For the modern-day homeowner, a slab leak might be a phenomenon completely unheard of. After all, the kind of construction methods that cause slab leaks are considered obsolete now, and newer, more efficient ways of construction have taken their place. However, if you own a home built in the last century, a slab leak is a danger you will have to face eventually. In the Santa Ana area, houses built in the last century are bound to face slab leaks. If the soil on which your home was built is unstable, slab leaks in Santa Ana are bound to happen. But what are these nuisances, and how can you deal with them?
What are slab leaks? Houses constructed in Santa Ana somewhere after the second world war used a method called slab construction, mostly because it was cheaper. In this, a surface is prepared and a tick concrete slab is poured on the surface. All plumbing lines and water pipes run beneath the slab, making any repairs to them more difficult. When these pipes burst or start leaking, it starts eroding the soil. The slab has no support beneath it as the area beneath it gets filled with water. Eventually, cracks will appear on the slab, and not long after that will water start pouring out of these cracks. How can I detect slab leaks? Slab leaks are relatively easy to detect, as the signs are pretty much unnoticeable. Even before the extreme signs like cracks on the floor, or water from said cracks, there are other signs that you can be on the lookout for. First, if there is a warm water pipe that runs beneath your floor, any leaks in it will create warm spots on the floor. If you ever notice that a part of the floor is unnaturally warm for no reason, it is most likely a result of a leak in the pipe. Another noticeable sign is a “dome” on the floor. You might notice a small portion of the floor lifting up like a dome, which is always a good indication of exactly where the leak is. sometimes, extreme swelling can also result in the entire foundation of your building getting lifted up, called heaving. What causes these leaks? It is mostly a combination of bad plumbing and bad luck. Eleven in the best of circumstances, plumbing can fall apart due to external problems not within your control. For example, the material that is used for the plumbing might be a problem. Homes in the 1960s used cast iron pipes. These are generally good: they vibrate less, are more durable than plastic pipes, and can last longer. However, unprotected pipes can get corroded due to minerals in the soil. While newer iron pipes have a protective layer to avoid this, older ones did not. This means that your pipes are bound to corrode eventually, causing a leak. The same goes for galvanized pipes, which last for about 50 years before the corrosion starts to set in. The pipes will then start rusting, clogging themselves up until they burst. And even if the pipes are not the issue, sometimes the soil itself can be one. Expansive soils are also a reason why slab leaks happen, which is something entirely out of your control. What are the dangers of slab leaks? This depends on the severity. If your home suffers from heaving, then the very foundations of your home are damaged and the costs of repairs can be massive. Plus, leaks will lead to an increase in your utility bills. Early detection is by far the best way to avoid losing too much money on repairs. What can I do to fix a slab leak? The short answer: nothing. A slab leak is serious, and not something you can handle without experience. However, as you contact professional plumbers to arrive, you can take precautionary measures, like shutting off the water supply. Try draining the water away in case of flooding to make repairs easier. You can also mark the suspected location of the leak to make it easier for the professionals.
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