How to Fix a Slab Leak

In homes that do not have basements or crawl spaces, one of the most dreaded things is the slab leak. That is a water leak under the concrete slab foundation. If your water bill or electric bill is higher than usual, you can suspect a hot water leak. It can cause plenty of damage if left without repair. Fixing this plumbing problem is not as difficult as it seems.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Drill or jackhammer
• Extra flooring
• Construction adhesive
• Pipe cutter
• Pipe
• Welder
• Concrete

Steps Involved in Repairing a Slab Leak

1. Identify the location of the leak. If this is a hot water leak, walking around with bare feet will probably lead you right to the area. Since the leak is under the floor, your feet will not get burned but will only feel warm when you come across the leak. Mark the area with masking tape.

2. Remove the flooring from the area. Try to remove as little flooring as possible--a square foot piece--to prevent extensive damage and replacement.

3. Using a concrete drill bit, begin to drill through the concrete. Since the slab is about four inches thick, this will take some time. Make an opening big enough for your hand to fit in so that you can reach down to feel the leak. Once you have located the leak, make the opening bigger to repair the pipe.

4. Shut the water at the main and using a pipe cutter, cut off the piece of pipe that is leaking. Replace the type of pipe you removed with an identical piece, whether copper or pvc. If pvc, cut a new piece of the same length and replace it as you would in any other pvc pipe repair. If it is copper, you will need to weld the piece into place. Leave this hole open for a day or two to make sure that the leak is properly sealed.

5. Mix a bag of concrete and fill the hole to the top, sealing it with the surrounding slab. Leave to dry and cure to several days.

6. Once cured, use construction adhesive to secure a new piece of flooring in place.

Tips & Warnings

• Using a leak detection service will make locating the leak easier. It can then be repaired by following these steps. Also, remember to check with your home insurer, as many will cover any damage and flooring replacement that has occurred.

[edithtexas]

on 4/28/2009 Sorry its - http://www.accurateleak.com

[edithtexas]

on 4/28/2009 You might want to check out trenchless pipe restoration. It is great - they use an epoxy pipeliner that repairs the inside of the pipe. It saved us a bunch of money.The guys that helped were great - http://accurateleak.comIt is a cool technology.Edith