Slab homes are built on a solid concrete foundation, and this type of home will not have a crawlspace or basement under the main floor. Homes with slab foundations are fairly common and have several advantages. The cement block is relatively inexpensive to construct and may help prevent infestation from termites and other pests, but slab homes are not without potential problems. Here are some of the most common plumbing issues you may have to deal with if you live in one.
Tough-to-Access Pipes
Plumbing pipes can be tough to get to in slab homes. “Under slab plumbing” is surrounded by cement and generally difficult to access or repair. This means that if a pipe or connector fails, it may be difficult to detect until the problem has caused enough damage to make it obvious. It can also be more challenging to fix under slab plumbing problems since merely tracing the source of the leak can take considerable time and effort.
Environmental Damage
Over the years, a concrete slab can begin to crack due to natural geological shifting. Tree roots may infiltrate these cracks, exacerbating the problem. This can damage and even break plumbing pipes, which is one potential cause of the next problem on our list.
Wet Slab
When pipes leak or break, the water will seep into the concrete slab. The problem with many slab homes is that it’s nearly impossible to dry the concrete foundation. A wet concrete slab can lead to costly damage and encourage mold and bacteria growth. Recently constructed slab homes usually have a moisture barrier to prevent this from happening, but homes built prior to 1980 are not likely to have such a protective barrier.
How to Know If Your Slab Home Has Plumbing Problems
With plumbing problems, there are generally warning signs. If you’re not sure what to look for, here are some indications that there may be issues with the plumbing in your slab foundation home:
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Low water pressure
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Unexplained increase in your water bill
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Wet and/or soft spots on the floor
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Areas of standing water or low spots around your property
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Cracks in the walls of your home
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Visible damage to your home’s foundation
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Foul odor in your home
If you think you may have plumbing issues in your slab home, it’s important to take action before the problem gets worse. Repairing plumbing in slab homes will most likely require a plumbing professional, and leaks and other issues are costly if left unchecked.
For answers to your questions, contact The Pink Plumber today.
