Plumbing is quintessential to daily living. Without it, the quality of life at home will be severely impacted. Plumbing issues don’t just concern fixtures such as the sink and the toilet, but also the pipes. In many cases, these plumbing pipes go through the floor, and breaking means a slab leak has occurred.
A slab leak is a pipe problem that usually occurs when pipes under the floor have gotten a hole in it. This hole can be in the piping itself, or there may be a break in the electrical wiring running near the piping. It could even be a gas leak and indicate a severe problem with the plumbing system. Because of this, a homeowner must get a professional to solve the issue immediately. However, not many people know what causes them, so we’ll discuss them in this article. These include:
#1 – Exterior Pressure
When you have a slab leak, several things need to be taken into consideration, one of which is the area’s water pressure. For example, if you live near a body of water, and you are getting the slab leak, the water pressure and the salt content of the water are not on your side.
When there is a blockage in the piping, water will start to take a different path to get to its destination. The pressure in the pipes becomes too great, and it will break the piping, causing a slab leak. If you keep your home’s piping as clean and unblocked as possible, you should be able to avoid this problem.
#2 – Abrasion
Piping is made out of many different materials, some of them being less than durable. If you let your piping get old, it will most likely get worn out and be more susceptible to damage. If this is the case, the piping itself could be more likely to have a slab leak occur.
It can come from garbage disposals or pressure washing the area around the concrete. If you do this often, you need to ensure that you’re not damaging the piping.
#3 – Bad Water Quality and Chemistry
When it comes to slab leaks, the water quality that you use is also a factor. The water quality can affect how the piping reacts, and if it is too difficult to work with, it could be susceptible to slab leaks.
The pH of the water is also an essential factor. If the pH of the water is too acidic or too alkaline, it can also cause problems with the piping. It can cause the piping to have a hole in it or to not react well with specific materials that are being used. If you’re experiencing a slab leak, this may be the cause, and you should have the piping taken care of as soon as possible.
#4 – Lousy Construction
Any time you have a plumbing problem, there are several things that you need to consider. One of these things is a product defect, or if the piping was not properly constructed. If the piping was not correctly built, the pipes were not installed correctly in the first place.
This could lead to the entire slab being compromised, and the pipes could crack through the concrete. When this happens, it will be challenging to repair.
#5 – Aging
The piping itself can also cause a problem with the slab leak. Over time, the piping can become more susceptible to breaking. This is because the piping can lose its shape and become more rigid over time. If this happens, the piping will be more likely to break when put under stress.
This can be a costly problem to fix. If you want to avoid this problem, you should consider getting the piping taken care of as soon as possible.
Finding a Plumber
The only way to fix a slab leak is by hiring a professional plumber. It’s not something that can be fixed by a homeowner or someone who is not highly trained in this area.
Ensure that you seek out a plumber who has experience and expertise in this area. They will be able to identify the underlying cause of the slab leak, and they will be able to get it fixed as soon as possible.
However, you also need to find a reliable plumber that you can trust. They need to be someone who will do the work that needs to be done and someone you can work with to solve problems in the future.
Conclusion
A slab leak is a severe problem that can cause huge issues with your home and your floor. You need to solve it as soon as possible, and the only way to do that is by hiring a plumber. Just hire the right plumber, and your home’s plumbing will be better once again.
If you’re looking for plumbing companies in Tulsa, Wooten Knockout Plumbing is the one for you! Our professional plumbers will ensure that your home’s plumbing is always in peak condition, all for an affordable price. Call us at 918-367-8887 to book an appointment!
