Slab Leak Repair

Post-WWII, many U.S. homes were built upon concrete slabs because of their durability, cost-effectiveness, and straightforward construction. These slabs are your home’s foundation, and beneath them run your plumbing, piping, and underground water lines. As you can imagine, concrete slabs are difficult to get around.

So when leaks in those water lines occur — also known as slab leaks — they spell trouble fast as they’re hard to detect and resolve. Often, they require advanced tools and techniques to diagnose the leak source and fix it properly. That’s why you need experienced, trained plumbers from the Cassell Brothers Home Services team on the scene when slab leaks occur.

What Causes a Slab Leak?

• Contracting or expanding soil: This is a common cause of slab leaks. Soil contracts and expands when it goes from wet to dry, and that movement can often threaten your underground water lines. Though you may not notice these leaks for some time, they’ll damage the pipes and cause more water to spill out, creating a dangerous cycle that could cost lots of money if not dealt with correctly.
• Improper housing materials: Slab construction gained popularity in the 1940s. Slab foundations comprise over 60% of newly built homes in the U.S. today. Older homes may be made of deteriorating, insufficient materials that won’t maintain the integrity of your pipes. Newer homes may be more susceptible to slab leaks if constructed improperly or with inadequate materials.

Signs You Have a Slab Leak

Most modern homeowners are unfamiliar with how slab foundations work. What’s more, these leaks occur under layers of concrete and may persist for long periods without you ever knowing what to look for or what’s causing the issue. It can make a world of difference if you enlist professional plumbing help when you notice signs like:

• An increase in water bills
• Uneven growth in your lawn or plants near the slab foundation
• Wet spots around your foundation
• Cracks in your floorboards and walls
• The sound of water running below your floor when no appliances are on

Contact our plumbing professionals online or call us if you suspect your home may have a slab leak.

Our Slab Leak Repairs Process

At Cassell Brothers, every slab leak repair begins with precisely detecting the leak source. Each leak is unique, but once it’s located, our experts will recommend a comprehensive repair strategy that involves one of several methods, including:

• Repiping above ground: In some situations, rerouting your piping above ground instead of working through underground lines is a better choice. Our plumbers recommend specialized repiping solutions that open up new water lines in more accessible areas of your home.
• Drilling into your cement slab and fixing leaks: This is usually the last resort as it’s the most costly, disruptive, and intensive way to fix a slab leak. It involves advanced drilling that severely impacts other areas of your home and requires you to relocate until the job is finished.
• Tunneling beneath the slab: Tunneling is a minimally invasive option that allows homeowners to stay in their homes while our plumbers and/or certified engineers tunnel underground. Once repairs are complete, we make a point of safely and correctly replacing and treating the soil that was dug out.

Count on Cassell Brothers for Slab Leak Repairs

When you’re experiencing slab leaks, “Call on Cassell for Comfort!” Every plumber on our family-owned and -operated team is licensed, bonded, and insured, so you can enjoy plumbing services that are 100% satisfaction guaranteed.

For expert plumbing services in The Midlands, count on Cassell Brothers. Call us or schedule slab leak repairs online with us today.