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What To Expect During Slab Leak Repair Encinitas

5/21/2018

So you’ve found a puddle on your floor or a damp spot in your yard outside, and you know that you need to hire a slab leak detection Encinitas professional. If you’ve done a little searching on the internet, you may have run across old information that has you dreading the next step and imagining all sorts of damage to your home. Let us walk you through the process and help set your mind at ease.

1. Where’s The Leak?

One of the biggest advantages of hiring a slab leak detection specialist is that they’ve got the tools and experience to find your leak quickly. In the old days plumbers used to have to guess much more imprecisely, using things like location of the puddle and/or temperature of the floor. Now we have sophisticated equipment and techniques that can help locate the leak.

2. What’s The Best Course Of Action?

When deciding what to do next, it matters that your plumber determine why the leak has occurred. If, for instance, the leak was caused by pipes that corroded, repairing it might only be a temporary solution. (This is also why we don’t recommend epoxy as a repair method: it’s difficult to get the epoxy evenly onto every surface of the pipe, and the corrosion often just occurs again in another location.) If this is the case, we usually recommend repiping service. While we’re happy to return and work for clients again, we really hope that most people will experience a slab leak repair no more than once in their lifetime--we’d rather get the work done right the first time.

3. Getting It Fixed

This is where most people imagine that they will lose their hardwood flooring or have to tear up their carpeting. The truth is that it’s almost never necessary for us to cut into the floor in order to fix your slab leak. Often, the most we need to do is make a few small cuts in the drywall. At all times, we work hard to use the solution that is most financially sensible and least disruptive for our customers. In general, depending on the size of the house and water system, a repiping job only takes us about 3-4 days, during which time you can remain in your home.

We understand that finding a slab leak is stressful, and for many people it’s the worst plumbing disaster they will ever face. That’s why we want to give you the benefit of our experience and knowledge. If you suspect you have a slab leak, don’t let your hesitation stop you--give us a call and let us help you prevent the damage and expense that can result from waiting. We promise to make it right and get you back to normal, as quickly as possible.

Sources:
What Are Symptoms Of A Slab Leak? - www.answers.com
How To Fix A Slab Leak - www.angieslist.com

Slab Leak Repair a True Story

5/11/2018

Slab leak repair Scripps Ranch access holes in kitchen ceiling

Imagine this. You finally have the kitchen of your dreams. Beautiful cabinets, tile work and the flooring you have always wanted. You barely have the oppurtunity to prepare those fabulous meals there, when you realize that the hot spot that has appeared under your new flooring is a hot water pipe under the concrete that is leaking so bad that it is heating up the floor and you need slab leak repair.

Your heart sinks at the thought of ripping into the floor with a jackhammer. Will repair take tearing out your beautiful new cabinets that you have barely even had the chance to completely pay for. This is a true story.

Our customer was obviously distressed when they contacted us. It felt good to be able to answer their questions and alleviate so many of their fears. They were assured that tearing up the flooring in order to make the slab leak repair was an absoulte last resort. In fact it is so rare we haven't had to do it in years. We also assured them that we would do all we could to cause as little damage as absolutely necessary. First we needed to take a look.

Before We Talk Slab Leak Repair, Let’s Discuss Warning Signs

4/19/2018

As a homeowner, you should know that your piping runs through the foundation of your house. This is the best way to get water to the places in your home through which you access it. A slab leak can take place when pinhole leaks form in those pipes. Corrosion is the most likely culprit. But before we have to think about slab leak repair Encinitas let’s talk about signs to watch out for. Here are three big ones.

Under Pressure?

If your water pressure is way lower than it usually is when you turn on the kitchen faucet or when you take a shower, it could mean you’re dealing with a slab leak. Water flows from outside your home into your house’s main water line, and if there’s even a small leak in that water line, it’s going to be noticeable. If you’re seeing or feeling any significant drop in pressure, don’t delay. Call a plumber, and have them check for a slab leak.

Your Sudden Above Ground Pool

A leak inside should be evident because water is going to be visible and pool somewhere, be it in the basement or another part of the house. But what if you see puddles forming outside, and there hasn’t been any significant rainfall recently? If you have a hose nearby or anything else that might produce water, you might discount a slab leak as the cause, but if there’s no visible source, that option is on the table. It’s even more likely if you see it in conjunction with the reduced water pressure we already mentioned.

The Hot Floor Game

As a kid, did you ever try the game where the floor is lava, and you weren’t allowed to touch it? If that’s happening in your home for real, you might have a slab leak; this is the most common sign. It’s something that you mainly want to watch out for if one part of your floor is hot, and other parts are cold. What’s happening is that the hot water is heating up the concrete in your foundation, and that in turn is heating up your floors. If this is happening, go down to the basement or anywhere you have access to the foundation, and take a look around. If any doubt remains, call a plumber.

Although slab leaks are fairly common plumbing problems, they’re no cause for panic. If you’ve caught them early enough, you shouldn’t break the bank fixing them, either. Just be sure that you contact a plumbing company that you trust, and always be vigilant.

More innformation on slab leak repair.

Here Are Some Tips For Slab Leak Detection

4/11/2018

There are all sorts of plumbing problems that can seem to spring up out of nowhere. One particularly unpleasant one is a slab leak. Luckily, there are a few methods of slab leak detection. Keep these tips in mind, and you won’t be caught unawares.

What’s That Sound?

Slab leaks most often occur when one of two things happens: there’s a burst pipe, or the pipes in your foundation have become corroded. One of the most effective remedies before the situation becomes truly dire is to keep your ears open. If a slab leak occurs, water will be running beneath the surface of your home’s foundation, and it makes a noise. If you suspect that a slab leak might be taking place, what you want to do is listen for plumbing noises that are out of the ordinary. You know what the pipes should sound like in your home, and this will be something different, both persistent and unusual. If you suspect a slab leak, shut off your plumbing appliances, and then listen again. If you still hear water running, and if you see water pooling in your basement or elsewhere, contact a plumber immediately.

Why Is My Water Bill So High?

If your water bill is way higher than average, a slab leak might be to blame. This is especially likely if the increase happens suddenly. An abrupt spike in your heating bill can also indicate a slab leak. The reason is that your water heater is working overtime to try and heat the excess water that is coming into your house. If that happens, it likely means that you caught the problem before it got too bad. Again, if this happens, contact a professional.

Cracks In The Floor

Cracks appearing in your floor means that the problem had progressed to the point that it has become severe; it has been happening for a while. If this happens, it has most likely gone well past the point where you can fix it on your own. A competent plumber should be able to locate where the problem has occurred, and they’ll surely be able to offer a solution, but at this juncture, it’s likely to be more expensive than if you caught it early.

Slab leaks are an insidious menace, so remain alert to them. If you see anything like we've mentioned in this article, contact a plumber sooner rather than later, as it’s never in your favor to delay. Get it fixed before it becomes worse, and your master bedroom turns into a swimming pool.

Additional information for homeowners on slab leak detection.

How To Tell If You Need Slab Leak Repair

3/26/2018

Plumbing can be intimidating and confusing. When you find water on the floor, the last thing you want to do is play detective. But you do need to figure out whether you need a slab leak detection Encinitas professional, or whether the problem is something simple that you can DIY (or hire a handyman for). Here’s a few quick ways to tell whether you have a slab leak & need slab leak repair or not.

1. Where Is The Water?

In general, if you find a puddle, it’s usually fairly easy to follow the water back to its source. For example, most people know that if they open up the cupboard under their sink and find that everything is damp, it’s likely the sink pipes that are the problem. So one clue that what you’re dealing with is a slab leak and not a more normal sort of leak is a puddle of water appearing where you can’t explain it. Call for slab leak detection if you notice:

Water welling up between the floorboards
“Wet spots” in your yard, especially close to the foundation
Damp carpet or warm places on your floor that can’t be explained

2. Are You Suddenly A Water Hog?

It pays to know where your water meter is and, if possible, to learn how to read it. Many meters have a “leak indicator” that can give you notice that large amounts of water are being used before you get a sky-high water bill. Keep in mind that to use your water meter to check for leaks, you must first ensure that all water-using appliances in your house. (toilets, showers, washing machines, etc.) are shut off. If you’re sure that no water is running in your house but your meter is still running, you can be confident that you’ve got a leak somewhere, and it’s best to call for help.

3. Have You Had A Slab Leak Before?

Unfortunately, in some cases slab leaks are simply a result of the chemical reaction of the pipes with the surrounding soil or with the water that flows through them. If you’ve had a slab leak in the past and merely replaced or rerouted around the old pipe, then it’s possible that down the line another slab leak will occur, since all of your pipes are generally under the same kinds of chemical strain. If you’ve had a prior slab leak and now are having symptoms of another, you should call a professional right away. (You also may want to consider repiping this time, as it can actually be more cost-efficient than continuing to fix multiple leaks.)

Although finding a puddle of water where it shouldn’t be is never a great experience, knowing how slab leaks differ from more common plumbing problems can help you feel empowered. If you do need a slab leak repaired, we are always at your service and ready to help. Just give us a call, and we’ll get to work to get your home back to normal.

Sources:
What Are Symptoms Of A Slab Leak? - www.answers.com
Slab Leak - http://lancemaxwellplumbing.com/our-services/slab-leaks/

Is Your Home At Risk?

3/22/2018

Many new homeowners--and even a few who have been around the block a few times--don’t understand why anyone would want to have a slab leak detection Carlsbad professional in their corner. They don’t understand how dealing with a slab leak repair is different than dealing with other plumbing problems, and they may underestimate their own risk of a slab leak. The bottom line? If your home sits on a slab versus a traditional foundation, you should read on to see if you’re at risk.

What IS A Slab Leak?

A slab leak occurs when a pipe that’s located under the concrete slab that your home is built on fails, and leaks hot or cold water or even sewage. These leaks are often not immediately apparent, especially if the water seeps away into the dirt around your home.

Why Are Slab Leaks A Problem?

Many people discover a slab leak when they get an astronomical water bill. A leak the size of a nickel can cause the loss of thousands and thousands of gallons of water in a month. Even if you could afford to pay for all that wasted water, the water can do a lot of damage to your home. If it wells upward, it can saturate floors, walls, and cause structural damage. If it seeps into the ground, softening it, it can cause your foundation to shift and even crack, rendering the home unsafe. (This is why a quality slab leak detection company and, if needed, repiping service, are necessary if you suspect a leak.)

What Are My Risks Of A Slab Leak?

Slab leaks are more common in older homes, which sometimes utilize less than ideal construction techniques or old-school piping. If certain types of pipes are exposed to electricity (in the soil or due to electric lines running near them) they can suffer “electrolysis”, which leads to corrosion and eventually a leak. It’s also common for water that’s acidic or has certain treatment chemicals in it to react poorly with certain types of pipe and cause corrosion. Lastly, earthquakes and tremors can simply damage pipes even if they were properly constructed.

What Should I Do If I Suspect A Slab Leak?

The most important thing to do if you suspect you have a slab leak is to call a qualified professional as quickly as possible, in order to minimize damage and expense. If you own an older home that sits on a slab, you’d be well-served to have an experienced professional picked out before you need to call one in an emergency. Don’t get stuck relying on the first plumber you find in the phonebook or with a quick online search--be sure that you’re trusting your precious home to the experts.
If you’re wondering whether you’ve got a slab leak, please give us a call. We’ll find, diagnose, and fix your leak as quickly as possible, so you can get back to enjoying your life.

The Basics of Slab Leaks - Express Plumbing Idaho

Water Damage

3/9/2018

A plumbing leak does not always have to mean catastrophic water damage. Saying that, I can promise you that if you ignore your plumbing leak the water damage will be significant.

An ignored plumbing leak is going to burn a hole in your wallet and your insurance company is likely to deny your claim because you are considered negligent when you are aware of a water or sewer leak and ignore it. They will not be willing to pay for catastrophic damage when it is only catastrophic because you ignored it.

The image to the left is from a home that clearly had some sort of water damage and it had been clearly going on for quite awhile. It turned out that all of the flooring had to be removed. Some of the cabinetry had to be removed as well.

Not only was there water damage that needed to be cleaned up, but mold had become a major problem.

Slab Leak Repair

3/5/2018

Slab Leak Repair

For a lay person, it's difficult to imagine how on earth on could make a slab leak repair without bringing in a jackhammer, tearing up your flooring and opening up an enormous hole in the floor of your living room or kitchen. Relax! Only under the most unusual of conditions is there ever a need to break open the floor.

If your plumber really knows what he is doing, then either a single line reroute is done or some times you may chose to just go ahead and just go for the repiping service.

Single Line Repiping

When would you chose a single line reroute over a complete repiping service? If this is the first ever plumbing leak you have experienced then a single line reroute might be the best option. Plumbing leaks will invariably happen over time. Multiple reasons couple be the cause. We have a flat rate of $1750 for a single line reroute. If we do the single line reroute and the leak detection, then your leak detection is free.

Is It Really Important To Have A Specialist For Slab Leak Repair?

2/26/2018

Many people, when they first realize they have a slab leak, find the situation to be frightening. Because it’s also time-sensitive, they may be tempted to call the first plumber they turn up on an internet search or in the phone book. However, there are good reasons to use a slab leak repair Ladera Ranch specialist. Here’s our take on why you shouldn’t settle for less.

It’s Important To Detect The Slab Leak Accurately

Did you know that it takes both experience and specialized equipment to find where your slab leak is located? In the past, many plumbers searched for the leak by looking for where the water was puddling on the floor, or (if it’s a hot water leak) by feeling for warm spots. However, these methods of finding the leak are not as precise as would be ideal, and modern tools allow a slab leak repair professional to find the location of the leak quickly, minimizing damage to your home. Unless they deal with slab leaks regularly, not all plumbers regularly carry the specialized tools necessary to get the job done right.

It’s Important To Understand Why The Leak Happened

It might seem like a slab leak, while unpleasant, is a fairly simple situation: you find where the leak is, you fix it, and then you move on with your life. While that’s the way it would happen in an ideal world, the unhappy truth is that unless you know why the leak happened in the first place, you may find yourself dealing with more slab leaks at a later date! Leaks can be caused for a number of reasons, including:

Pipe corrosion because of soil chemicals or a reaction between the water and the metal of the pipes.
Ground shifting or pressure problems.
Improper construction.

All of these can be ongoing problems. That’s why it’s important to use a qualified professional who can assess the circumstances around the leak and advise you whether a repair is adequate, or whether repiping service is necessary. Remember: as disruptive as the current leak is, do you really want to go through all that disruption again in the future?

It’s Important To Know Your Plumber Has Done This Before

You’re probably already starting to get the idea that proper slab leak repair can be somewhat counterintuitive. As with most jobs, the person who has the most experience will know how to keep the process streamlined, low-stress, and as non-invasive as possible. As an additional bonus, a local specialist will be able to offer you relevant local expertise. If you have a slab leak, odds are that a slab leak repair professional with experience in your area will have see leaks similar to yours in other homes nearby, and will have insight on your leak’s probable cause.

Although slab leaks require swift action, you should never feel pressured into using a plumber whose qualifications you’re not entirely comfortable with. With three decades of experience, we’re proud to say that we can offer slab leak expertise combined with excellent service and knowledge of your locale. If you’ve got a leak, give us a call and let us help you get your life back to normal as soon as possible.

Sources:
Slab Leaks - www.plumberman.com
How To Fix A Slab Leak - www.angieslist.com

The Problem With Epoxy Coating

2/13/2018

It wasn't that long ago that I did another blog post on whether epoxy coating was the right choice. Recently we encountered yet another blatant example of the problem with epoxy coating.

We were called out with what clearly sounded like a slab leak. As expected it was a slab leak and we were hired to do the single line repiping. We were informed by the homeowner that it had been just 8 years since they had a leak before, when they chose to do epoxy coating. Epoxy coating of an entire average size house can cost $5000-$8000. The a lot of money to have it fail in just 8 years.

The images below make it very clear what the problem is with epoxy lining for plumbing.

The first image shows what epoxy lining should sort of look like. But as you can see, the coating is very thick on one side and paper thin on the other. In order for the epoxy coating to be effective, the pipe must be evenly coated on the inside. In the second image you see that much of the inside of the pipe has no lining at all. Just a few splatters of epoxy are visible. The third image shows what is very common, that is to find the epoxy coating either all puddled to the bottom of the pipe or balled up into one spot leaving the remainder of the pipe completely exposed.

Just how much of this homeowners plumbing pipes looked like this will never be known for sure. But I will guarantee you that this single spot we cut into the this was not the only place the epoxy coating process failed. The failure rate is far to high in our estimation cosidering the cost.

You can have an entire new water system installed in your home for about the same cost. Difference is, you will have all new water pipes that should last not just a few years, but for decades as plumbing should.

Don't let anyone tell you that you must move out if you choose repiping your home, or that your floors must be cut into with a jackhammer. It is an extremely rare occasion when we cut into a floor. There just simply is not a need to put you the homeowner through that.

We will make it as simple as possible and in most cases you can stay in your home during the entire process. Call Leak Star before you make your final decision.