When building a home, the ground will be excavated and the soil will be graded, which means it is compacted and made strong. The foundation will be framed out and then underneath the slab, plumbing will be put in. Later the concrete will be poured into the framing, covering the pipes and other plumbing systems. PVC pipe is often used for most of the home’s plumbing system. PVC pipe is flexible and will adhere with the foundations as it settles. However, sometimes the foundation may shift too much, or a tree root will break the pipes. Plumbing problems often lead to major foundation issues. Today, Dallas Foundation Repair would like to share what occurs when the plumbing under the concrete slab develops problems and how to detect them.
What Happens When a Pipe Leaks Under the Foundation?
A number of things can occur that can result in the plumbing’s pipe breaking and leaking. Whether the plumbing sewer or drainage system breaks or even the water supply line, water will be introduced to the soil under the concrete slab. When the grading or the soil under the foundation is exposed to moisture, this can become very bad news for the longevity of the foundation. Moisture can weaken the structure of the grading and allow erosion to develop. Even slight erosion of the grading can lead to major soil movement which does cause major foundation problems. Often when the soil moves or shifts too much, the foundation will develop cracks or the foundation itself will move which is referred to as heaving. The site of the leak can cause the soil to wear down where the foundation becomes uneven or collapses into the weakened soil. The foundation will require repair and stabilizing. If major foundation problems occurred, you will need to have the foundation repaired before tending to the plumbing problem.
How Do You Know if You have a Plumbing Leak
It is best to repair an under slab plumbing problem before it affects the foundation. Often if you catch the plumbing problem fast enough and have it repaired, you can spare your foundation some major damages. When a leak occurs from the water supply line, they can be very hard to detect. However, you may notice an increase in your water bill and usage. If the leak developed close enough to the foundation’s edge, you may even notice the soil is always damp. Watch for damp soil or an increased water bill as it may point to a major water leak. Another sign to watch for is hot spots in the floor. If the hot water supply line breaks, it will leak hot water. You may feel a spot on the floor feeling warmer than the rest. Detecting a leak in the drainage or sewer line can be much harder. Not only are drainage or sewer leaks hard to detect, but they are also common. Clogs can cause the drainage pipes to crack. When the drainage or sewer pipes do crack you may notice odd gurgling noises coming from your drains.
Slab Foundation Repair in Lewisville, Flower Mound, Carrollton, Plano, Richardson, Grapevine, Garland, Mesquite, Grand Prairie, Arlington & Great Dallas, Texas
If you notice the early warning signs that you have a plumbing problem and it is underneath the foundation, have it repaired quickly. If you discover your foundation is in need of repair, contact Dallas Foundation Repair today.
