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How to Handle a Slab Leak: Your Immediate Action Plan

Updated: Oct 3

Introduction


Do you reside in Orange County and pay a high water bill? Is an indistinct humming sound coming from under a cabinet or in the wall? Is the soil unusually wet where your foundation is?

If your foundation is slabbed, these signs may indicate a slab leak in Orange County.

The majority of homes constructed in Orange County areas have copper plumbing. If your home is fitted with copper water lines and has a concrete slab for a foundation, then those pipes made of copper run beneath the foundation. These pipes are not easily accessible, so finding and fixing them when they leak can be difficult. The layout of your home and the location of the slab leak will significantly impact the best course of action for you. Read on to know more.


Why Do Slabs Leak in Orange County Occur?

Various factors can cause slab leaks. Whatever the reason, you should get a licensed plumber to fix the problem immediately. Abrasion, moving soil, acidic water, pipe corrosion, and excessive pressure are a few of the most frequent causes.


Expanding or Contracting Soil

Soil shift is a widely recognized cause of slab leaks in Orange County. Any home’s foundation can expand or contract based on wet or dry ground. The American Society of Civil Engineers estimates that substantial damage from soil shift occurs in about 25% of all American homes.

According to the same organization, the annual cost of damage resulting from soil expansion or contraction in the United States alone is $2.3 billion. Both lateral and vertical shifting are typical in soil with high clay or sand content. Soil movement under a foundation can damage water lines, and this sluggish slab leak keeps leaking more water into the soil. Significant property damage may eventually result from this domino effect.


Corrosion

The metals in the ground and the pipes beneath the concrete slab of your house come into contact with each other. This soiling and mixing of different metals can cause corrosion. The progressive deterioration or breakdown of plumbing due to chemical reactions is referred to as corrosion. Contact with extremely hard water can also cause corrosion in pipes. The reason for this is that excessively acidic or alkaline water can cause an imbalance in the pH level that corrodes the pipes.

Abrasion

Pipe vibration while water flows through them under pressure is possible. This vibration can produce enough friction over time to weaken the pipes. This is especially true if the pipes are close to hard surfaces like concrete, gravel, or tree roots. Slab leaks in Orange County eventually result from these defects along the connection points or exteriors of pipes.

Excessive Pressure

Excessive pressure can also cause cracks in the pipes underneath your home’s slab. Seismic pressure from earthquakes or tremors, as well as heavy clay soil, can be one cause of excess pressure. Most pipes can handle certain pressure. However, applying excessive force across their entire surface can wear them down and cause leaks. This may call for immediate slab leak repair in Orange County.


Aging Home

Older homes are more vulnerable to slab leaks. This is especially true for those with cast iron or galvanized steel pipes. The reason is rust and mineral buildup. Speak with EZ Plumbing for a professional diagnosis and fixing.



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