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Pipes & leaks

Slab leak repair

A slab leak is a leak in a water line that runs under a concrete foundation. It is fixed in one of three ways: opening the slab and repairing the pipe, abandoning the leaking line and rerouting a new one through walls or the attic, or repiping the house. Rerouting is often preferred because it avoids breaking the floor.

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Copper pipe fittings lined up in a row

Homes built on slabs, common across the South and Southwest, usually have copper lines laid in or under the concrete. Shifting soil, abrasion against the concrete and corrosive water wear holes in them over time. Hot water lines fail more often than cold.

The plumber locates the leak with acoustic equipment and a pressure test of each line. One leak in a newer home may suit a direct repair. In an older home, a first slab leak is often followed by others, so a reroute or repipe may cost less over time.

Slab Leak Repair at a glance

Common in
Slab-foundation homes in the South and Southwest
Options
Spot repair, reroute, repipe
Most affected
Hot water lines
Risk if ignored
Foundation movement, mold, flooring damage

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What are the signs you need a plumber?

  • A warm area on a tile or concrete floor
  • The sound of running water with everything off
  • A water bill that keeps rising
  • Damp carpet or cracked, lifting flooring
  • The water heater running constantly

What does the plumber do?

  1. 1

    Confirm and locate

    Pressure tests identify the leaking line and acoustic equipment marks the spot.

  2. 2

    Compare the options

    The plumber explains direct repair, reroute and repipe for your house and pipe age.

  3. 3

    Do the repair

    The slab is opened at the marked point, or a new line is routed overhead.

  4. 4

    Test and restore

    The system is pressure tested, and the floor is patched if it was opened.

What affects the cost of slab leak repair?

It depends on the job, and a plumbing company can only give a firm price after seeing it. Prices also vary by region and by time of day. These are the factors that move a quote up or down. Ask for the price in writing before work begins.

  • Repair method: reroute, direct repair or repipe
  • Flooring over the leak and the cost of restoring it
  • How many lines are affected
  • Access through walls and the attic for a reroute

What can you do yourself, and when should you call a plumber?

Safe to try

  • Run the water meter test to confirm a leak
  • Turn off the water heater supply to see whether the meter stops, which points to the hot side
  • Call your insurer; access and water damage are sometimes covered even when the pipe is not

Call a plumber when

  • Don't break concrete yourself; the leak is often not directly under the wet spot

Slab Leak Repair questions

How serious is a slab leak?

It should be dealt with promptly. Water under a slab can wash out soil, move the foundation, and wick up into flooring and walls. The longer it runs, the larger the repair.

Is it better to reroute or repair a slab leak?

Rerouting avoids breaking the floor and removes the old line from service, so it is often preferred in older homes. A direct repair can make sense for a single leak in newer pipe that is easy to reach.

Does insurance cover slab leaks?

Many policies cover the cost of reaching the pipe and the resulting water damage but not the pipe repair itself. Policies differ, so ask your insurer before work begins.

What is a slab leak?

A slab leak is a leak in a water or drain pipe that runs beneath or inside a home's concrete slab foundation.

How long does slab leak repair take?

Locating the leak takes a few hours. A reroute or a direct repair is usually done in one to two days, and flooring restoration follows.

What causes slab leaks?

The usual causes are soil movement stressing the pipe, copper rubbing against concrete or gravel as it expands and contracts, corrosive soil or water, and poor installation. Hot lines fail more often.

Can a slab leak be fixed without breaking the slab?

Yes. Rerouting abandons the leaking line and runs a new one through walls or the attic, and some lines can be lined from inside with epoxy. Both avoid opening the floor.

Where we connect homeowners with plumbers

Slab Leak Repair requests are taken from across the United States. Local conditions change the work, so start with your city or find your state.

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