Atlanta's Slab Leak Detection & Repair Specialists

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.