7 Warning Signs You Have a Slab Leak

That nagging feeling that something is wrong with your plumbing is easy to ignore. A little noise here, a small damp spot there. But when it comes to a slab leak, ignoring the early warning signs can be a costly mistake. A slab leak is a leak in the water lines beneath your home's foundation, and it is one of the most destructive plumbing problems a Las Vegas homeowner can face.

If you notice any of the following seven signs, it is time to stop guessing and call a professional. Your home may be trying to tell you something important.

1. A Sudden Spike in Your Water Bill

This is often the first and most obvious sign of a hidden leak. If you have not changed your water usage habits, but your bill has jumped significantly, you are paying for water that is being wasted somewhere in your system. A slab leak can pour out hundreds of gallons of water a day, and you will see it on your bill long before you see the physical damage.

2. The Sound of Running Water When Everything is Off

Late at night, when the house is quiet, do you hear the faint sound of running water? If all your faucets, toilets, and water-using appliances are off, you should not hear anything. That sound could be water flowing from a broken pipe under your foundation. This is a clear sign that you need to have your plumbing system inspected.

3. Warm or Damp Spots on Your Floor

Have you noticed a spot on your floor that is unusually warm to the touch? This is a classic sign of a hot water line leak under your slab. The heat from the leaking water is radiating up through the concrete and warming the flooring above. You may also notice damp carpets or warping hardwood floors in the same area.

4. Cracks in Your Walls or Foundation

A slab leak can erode the soil that supports your home's foundation. As the soil shifts, the foundation can settle or move, causing cracks to appear in your walls, ceilings, or the foundation itself. While not all cracks are caused by slab leaks, new or expanding cracks, especially when combined with other signs, are a serious cause for concern.

5. A Sudden Drop in Water Pressure

If you turn on a faucet and the water flow is noticeably weaker than usual, you could have a significant leak in your main water line. When a large amount of water is escaping from a pipe under your slab, there is less pressure to deliver water to your faucets and showerheads. This is a problem that will only get worse over time.

6. The Smell of Mold or Mildew

A persistent musty odor that you cannot seem to get rid of is a strong indicator of hidden moisture. A slab leak creates the perfect damp, dark environment for mold and mildew to thrive under your floors and behind your walls. This is not just a sign of a leak; it is a potential health hazard for you and your family.

7. Visible Water or Pooling Around Your Foundation

This is the most urgent sign of a slab leak. If you see water pooling around the exterior of your home's foundation, it means the ground beneath your slab is completely saturated. The leak has been going on for some time, and the water has nowhere else to go. This is a plumbing emergency that requires immediate attention to prevent severe structural damage.

What to Do if You Suspect a Slab Leak

If you have noticed one or more of these signs, do not wait. The longer you ignore a slab leak, the more damage it will cause. The first step is to call a qualified plumbing professional who specializes in slab leak detection.

At Vegas Repipe Pros, we use advanced electronic leak detection equipment to pinpoint the exact location of the leak without causing unnecessary damage to your home. Once we have confirmed the leak, we can discuss your repair options, including a permanent pipe reroute that will ensure you never have to worry about a slab leak again.