Slab leak detection in San Antonio, TX
Floor warm under your feet, faint hissing with every tap closed, a meter that keeps creeping. Those point to a slab leak, and we pinpoint it before any concrete is opened.
Signs you need this
- Warm or damp spot on the floor
- Sound of running water under the house
- Cracks in the floor or walls that are new
- Water bill climbing for no reason
Why it happens
Newer homes across the south side are built on concrete slabs with water lines running underneath. The expansive clay soil here shifts with rain and drought, which can rub, stress or crack those lines. Hot water lines leak more often because heat makes the pipe expand and contract. Finding the spot accurately is what keeps the repair affordable.
Slab leaks are common enough in San Antonio that most homeowners either have had one or know someone who has. The clay soil under foundations moves a lot, and the pipes under the slab move with it. Hot lines suffer the most, because they expand and contract with every use. Once we locate the leak, we will walk you through a direct repair through the floor, a reroute through walls or attic, or a larger repipe if the system is failing. Each has a different cost and disruption, and the right answer depends on your house.
What we check first
- Meter test to confirm water loss
- Pressure test of hot and cold lines separately
- Acoustic listening through the floor
- Thermal imaging for hot line leaks
Your options
Direct repair
Open the slab at the marked spot and repair the pipe.
Reroute
Abandon the leaking line and run new pipe through walls or the attic.
Repipe
When multiple slab leaks show the system is failing.
Before we get there
- Check the meter with all water off
- Note any warm spots on the floor
- Clear furniture from suspect areas
What affects the price
Detection is a separate visit from the repair. Once the leak is found, you get prices for a direct repair and a reroute so you can choose. Access through flooring and restoration are listed separately.
After a long drought followed by heavy rain, we see more slab leaks across the south side as the clay swells back. If the bill jumps after a wet spell, check your meter.
Slab leak detection questions
Do you break up the floor to find it?
No. We locate it first, then only open the spot we have marked.
Is a reroute better than a direct repair?
Often for a second or third leak. Running new line above ground avoids future slab digs.
Will insurance cover a slab leak?
Many policies cover access and resulting damage. Check your policy and we can document what we find.
How do I know if it is the hot or cold line?
A warm floor spot points to hot. We test each line separately to confirm.