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Slab Leak Water Damage Under the Floor

Slab leak water damage comes from a pipe under the concrete floor. It is found with a meter test, fixed by a plumber, then dried from the top down.

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Signs that point under the floor

  • A water bill that jumps with no change in use.
  • A warm or damp spot on tile, vinyl or carpet.
  • The sound of running water when nothing is on.
  • Cupped wood boards or lifting vinyl plank in one area.
  • A musty smell near baseboards that will not clear.

A meter test you can do now

  1. Turn off every faucet, the washer, the dishwasher, the ice maker and the irrigation.
  2. Find the water meter, usually in a box near the curb.
  3. Look for the small leak indicator dial. If it spins, water is moving somewhere.
  4. Close the main valve at the house. If the dial still moves, the leak is between the meter and the house. If it stops, the leak is inside.

Drying after the plumber

A plumber finds the leak with listening gear and either repairs that spot or reroutes the line through walls or the attic. Then the drying starts. Concrete holds water for a long time. Vinyl plank and tile slow drying because water cannot escape through them.

Plan for some flooring to come up over the wet area. Wood floors may cup while wet. Sanding them before they dry causes crowning later, so wait for the readings.

Homes on slabs in central Las Vegas

The city's 2005 survey of Huntridge describes one story wood frame houses on slab foundations, built from 1941 to 1944. Census data puts the median home in ZIP 89107 at 1971 and in 89101 at 1974. Older supply lines under older slabs are the ones to watch.

Questions people ask

How can I tell if I have a slab leak?
Common signs are a rising water bill, a warm or damp floor spot, running water sounds with taps off, and flooring that lifts in one area.
Can a slab leak go unnoticed?
Yes. Water can drain into the ground under the slab for a long time before it shows on the floor.
How do I test my water meter for a leak?
Turn off all water use and watch the meter's leak dial. If it moves, water is flowing. Close the house valve to see if the leak is inside.
Can a slab leak be fixed without breaking the floor?
Often. Plumbers can reroute the line through walls or the attic instead of cutting into the slab.
Does insurance cover slab leaks?
Policies differ. Many cover the water damage from a sudden leak but not the pipe itself. Read your policy and ask your agent.
Why is my floor warm in one spot?
A leak on a hot water line under the slab can warm the floor above it. Check the water heater for constant running too.
Does all the flooring have to come out?
Usually just the area over the wet slab. Readings show where the water spread.
How long does a slab take to dry?
Concrete dries slowly, often longer than walls. Flooring on top slows it more. Readings decide when it is done.
Can wood floors be saved after a slab leak?
Sometimes. Dry them until the moisture is back to normal before sanding, or the boards may crown later.
Who fixes the pipe and who dries the house?
A licensed plumber fixes the pipe. A drying crew handles extraction, flooring removal and drying.

Neighborhoods we cover

Water where it should not be?

(725) 302-6540

Call or text. Say where the water came from, when it started and which rooms are wet. You will get the first steps right away and a time for someone to come out.

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