Under your foundation is a neatly laid out network of plumbing that ferries your water throughout your home. However, just because they are covered by a layer of concrete doesn't mean they cannot leak. This can lead to a huge waste of water over time, and even worse, an expensive repair.
How Can You Prevent Slab Leaks?
Unfortunately, the truth about slab leaks is that sometimes they were caused by the plumber that installed the plumbing. They laid the plumbing in such a way that it was just a set up for eventual leaks years down the line. What this means is that there is really no preventing them sometimes, only detecting the leak and reacting. A slab leak will happen, it is just a matter of when. However, there are things you can do now to keep slab leaks to a minimum.
Avoid Copper Tubing
This is a problem that you find in older homes. These days, slab plumbing doesn't use copper purely because of all the problems that can happen with it. If you have copper plumbing in your slab, it is too late to replace it, but if you have a choice to make, choose newer PEX options. There are myriad problems with copper tubing in foundation, including:
- Small dents or pebbles in installation cause leaks over time
- Your water quality can eat away the copper
- Concrete can damage copper if not properly protected during the installation
Check Your Water Quality
Some homeowners prefer soft water while others enjoy their hard water. However, there is no question that hard water is particularly difficult on the plumbing. Over time, those minerals that make the water into hard water will build up and cause plumbing problems. Your slab plumbing is not immune. It is strongly recommended to get a water softener or an anti-scaler for your home.
Take Care of Your Foundation
Foundations will shift. It is just something that can happen over time as your foundation settles. However, plumbing should be installed to allow for expected settling. What causes problems is unexpected shifting. If you allow foundation problems to get worse, you can expect leaks to manifest.
Need Help?
Do you suspect you have a slab leak? At Texas Green Plumbing, we can help you detect the leak and walk you through the options you have for repairing it. Contact us today to see what we can do to help.