We'll Find & Fix Slab Leaks in Your Abilene, Texas Home
As a homeowner, you may dread no repair more than a slab leak. Because they affect the copper pipes underneath your foundation, they’re hard to detect and hard to get to. But left unchecked, they can quickly cause dips in water pressure, water damage in your home, mold and mildew, and foundation issues. That’s why if you are experiencing suspicious signs of a slab leak, it’s important to call a plumber right away.
Many plumbers in and around Abilene rely on third-party leak detection providers, costing you weeks while you wait for them to fit you into their schedule. At Earl’s Plumbing, we’ve invested in our own leak detection and location equipment so that we can provide you with fast service when you need it.
Why Choose Earl’s for Suspected Slab Leaks
Slab leak repairs can be some of the most costly plumbing repairs, and as such, some plumbers have taken advantage of the situation. There are companies that only take on slab leak projects, but just because they say that’s their specialty doesn’t make them great plumbers. It simply means they’re only after the big bucks and don’t care about helping homeowners with the whole picture.
The team at Earl’s calls it like we see it, and we see these companies refusing to take on small repairs and installations as a real shame. We’ll put it this way: do you really want to hire a plumbing contractor who doesn’t want to “waste their time” on jobs that don’t make them as much money? Or do you want a team that takes on every project—big or small—with respect?
Even if We’re Not Your First Plumber, We’ll Be Your Last
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Answers to Your Frequently Asked Questions
Our team has put together this guide to prepare you for what to expect when you call us for a slab leak and answer some of the most common questions we get from homeowners in Abilene.
But more often than not, these other signs and symptoms will tip you off first.
- Water Bill Increases: Sometimes, a water bill hundreds of dollars higher than usual is the first sign of a slab leak.
- High Usage Utility Notice: The water company will place a notice on your door or in your mailbox if your normal usage spikes considerably.
- Hot Spots on the Floor: Because about 70% of slab leaks occur on hot water lines, unusual warm areas radiating through the floor are a red flag (pro tip: your pets are likely to want to lay on these spots).
- Sound of Running Water: Faint hissing, spraying, or running water sounds when no fixtures are being used could be a warning sign. Just remember that it could be your tankless water heater or hot water recirculation system running its normal cycle as well.
- Water Meter Dial: Your water meter’s dial or digital meter shouldn’t register usage if there are no fixtures running. If it does, that could mean a leak (but don’t panic—it could be any type of leak).
- Flooring Damage: Wooden floorboards that swell, lift, cup, or peak are a sign of moisture. Take note of any dampness on carpets or darker grout on tile as well.
- Exterior Signs: Standing water in your yard, permanent muddy spots, or water wicking over the bottom row of bricks of your home’s exterior are worth investigating.
Ask your insurance provider the following crucial question:
“Does my policy have an endorsement to cover slab and foundation-related damages caused by water leaks from BOTH water lines and sewer breaks?”
Though almost half of the homeowners we work with don’t have this endorsement, it’s fairly easy and affordable (in general) to add it. For less than $80 a year in some cases, you could protect yourself against thousands of dollars in excavation or “access” work.
Bigger insurance companies that you know from TV and ads are typically the worst for not telling people to consider the slab leak or foundation endorsement. They also tend to pay out less in damages, cover significantly less, and/or deny more claims than smaller or local insurance companies. Before you encounter a major problem with major out-of-pocket expenses, get yourself covered!
That’s why it’s so important to ask about the policy endorsements on your homeowners insurance. No one wants to be stuck having to pay this amount out of pocket.
When you call us, we’ll ask multiple questions and perform a thorough evaluation to rule out other common issues, such as:
- Leaking toilets
- Stuck irrigation valves
- Issues with various shut-off valves
- Failed T&P valve on water heaters
- Hose spigot leaks
- Pool autofill valve malfunctions
In order to do that, various water supply shut-off valves need to be accessible and in proper working order:
- Main Water Shut-Off Valve: Every single home in Texas has a main water shut-off valve, though you may not know where it is. If you didn’t know you had one, it could be in a state of disrepair, especially if your home was built before 2012. To avoid making any potential leaks worse, have this valve inspected before you use it.
- Irrigation Double Check Valve: Look for a rectangular box with a green lid near the street or your main water meter. Inside, you’ll find the irrigation double check valve. Having this valve in good condition is important so that we can isolate the irrigation system from your main water supply, ensuring the leak isn’t on the irrigation side.
- Water Heater Shut-Off Valve: We also need to isolate the water heater when we perform slab leak testing. A properly functioning valve on your water heater will help us completely shut off the water that goes to your water heater.
- Toilet Supply Shut-Off Valves: Also known as an angle stop, this valve is critical for times when toilets are leaking, overflowing, or constantly running. A poor quality or builder-grade angle stop could be behind a leak situation. We always recommend (though we don’t require) that our customers upgrade any plastic angle stops to metal, corrosion-resistant, quarter-turn type valves.
- Hose Spigot or Bib: The valve outside your home where you connect your hose needs to be leak- and drip-free while we’re testing for slab leaks. We’ll use one of your hose spigots to attach our pressure gauges to the water supply system, so we need at least one to be in good working order.
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Even if We’re Not Your First Plumber, We’ll Be Your Last
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