Affordable Slab Leak Repair in Escondido and North County
Little Guy Plumbing offers slab leak repair in Escondido and surrounding cities at a low, reasonable cost. We’re the top choice for slab leak repair in the county because we have a great track record for diagnsosing, locating and repairing underground leaks quicker than other companies and we charge much less. If you have a slab leak or you think you do, give is a call today to request a leak repair expert in your area.
Having a water emergency? Protecting your property and loved ones is important to us, so we respond quickly to all emergency situations and offer water removal services, if needed.
Are you having your water pressure checked regularly?
High water pressure in your home is one of the leading causes of slab leaks so it’s imoprtant you have your water pressure checked regularly. We offer FREE water pressure tests in Escondido and North County and can help you avoid future slab leaks.
What is a slab leak and what causes them?
A slab leak is a plumbing leak that occurs beneath the building’s concrete foundation. This is a problem for several reasons. Leaking pipes under a concrete slab can be diifucult to access for repair, and the longer they go unresolved the more damage they can cause to your property. A slab leak should be located and fixed as soon as it’s discovered to avoid further issues. Here are some likely reasons you may have a slab leak.
Old Piping
When a building reaches about 25 to 30 years in age, many of the original systems begin to break down and fail. Old copper piping located beneath the concrete foundation are often the first to start leaking, as they’ve been burried in dirt under weight and pressure for many years. This weakens the piping and helps corrosion set in, making it susceptible to leaks.
High Pressure
High water pressure is one of the leading causes of plumbing leaks of any kind, including slab leaks. Normal water pressure ranges between 50 and 70 psi. A pressure reducing valve (pressure regulator) is installed on most properties to ensure pressure does not raise above this level. If the regulator fails, or there’s no regulator installed, water pressure can reach levels in excess of 150 psi, which is more than enough pressure to cause leaks.
Bad Water
Water in Southern California is not the cleanest. It’s loaded with corrosive minerals, chloramines and other contaminates that weaken soft metals like copper and create a number of issues. Slab leaks are often a result of bad water eating away at the piping from the inside out. If you have a water softener (which is a salt-based filter) you may be accelerating the process by introducing high levels of ions into the system.
If you’re concerned about your water quality and what it’s doing to your plumbing over time, whole-house water filters are the solution. If you have any questions about slab leaks and how they can be repaired, give us a call at (760) 707-4613 to speak with a leak expert in Escondido.
Repairing a Slab Leak
There are a few ways to fix a slab leak. One way is to first locate the leaking pipe and then dig down to make the repair. This is as simple as cutting out the leaking section of pipe (which is usually just a small pin-hole leak) and using a special, high-strength solder to splice in a new section.
Some people prefer this method of slab leak repair because it may be less intrusive than the alternative. The problem with repairing a slab leak underground is the process involves removing flooring and jackhammering the slab open. Opening up the slab weakens its integrity so it’s not recommended. Newer “post-tension” slabs forbid demolition of any kind. If your flooring is expensive, vintage or hard to replace, slab leak repair may not be the best option.
The alternative to manually repairing a slab leak is a “reroute” A reroute is a method of fixing a slab leak that does not involve opening the concrete foundation. Instead, the leaking line is abandoned beneath the builing by cutting it away where it ties into the system above ground. From these connecting points, a new line is installed to restore running water to a specified area. The new line is concealed within walls, ceilings, attics and crawl spaces or in between floors.
This the best way to resolve a slab leak because it doesn’t involve chipping concrete or removal of flooring. Most reroutes require only some drywall repair. This makes rerouting the line a much better alternative, in most cases.
It’s important to have an experienced plumber confirm the presence of a slab leak through eletronic leak detection before drawing any conclusions. Once a slab leak is confirmed, repairs can be planned out based on the circumstances in your home or place of business.
If you think you may have a slab leak, or you have questions about our repair services, give us a call today to request a leak detection specialist. We can quickly determine whether or not you have a leak and recommend the most suitable options for repair.
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