Finding a way to avoid disastrous slab leaks will greatly lower the risk of encountering serious water damage in your house. This is especially important if you live in an area that experiences slab leaks more often. If so, your home is under a bigger threat, which is why taking preemptive action is paramount.
One of the most effective measures you can take is hiring a dependable Orange County slab leak detection service to reveal any issues on time. However, there’s much more you can do to avoid a slab leak, so stay tuned!
What causes a leak in the slab?
Before getting to the prevention methods, we’ll go through the most common causes of slab leaks:
Outside pressure
Outside pressure can result in a slab leak in many scenarios. For instance, if the soil under your foundation shifts, your house can move slightly and put pressure on the pipes. Other phenomena can also cause outside pressure:
- Soil erosion
- Underground streams
- Earthquakes
Slab leaks can leave many signs, regardless of the cause. But if yours was brought about by this type of pressure, it can lead to flooding and require comprehensive slab leak fixing methods.
Improper construction and corrosion
If the quality of your pipes is generally poor or if they are improperly installed, the chances of a slab leak are much higher. Moreover, if the lines were dented, bent, or kinked during the installation, the damaged areas can cause a leak.
If you have copper pipes, you’re even more likely to see a leak or burst. This is because they are softer and more susceptible to the elements that lead to corrosion.
Poor water quality and chemistry
Water that’s either too alkaline (soft) or acidic (hard) can corrode your pipes. Therefore, keep an eye on the water’s pH level and be on the lookout for green or blue stains in the bathtub, sink, or shower.
How to prevent slab leaks
You can adopt several good practices that will help you avoid slab leaks:
Don’t use excessive water pressure
While using high water pressure can help with many tasks, too much pressure can weaken the pipes and rupture them. If you believe your water pressure is a bit higher than normal, contact a plumber to check out your system. They can adjust the water pressure if necessary to prevent leaks.
Refrain from chemical cleaners
Homeowners typically use chemical drain cleaners to unclog sinks and many other areas. However, they can be extremely harsh cleaners and harm your pipes. Instead, you can hire a professional plumber and have them shake the drains if they are clogged.
Address hard water
As previously mentioned, hard water can damage your pipes. If you’re aware that your water is hard, you should take action to handle the issue. For instance, you can install a water softener to improve the condition of your water and ward off unnecessary harm to your pipes.
Does your Orange County home need tried-and-true slab leak detection pros? Give us a call right now!
Even if you take all the measures described above, it’s best to have the experts by your side. Thankfully, the finest slab leak detection service is a phone call away. Just reach out to EHS and we’ll send detail-oriented plumbers who know exactly what to look for. They’ll scan each corner to determine if you have a slab leak problem and recommend the best course of action.
Suspecting that you have a slab leak may have been troubling you and delayed a visit to the Lyon Air Museum. But now that EHS is here, you’ll have your peace of mind back, allowing you to enjoy the awe-inspiring exhibits without brooding on slab leaks.
Book EHS and water damage will no longer be an issue!