Slab Leaks And Leak Detection in Plano
Every Plano area homeowner’s nightmare is to discover they may have a slab leak. Don’t worry, Harvey West Plumbing Company, is capable of performing leak detection and making the situation less destructive and more affordable.
There are two types of slab leaks- fresh water and sewer water. Slab leaks are usually discovered after a plumber is called in for repairs that are symptomatic of a slab leak.
Water slab leaks in Plano are normally discovered because of abnormally high water or gas utility bills, hearing water running without a source, hot spots on the floor, wet spots on the floor and occasionally foundations problems.
Sewer slab leaks are typically discovered due to foundation problems or constant sewer stoppages.
Slab leak determination
Depending on your circumstances and because each situation varies, we may be able to perform the water test only, sewer test only but in some cases both tests are necessary.
Determining if there is a fresh water leak below the slab foundation
A water leak test is simple and quick. This is as effortless as inspecting your water meter for movement and can easily rule out a slab leak if there is no water moving. If there is water moving through the meter, our licensed Plano plumbers must determine where the water is going
Determining if there is a sewer water leak below the slab foundation
A sewer leak test is more difficult to perform than a fresh water leak test. Main sewer line clean outs must be present to properly test the sewer system. We will fill the entire system with water and use a test ball to plug the sewer system. Our licensed plumbers will observe the sewer system to see if the level of water drops. Depending on the level of drop, it will determine if there is a leak present or not.
Fresh Water Leak Location or Sewer Leak isolation test
Fresh Water Leak Location– If our licensed plumber determines that there is a fresh water leak under the slab, he will immediately cut off the water. Then, air is pumped into the water lines and a special listening device is used to detect air escaping to pinpoint the location of the leak on your water system.
Sewer Leak isolation test – We will isolate the sewer leak(s) under the slab foundation by using different sized inflatable test balls and air hoses. We will test each section of the system with the test balls until the leak(s) is located. A camera may only show large separations in the pipe, but will not necessarily show a small crack. What may look like a leak on the camera may not actually be a leak, so using the camera to locate sewer leaks may to be as effective.
Access and Repair of Fresh Water Leak or Sewer Water Leak
There are two ways to access a leak under the concrete slab. One option is to jack hammer through the slab foundation and dig to the leak.
Tunneling under the foundation from the outside is the other way to access a leak. This may be the best way to access and repair sewer water leaks due to the size and possible length of pipe that may be damaged.
