Most people don’t know what a slab leak is, but it’s one of the most common problems in home repair. It happens when there’s a crack or hole in your foundation and water can get underneath the house. This causes damage to your floors, walls, ceiling and more!

A slab leak repair can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days depending on where the leak is located, how much work and time it takes to get to that leak and then the amount of time and effort to repair the concrete floor if it had to be destroyed to access the leak.

How Much Does It Cost To Repair A Slab Leak?

The cost of repairs for your leaky foundation can vary depending on where you live and how bad the problem is.

If it’s a small issue, then the cost can range anywhere from $1,000-$5,000. But if you have insurance that covers slab leaks as well – you may be able to cut off a significant amount from those estimates.

The total cost of repairing a slab leak varies greatly because there are so many variables involved in every job.

  • Where you live
  • Location of the leak
  • Amount of materials and labor it takes to get to that leak
  • Amount of materials and labor it takes to fix the leak
  • Amount of materials and labor it takes to repair the slab

You will be able to get an exact quote from your plumber for your specific situation.

How Serious Is A Slab Leak?

You already know that it’s not an easy task to fix slab leaks, and it can be a very time-consuming process. You’ve probably already learned that because you’re looking for information online.

But how serious is this issue, really? Well…

Slab leaks are among the most serious problems that you could have happen to your home because they threaten not only peace of mind and stability in life, but also physical safety.

In fact, slab leaks are one of the largest causes of home insurance claims because they tend to have some significant repercussions:

If you have a slab leak, this means that the water has seeped through your foundation and may now be seeping into your flooring, your furniture, your walls, electrical wiring and more. This type of damage can be dangerous–especially if it goes around to electrical wires and other important components in your home!

Other problems a slab leak can create are…

  • Foul odors – a musty odor or smell of raw sewage may be present
  • Mold – which can occur within 24 hours
  • Structural damage to your foundation – a serious slab leak may cause your foundation to shift, crack and possibly collapse.
  • Damage to your yard – gardens, lawn, pathways, driveways, pools, etc. can all be damaged from a severe leak in your underground plumbing.

Does Insurance Cover Slab Leaks?

Slab leaks are a huge problem when it comes to property damage and have been known to cost homeowners thousands of dollars. However, there is hope in the form of insurance policies that will cover these types of problems!

If a slab leak is the result of a covered peril, causing further damage to your home, dwelling protection and personal property insurance on your homeowners policy may offer financial protection. – esurance.com

We recommend that you check with your insurance agent but in most cases slab leak repairs are covered under most homeowner’s policies.

Are Slab Leaks Common?

Yes, in older neighborhoods and business buildings, slab leaks are quite common.

The majority of the reason that they occur is due to the age of the water lines as they deteriorate over time. So, it makes sense that they occur most often in more established areas.

But, also, if you live in an area that’s prone to earthquakes, underground streams, or soil erosion then your underground pipes need a little extra protection. Slab leaks are common when these factors intersect with improper construction so if you’re at risk for them it might be time to consult the services of a plumber who is licensed and insured!

What Are The Signs Of A Slab Leak?

There are 13 signs that indicate that you may have a slab leak in your home.

  • If you notice any cracks (especially new ones) in your concrete garage floor, basement floor, driveway, patio, drywall, house, etc.
  • If you notice any pools of water either in your yard or in your house.
  • If you notice any warping or buckling of your floors, cracked floor tiles, soggy carpeting.
  • Moist or wet baseboards and drywall.
  • If you smell mold and mildew or if you see some.
  • If your interior doors get stuck when you close and/or open them.
  • If you walk barefoot over a spot on your floor and notice that the spot is hot or warmer than other parts of the floor.
  • If your water bill was higher last month than usual.
  • If your water pressure suddenly decreases.
  • If your toilets, showers and bathtubs back up.
  • If you notice that your hot water heater is constantly running.
  • If you are running out of hot water faster than you used to.
  • If you hear sounds of running water but you don’t have any faucets running.

If you notice any of these signs, we strongly recommend that you contact your plumber immediately.

Conclusion

If you have a slab leak, it’s important to get it repaired as soon as possible. After all, these leaks can lead to mold and other health hazards if they are not dealt with in a timely manner.

With that said, there is no telling how long the repair will take because of so many factors; however, we hope that this article has helped shed some light on what might be involved when repairing your concrete floor after a slab leak!


If you have any questions about slab leaks or are having some problems with it, call Atlantis Plumbing today at 770-505-8570. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.