Residential slab leak detection and slab leak repairs are difficult and often time-consuming tasks. With the slab leak, it could be something as small as a single hairline crack all the way up to a slab break that seeps water underneath the slab. These types of leaks can cause structural damage over time, result in expensive lost water bills, and lead to unhealthy living conditions. To make matters worse, slab leakage can also cause other household problems such as rotting floors or mold growth. Fortunately, there are slab leak detection techniques to help homeowners identify slab leaks before they get out of hand.

How Much Does It Cost?

Most slab leaks are undetectable to the naked eye. It takes highly-trained slab leak technicians with special equipment, such as electronic listening devices called “probe microphones” or “water hammers,” to find slab leaks. These probes pick up the sound of underground water movement and record it for review by a trenchless plumber. This way, they can pinpoint where the slab leak is located under the slab and determine how big of an area needs to be excavated and repaired first. The main cause of slab leaks is poor installation or age. Older homes built between 1950 and 1980 typically have slab leaks because, during those early days of Plumbing Technology, homes were not equipped with modern features such as re-piping to meet current plumbing code standards. Consequently, homeowners who are experiencing slab leaks in their homes need to have the work performed by a certified trenchless plumber or water leak detection company.

The video below shows an example of how electronic listening devices called “water hammers” are used to find slab leaks . A small microphone is pressed against the top of the pipes where electricity is sent through small wires attached to each probe microphone. The electrical voltage forces water through the pipe and if there is already water beneath it which escapes due to a leak, that’s when it makes a sound that can be common as thunder. The plumber simply continues moving the probe around until he hears where exactly that noise is coming from. Once it is determined, excavation and repair work can begin.

Learn more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leak_detection