Slab Leak Detection – Foundation Leak Repair

Houston homes are vulnerable to shifting soil and plumbing leaks

Nearly all homes in the greater Houston area are built on concrete slabs because the soil is very unstable and the water table is very high. Slab foundations may reduce some of the structural risk to your home, but it won’t eliminate it. Plumbing problems under the slab or foundation are a fix immediately problem.

Most of the soil in Houston has a high content of clay, which is sensitive to moisture fluctuations. Introduction of water into clay causes it to expand and heave upward, subjecting foundations to pressures from underneath. In extreme cases, the slab and flooring can erupt and water floods every room on the ground floor. Floor coverings, furniture and appliances can be ruined. Homes also have sewer lines that direct the flow of waste water out from the house, which can crack and cause damage, too.

The slab leak can erode the soil and cause the slab to collapse. When water is withdrawn, these clay soils will contract, sometimes creating cracks in the ground. When the slab fails, its weight breaks the plumbing lines beneath, causing a rush of water into the home. If the soil moves too much, pipes can develop leaks or require re-pipping services. A leak beneath a home can cause the soil to shift even more, making the leak worse. This increasing damage makes early leak detection essential. But these problems can be reduced with the help of your certified plumber.

It’s far easier to locate a suspected leak than to do major repair work afterward. But how do you know when to call Abacus, your plumbing repair company?

Call Abacus if:

• Your water bill increases for no apparent reason
• You hear the sound of water running when no taps are open
• You see foundation cracks
• Grass or foundation plants grow unevenly
• There is a visible shift in the soil around your home
• You have warm spots on slab floors
• You have discolored floor coverings, such as darkened hardwood, grout between the tile or discolored linoleum.
• You smell bad odors coming from floors or wall