How Slab Leak Detection Can Save Your Home

Did you know that slab leak detection is one of the most important services that a licensed professional plumbing service can provide? The reality is that the most difficult part about slab leaks is that once you detect them with the naked eye, it can already be too late and already cost you hundreds, if not thousands of dollars in damages. More importantly, you can even be opening up your family to health risks without knowing it.

Is your home susceptible?

Basically, any home can succumb to slab leaks especially if the home plumbing system is not given the proper attention it needs. Are you aware that leaks is just the start of your problems? Once the leak begins, moisture starts to build up behind your walls resulting in possible mold formation.

Unless you have a home that uses mold-resistant materials or paint, then moisture will always cause problems. In most homes, moisture will come from the plumbing system that is experiencing leaks. If you are not using walls that are made up of pressure treated wood combined with rigid insulation or make use of paperless drywall, then mold will always have something to feed on.

Is there mold infestation?

Before you jump to any conclusions and start panicking, you have to make sure that what you are looking at is mold and not just dirt because you haven’t cleaned your walls for the longest time. You may think that it is not that difficult to distinguish between mold and dirt, but you may be surprised.

Small and largely hidden mold growths can look like simple dirt on the surface, but when you try to explore deeper, you may find that your home already has mold infestation. So how do you check? Do a quick test by dipping a swap in a solution that is 1 part bleach and 16 parts water. Dab the wall with it and see if any spots lighten quickly or keeps on appearing after you have cleaned it off.

In all probability, you are looking at a mold growth. There are of course mold test kits that you can buy, but they won’t tell you what caused it or if the cause is related to your home plumbing system. A licensed professional plumber can help establish whether your home plumbing system has something to do with it.

Checking for Leaks

How can you check for leaks is the source lies behind a slab or drywall? The easiest way is to tear down the wall or break open the slab foundation. But wait, there is a better and simpler way, ask for a slab leak detection to be done in your home.

It is easy to check for leaks if the mold appears near water lines, plumbing fixtures, or water pipes, but behind walls and slabs, you would need to rely on specialized equipment that can accurately identify and pinpoint the source of the leak. In most cases molds feed off any nearby leaks and letting the water just run off via the leak would mean keeping the surrounding area really damp and fertile for mold growth.

Can you check the source of the leak by following the water trail? Of course, but, the real question is, can that be reliable? Keep in mind that water can travel in any direction, and unless your walls are sloping downwards you cannot assume that the water trail is really headed in that direction. In fact, if the leak has been existing for quite some time, there is a huge chance that the source of the leak is already considerably far from where you observe mold growth.

So why is slab leak detection important? Because it will save your home and your family from unwanted expenses, damages, and danger. Scott English Plumbing is one of the best when it comes to slab leak detection, so for your peace of mind, give them a call today!