traditional slab repair performed only to experience a series of leaks over the coming months and years due to the underlying condition of the pipe.

Plumbing Express offers a range of options to address the slab leak problem including leak detection, spot slab repairs, and repipe of the first floor. A first floor repipe bypasses all the water supply pipes in your slab ensuring that you won’t have another slab leak in the future.

Call us at (678) 439-9540 for professional slab leak detection & repair services you can count on. One of our friendly plumbers will be glad discuss the best options for your home.

BYPASS PLUMBING IN THE SLAB VS. SLAB LEAK SPOT REPAIR

In many cases, a slab leak indicates all the slab pipes have reached a point of failure. Repairing a slab leak can be a “Whack-a Mole” solution that is costly, invasive and does not solve the problem. We recommend bypassing slab pipes through our proven method of repiping, the First Floor Repipe™. 

We believe bypassing bad slab pipe and re-routing new pipes vertically is the best option for homeowners because it is a permanent solution. We are able to provide a substantial warranty on this type pipe of re-routing because a completely new pipe is installed, and the entire defective pipe beneath the slab is eliminated from the plumbing system.

First Floor Repipe™ by Plumbing Express involves the following:

  • Transferable Labor & Materials Warranty
  • Quick turn-key process (includes drywall patching & paint)
  • Insurance may help off-set the cost of the work
  • Water restored to the home at the end of each work day
  • Peace of mind knowing you won’t have another slab leak ever
  • The best materials and W2 employees who know their stuff
  • Flexible payment options

Our free inspection will determine if your slab is leaking at all, and yield a First Floor Repipe™ estimate as a solution. Call us today at (678) 439-9540 for your free slab leak inspection. 

Over 1,500 reviews on Google & Yelp

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Joy Barnes
November 24, 2024

Jason was a God-send. He showed me what as wrong, and why, and completed the fix in short order.Y’all are now on my speed-dial for any and all my plumbing issues.

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Susan Cohn
November 23, 2024

Ivan was my project manager and throughout the process of Repiping , he was always available, responded and resolved every concern in a timely manner and made the process go smoothly. I highly recommend him and the entire company for your plumbing needs.

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Baily Barber
November 22, 2024

Fast, effective, and friendly service. Antonio did a great job!

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Brandon Bernuy
November 22, 2024

Quick response time. Daniel was very friendly and knowledgeable of the issue. Installed the controller my tankless water heater was missing.

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Jerred Wilson
November 21, 2024

Mr. Anderson and his team provided excellent service. They were knowledgeable about products and helped us select the right unit based on our needs. Highly recommended!

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Jennifer Martin
November 20, 2024

Rod did an excellent job fixing my leaking shower faucet and replacing my kitchen faucet. He was on time, professional, and did a great job explaining the process, pricing, and scheduling.

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L Cornwall
November 19, 2024

Fast, friendly professional service

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Nicole James
November 18, 2024

Both Anthony and Dave were fantastic in helping us with our tankless water heater. There was great communication throughout the process, they were timely, and politely answered our many questions. Should the occasion arise in the future, we would absolutely reach out to Plumbing Express again!

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Andrew Cantrell
November 18, 2024

The Plumbing Express folks fixed a leaking drain line inside a wall for me a few weeks ago and only when we went to replace the Sheetrock did we realize that the repair sleeves were too wide to fit the new sheetrock. I called PE and Daniel came out within an hour to troubleshoot and found the right fix for us in less than an hour, so my Sheetrock contractor could get straight back to work. Appreciate how fast and effective Daniel was helping get my project back on track.

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Colby Pittman
November 18, 2024

Daniel Edwards was very professional, patient, and thorough.

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Suncererae Smith
November 16, 2024

This was a good experience. Jason did a great job at explaining what the problem was and how he was going to fix it. I am no longer having the issue and that is much appreciated. Thanks

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Michelle Park
November 16, 2024

Mr. Rod was naturally kind and considerate, and as a professional, he patiently explained everything step by step. Meeting him was a special experience. It’s a blessing to have Plumbing Express in our neighborhood. Thank you.

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John H
November 15, 2024

I am so glad I know about Plumbing Express. I hired them several years ago for a major plumbing job and they’ve been my go-it company ever since. This time, I needed them to find the source of excessive water consumption reported by my utility. Dave T came out, asked me a few questions and quickly found the problem within about 10 minutes. (Since it turned out to be with the sprinkler system, I’ll have them do the repair.) The diagnostic fee was completely reasonable. I will not hesitate to call Plumbing Express again if I have any troubles in the future.

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Marilyn Holcombe
November 15, 2024

Ed came at the appointed time and was very interested to find the problem with moisture in my slab. He offered suggestions to us to possibly handle the situation after determining there was no water leak. Very professional.

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Ruth D
November 15, 2024

Daniel came out right away and fixed the problem. Plumbing express installed our hot water heater and have been very responsive with any questions or issues we have had.

Independently Owned & Operated

Why Choose Plumbing Express?

Our plumbers help protect the health and comfort of our clients when hot water supplies are out, piping systems deteriorate, and drains don’t work.

We offer a direct road to appropriate, complete solutions through excellent home plumbing in the Metro Atlanta area. Thorough estimates are available during our regular business hours and all consultations, inspections, repairs and installations are fulfilled with friendly service.

Working with us means you are served by a locally owned company and by a knowledgeable, dedicated staff whom are passionate about plumbing.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is a slab leak?

    A slab leak refers to a leak in the water pipes located beneath the concrete foundation (or “slab”) of a home or building. These leaks can occur in the pipes that carry water to or from the house, typically as a result of corrosion, shifting soil, or poor installation. Since the pipes are beneath the slab, these leaks can be difficult to detect and may cause significant damage if left untreated.

    Slab leaks are a serious issue because they can lead to structural damage, mold growth, and foundation problems, so early detection and repair are important.

  • How common are slab leaks?

    Slab leaks are relatively common in the United States, particularly in older homes with concrete slab foundations. While they can be challenging to detect, they have the potential to cause serious damage to your home’s foundation and lead to higher water bills.

  • Should I call a leak detection company before I call a plumber?

    We recommend calling a plumber before calling a leak detection company. Plumbers can help you evaluate the situation and can conduct isolation tests to confirm the leak is indeed under the slab.

    We do refer to multiple leak detection partners during specific situations where determining all the slab leak locations is warranted for the homeowner to gain peace of mind before deciding to bypass the slab.

  • How do pipes under the slab start to leak?

    After a pipe has deteriorated significantly small holes can develop from weak points across the pipe. Water will begin to seep out of these holes. The small holes grow larger over time resulting in a leak that can be visible in the floor or outside the foundation.

  • What are some signs of a slab leak?

    Signs of a slab leak can sometimes be subtle, but if left unchecked, they can lead to significant damage. Here are common indicators that you might have a slab leak:

    • Increased water bill without other signs of a leak
    • Moisture or seepage on the 1st floor
    • Leaking water outside the foundation.
    • Warm spots on the floor
    • Moldy smells
    • Running water sounds

    If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to contact a professional plumber to investigate the issue before a potential slab leak causes further damage to your home.

  • Why is rerouting plumbing lines in a slab foundation the best option?

    Rerouting plumbing lines in a slab foundation is a repair method for slab leaks that involves redirecting pipes around the damaged area. This approach is often ideal when only a small section of pipe is affected or when the pipes are difficult to access because they are encased in concrete. Rerouting is typically less expensive and less disruptive than other repair options, and it can also make the pipes more accessible for future maintenance.

    Slab repairs or “spot” repair amounts to patching a defective pipe. These are short-term to medium term solutions at best. Plus, spot repairs are fixing a pipe in one place that may be defective in others. For that reason, there is a minimal warranty.

    Many plumbers recommend a spot repair because they do not have experience bypassing slab pipes and re-routing vertically like we do. Spot repairs require identifying the approximate location of a leak by a professional leak detection service.  Professional leak detection companies use a version of a microphone to approximate the location of a leak by honing in on sound produced by pressurized water or air escaping the small hole in the pipe.

    Leak detectors make the assumption that the point the microphone detects the strongest sound is directly over the leak. When the leak detector determines the most likely area of a leak, they place a mark on your floor.

    Leak detection services are notoriously inaccurate and their results are not guaranteed. Variations in slab concrete thickness, density, and sound conductivity, or the presence of multiple leaks mean the mark can be further away from the actual leak location.

    Inaccuracy of leak detection instruments in addition to variations in sound carrying qualities of the slab also contribute to error in detection. Detection companies generally set a goal for a leak to be located within 2-4 feet of the mark. This 4 ft diameter means the leak is ideally within an 8-foot circular area on the floor. Inaccurate leak detection is a common problem for plumbers and can significantly balloon the cost of repairs to your home caused by jackhammering concrete and demolition.

  • Are slab leaks covered by homeowners insurance?

    Whether slab leaks are covered by homeowners insurance depends on the specifics of your policy and the cause of the leak.

    Most standard homeowners insurance policies will cover damage caused by slab leaks if the leak is sudden and accidental. For example, if a pipe unexpectedly bursts and causes water damage to your home, the repairs for the damage (such as fixing flooring, walls, or the foundation) may be covered. However, the cost to repair or replace the leaking pipe itself is often not covered.

    If the slab leak is due to long-term neglect, poor maintenance, or gradual wear and tear, it is typically not covered by homeowners insurance. Insurers generally expect homeowners to maintain their plumbing systems, and issues that develop over time, such as corrosion or gradual leaks, may not be eligible for coverage.

    Slab leaks can lead to mold growth if left untreated. Some policies provide coverage for mold remediation, but it often comes with limitations or caps on the amount that will be paid out. If mold is a result of a covered slab leak, there may be some assistance for cleanup, but the extent of coverage will depend on your policy.

    To better understand if your insurance will cover slab leaks, it’s important to:

    • Review your homeowners insurance policy for water damage and foundation coverage.
    • Contact your insurance provider to clarify what is and isn’t covered.
    • Consider purchasing additional endorsements if your policy does not provide adequate protection for slab leaks or related damages.