With a large majority of Orange County homes built on a slab of concrete, it is important for Orange County homeowners to know both what a slab leak is and how to identify one. A slab leak is an industry term used to describe a leak that has developed in the copper water lines running below the concrete foundation. When these same leaks are above ground, in the wall or ceiling, they are known as a pinhole leak. Such leaks are often a result of long term corrosion to copper pipes.
The worst part about slab leaks is they can often go undetected for a long period of time, since they are not clearly visible to a homeowner as they go about their day to day routine. However, you can look out for more subtle signs that may indicate you have a slab leak. Leaving a potential slab leak unattended can lead to larger problems, such as mold and termites.
Since most homes in the Orange County area are built with copper water systems installed below concrete slabs, it is not uncommon for an Orange County homeowner to run in to a slab leak problem. Signs that may indicate you should call us for a slab leak repair include:
- Sudden spikes in your water bill
- Damp or warm floors
- Unusually low water pressure
- Sound of running water when pipes aren’t in use
- A moving water meter dial when pipes aren’t in use
- Standing water around the perimeter of your house
- Moisture or mildew under carpeting
- Cracks in your baseboard or walls
If any of the above sneaky signs in your home appear, be sure to call Barker and Sons for expert diagnosis and professional repair. We may recommend either a complete pipe replacement or capping off existing pipes using durable and flexible PEX piping.
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