Most homeowners often are scared of plumbing problems, but the problems they fear the most are the simplest to repair. For example, a clogged toilet is generally a temporary inconvenience that can be solved with a plunger or plumber’s snake. A slab leak, on the other hand, is a much larger concern and can create a true plumbing disaster.
If you don’t know what these are, slab leaks are water leaks underneath your home’s concrete foundation. They’re not like pipe leaks inside your home because they are a bit harder to detect. You won’t see water dripping or find a puddle under the sink. Early awareness of the issue can help reduce the damage.
Be aware of these 4 most known symptoms of a slab leak.
You See or Smell Mold
It’s not uncommon to smell mold or mildew in a basement. As a matter of fact, some homeowners smell it, ignore it, and eventually desensitize themselves to the odor. Seeing mold generally disturbs someone enough that they try to troubleshoot where it originated. Don’t ignore mold or its smell. While it’s not always a sign you have a slab leak, it should be checked out by your local Long Beach Plumber as soon as possible.
You Discover Water Puddles
Water puddles can be deceiving. In the basement, you might think your hot water heater is leaking. If you have a single-story home and discover water puddles in the kitchen or bathroom, you may suspect a leaky dishwasher or a toilet that needs repair. If none of your appliances, sinks, or toilets need repair, it may be a slab leak.
Don’t act like the puddles are not a problem. Get your local Long Beach Plumber on the job and have them go through the steps to figure out if you have a slab leak.
Your Utility Bills Can Rise
An increase in your utility bill is always cause for concern. If it’s summer and you’ve been running the hose for the garden or the kid’s pool, that might be one of the reasons the sudden jump in your water bill has happened. But if you have nothing unusual going on with water use and your bill goes up drastically, you may have a slab leak.
Since slab leaks happen in the pipes under your house, you may be able to hear water running after you turn the water off. When you can not determine why your utility bill continues to increase, it’s time to call a professional Long Beach Plumber in to figure things out.
There Are Changes In Your Foundation
Slab leaks can cause settling in your foundation. Most of the times, the reason for this is either water damage or soil erosion. On the outside of your home, you might discover cracks in the foundation. Inside, you might find cracks in the walls. It is highly suggest that you contact a local Long Beach Plumber so that you can find the problem and repair it right away.
None of these problems should be ignored. They may or may not end up being a slab leak. The essential key is detecting and fixing plumbing issues no matter what they are.