It’s never a good sign when water leaks from the floor. A leaking slab always means bad news. You know the chances of having to break the entire floor to fix that leak are pretty high, and if you ignore it, you won’t like your next water bill. Fortunately, there are several options you can choose from to address that problem without the intervention of a jackhammer. Some of them are fast and cheap, while others may take time and money. Keep on reading and learn the alternatives available to you.
1. Repipe the system
A slab leak may be the symptom of a much bigger problem. In some instances, it may require repiping the whole system. This option should be considered if corrosion is present on every pipe, water flow is too low, or if the leak cannot be fixed using any other method. The process typically involves installing a copper repipe system in areas of easy access. Before taking this route though, it’s essential to inspect the piping as the process may take several days, depending on the size of the property.
2. Reroute the pipes
A simple but effective way to fix leaks is to reroute pipes. The technique requires cutting sections of the leaky pipe and repositioning them in a new area. Quite often, the pipes are redirected above the ground where they are easy to fix if any other problem arises. Attics, walls, and ceilings are also common spots used to reroute pipes. Although digging tunnels is another alternative for the pipes, it can be a more complicated endeavor.
3. Open up the foundation
In the worst-case scenario, it might be necessary to open up the foundation of the home or business to fix the slab leak. As you may imagine, tearing up the concrete with a jackhammer is one of the steps to access the pipe that needs fixing. This should be the last resort as it is the messiest alternative, which will not only break a significant part of the floor but also create a lot of dust inside the structure. It is a fairly expensive procedure as it involves a lot of work and the use of heavy equipment.
4. Use pipe coatings
One way to solve the slab leak problem is by using pipe coatings. This is a non-invasive process that doesn’t require digging through concrete or even replacing pipes. By coating the interior of pipes with an epoxy coating, you can repair leaks, improve water flow, and prevent the floor from suffering extensive damage. First, moisture has to be removed from the pipe using heated air. Then, pipes are sandblasted to get rid of corrosion and other build-ups present in the pipes. Finally, the epoxy coat is applied, resulting in a non-leaky pipe.
5. Try trenchless plumbing repair
Trenchless plumbing repair is a method used to fix pipes without destroying the landscape or floor. It employs a small camera to find out the exact location of the problem. One that part is done, digging one or two access points is necessary to install a new pipe inside the old pipe to avoid unnecessary removals. The pipe liner is made of a flexible resin that can be pulled inside the pipe without much effort. That way, a new pipe can be created inside the old pipe, and no digging is needed.
6. Consult with an expert
This may seem obvious, but if you have a slab leaking and you aren’t sure what to do, call a plumber. A professional should be able to tell what kind of problem you are having and the ideal method to fix it. Of course, like everything else, you might need to consult with several plumbers before you find one that can fix a Brisbane Hot Water leak.
As you can see, if you have a slab leaking, you know you have a big problem. Solving it requires applying one of the six alternatives mentioned or a mix of them. If you do not know how to fix it or are afraid you might make it worse, call someone that can help you. A professional will assess the situation quickly and fix it without delay.
