Most homes in Broward and Miami-Dade are built on concrete slabs, and many of their water lines run underneath. When one of those lines leaks, the water often disappears into the sandy soil below, so you may not see a puddle at all. Here are the signs we look for.
1. A water bill that doesn't make sense
If your bill jumps and your habits haven't changed, a hidden leak is a leading suspect. A steady leak of even a fraction of a gallon per minute adds up to thousands of gallons a month.
2. The meter moves when everything is off
Turn off every faucet, the irrigation system, the ice maker and the washer. Then look at the water meter's small leak indicator (often a triangle or dial). If it keeps moving over 10 to 15 minutes, water is going somewhere.
3. Warm spots on the floor
A leak on a hot-water line heats the slab above it. Walking barefoot and feeling a warm patch on tile is one of the classic signs of a hot-water slab leak.
4. The sound of running water
In a quiet house, you may hear a faint hiss or rushing sound near a wall or floor even when nothing is running.
5. Damp flooring, cracked tile or lifting wood
Moisture pushing up through the slab can loosen tile, swell laminate and wood, or leave carpet damp along one area.
6. Musty odors or mold on baseboards
Persistent humidity from below feeds mold, especially along baseboards and inside closets.
7. Low pressure or a water heater that runs constantly
A significant leak drops pressure at your fixtures. A hot-water leak can also make your water heater run far more than usual.
What to do if you suspect a slab leak
Don't start opening floors on a hunch. Professional leak detection uses pressure testing, acoustic equipment and thermal imaging to pinpoint the leak so only a small area needs to be opened, or so the line can be rerouted around the slab entirely. If your home has had more than one slab leak, ask about a reroute or repipe; repeated leaks usually mean the pipe is wearing out.
Need help?
Our leak detection & repair team serves Davie and all of Broward County. Call (954) 870-5492.