Finding Water Leaks Under Concrete

If the water meter test indicates a leak inside your home check the cabinets under the kitchen laundry and bathroom sinks to make sure they re dry.

Finding water leaks under concrete.

A slab leak is a break in a pipe that runs beneath the concrete foundation of your home. If you notice that one area of the floor is hotter or colder than another area chances are you have a water leak. Concrete allows sound to pass through it fairly cleanly this is due to there being little variation in the density or make up of the material. Water stains on the ceiling or joists below.

Investigate appliances and fixtures. Infrared cameras don t see water but rather can visualize the impact water has on the temperature of surfaces around them due to the evaporation process. If you find no leaks coming from these apparent sites then there s a high likelihood that you have a leak under the floor. With concrete slab leaks contrast in temperatureis important in enabling the thermal camera to visualize the source of a potential leak.

If you have carpeted floors search for areas that look darker or are unexpectedly damp. To escape this water may pool on top of your floors yard or the concrete itself. Signs of trouble bathtub drain leaking. In the case of a tub set on a concrete slab the leak will ruin flooring in the bathroom or adjoining rooms.

Water bills that are suddenly higher than normal this can be accompanied by higher gas electric bills if the leak is in a hot water pipe sudden presence of mold mildew in walls or under carpet areas of the floor that are suddenly warm if you have pets they may suddenly prefer to sit in these warm spots. Slab leaks create water build ups underneath your concrete foundation. To find a water leak under a concrete floor is relatively straightforward particularly if the leak has a high frequency or has a high volume. How to find the source of a leaking tub drain.

Slab leaks can occur in either water or sewer lines. When the pipe breaks water seeps into the ground and your home s foundation. An easy trick if the water leak is hot water is to simply place your hand on the floor or walk barefoot. The only problem you may encounter is cavitation this.