Slab Leak Detection and Repair in McKinney, Texas

Slab leaks from pipes under your home’s foundation can be devastating for your McKinney, Texas, property. However, due to their location, you may not even know when one is occurring. Bewley Plumbing has the knowledge and tools to detect and repair slab leaks within your home or business.

What Is a Slab Leak, and How Does It Affect McKinney Homes?

A slab leak is a rupture or a pinhole leak in the plumbing pipes that are embedded within or beneath a home’s concrete foundation. These leaks can cause significant long-term damage, as they can be hard to catch since the pipes are hidden.

Homes in McKinney, Texas, are prone to slab leaks due to the unique environmental conditions of the soil. Shifting clay soil, the expansive black clay in North Texas, swells with rain and shrinks during the hot, dry summers. This continuous soil movement shifts the foundation, which places pressure on pipes. This results in serious damage, such as pipe abrasion and corrosion, foundation damage, and costly water bills.

Warning Signs You May Have a Slab Leak

The following are warning signs of a slab leak in your home. Please note that this list is not exhaustive, and some of these signs may indicate other problems.

• Increased water bills – An increase in water bills, especially with no explanation, may indicate a pipe leak.
• A running water sound when no taps are open – If you hear running water when no taps are open, it can indicate a leak.
• Cracks in the foundation – Water damage can cause cracks to develop in a foundation.
• Floor coverings are discolored or damp – Discolored or damp floor coverings can indicate a slab leak. Black, brown, or green carpet stains may be a sign of water damage.
• Warped floors or raised planks – Floors that are warped or have planks that have “popped” can be a sign of a slab leak. If a leak persists for a long time, it can cause warping.
• Less hot water available – This may be due to a hot water pipe leak, possibly beneath a pipe.
• Damp or warm spots on the floor – Slab leaks can cause damp spots. If the slab leak is from a hot water pipe, it may create a warm spot on the floor.
• Floors have a moldy or mildew smell – The smell of mold or mildew coming from the floor may be due to water from a slab leak. Slab leaks can create prime conditions for mold growth.
• Lawn damage near foundation – Lawn damage or standing water near a foundation may be due to a slab leak. You may see insects in parts of the lawn where water is present.
• Soil shifts around the foundation – Soil shifting around the foundation, which may create gaps, can indicate a slab leak.
• Mold or mildew near the foundation – Trapped water from a pipe leak can create ideal conditions for mold or mildew growth. If mold or mildew grows near the foundation, there may be water present from a slab leak.
• Heaving foundation – Heaving foundations may indicate a slab leak. In extreme cases, foundation swelling can cause a home to lift.

How Plumbers Detect Leaks Under a Slab

Plumbers have several methods for detecting leaks under slabs, including:

• Hydrostatic pressure testing – Hydrostatic pressure testing involves putting an inflatable ball in a pipe. Then the sewer line is filled to the slab level with water and is observed for 15 minutes. If the water level doesn’t decrease, it indicates there is no leak. 
• Static leak isolation testing – Static leak isolation testing is done in conjunction with hydrostatic pressure testing and often involves a video camera inspection. This test involves isolating an area with a leak. As with hydrostatic pressure testing, an inflatable test ball is inserted into the pipe to isolate a section, which is then filled with water.
• Camera inspection – A camera inspection involves inserting a flexible camera into a pipe to allow the plumber to see potential leak areas.
• Infrared thermography – Infrared thermography enables plumbers to visualize temperature variations caused by leaks.
• Acoustic leak detection – Acoustic leak detection involves inserting a microphone into a pipe so a plumber can listen for the leak.

When It’s Time to Consider Pipe Replacement

There are times when it isn’t practical to repair a pipe, and it is more reasonable to replace it. 

The following are a few, though not all, examples of this.

• Harmful pipe material – If you have lead pipes, you’ll want to have them replaced, as they can pose a health risk.
• Pipe’s age – Eventually, pipes will need to be replaced as their condition deteriorates over time. Longevity depends on the pipe material.
• Frequent leaks – Recurring leaks, particularly in different parts of the home, may indicate the need for pipe replacement.

Why Choose Bewley Plumbing for Slab Leak Concerns?

If you have concerns about a slab leak in your McKinney, Texas, home, there are many good reasons to choose Bewley Plumbing, including.

• Senior, military, and teacher discounts
• Licensed and insured
• Recipient of numerous awards
• Many five-star reviews and testimonials
• In business since 1947
• Woman- and family-owned

Cities We Serve:

• Plano, Texas
• Allen, Texas
• McKinney, Texas
• Melissa, Texas
• Prosper, Texas
• Celina, Texas
• Frisco, Texas

FAQs