Repair & Leak Detection McKinney, TX

How Common are McKinney, TX Slab Leaks?

When our team gets calls about slab leaks, we ask questions to figure out what’s the best course of action. We don’t necessarily jump straight to the slab leak location. It’s been our experience that about 40% of the calls we get for a suspected slab leak turn out to be something far less complicated and expensive to deal with.

Here are some of the most common issues we uncover when a suspected slab leak turns out to be something else entirely:

• Leaky builder-grade toilets: Aging toilets from brands like ProFlo, Mansfield, Gerber, Western, and Vortens are frequent offenders in many McKinney homes. When the components wear down and show signs of damage, they can cause silent leaks that drive up water bills and mimic slab leak symptoms.
• Irrigation valves stuck open: Older sprinkler systems frequently experience stuck valves after about 5 years, especially anything installed with standard builder packages. These types of hidden leaks in the yard can be alarming and easily be mistaken for a serious slab leak.
• Worn-out shut-off or pressure-reducing valves: If your home is over 10 years old, you may have a degraded shut-off valve or PRV that causes issues with water pressure or unexpected leaks. We frequently see this kind of simple problem in McKinney and neighboring communities like Prosper and Little Elm.
• Faulty T&P valve on your water heater: The temperature and pressure relief valve (T&P valve) is designed to keep your water heater safe, but in lower-end or big-box models, these can fail after about 6 to 8 years. If it malfunctions, you could end up with significant water spillage and damage.
• Dripping outdoor spigots or hoses left running: Sometimes the problem is as simple as a loose hose connection or worn-out hose bib gasket that’s letting water pool out.
• Pool autofill valve malfunction: Although we don’t see it very often, a faulty pool autofill valve could cause a steady stream of hidden water loss that can look like a significant plumbing leak.

How Does a Plumber Detect a Slab Leak in McKinney?

If the leak isn’t clearly visible, it takes some process of elimination to figure out what’s really going on. Before we get to work testing for hidden pipe or slab leaks, we take a look at your home’s water shut-off valves.

These powerful valves control the flow of water into your plumbing system. If they start failing or aren’t working efficiently, they can cause issues or throw off our test results.

If you live in McKinney or North Texas, you probably have one of these two types of shut-off valves:

Gate Valves

Gate valves are the old-school, basic valves that are often found in original construction homes because they’re inexpensive and easy to source. They resemble an outdoor faucet and require twisting the handle several full turns to get the main water supply off. Gate valves rely on an internal rubber washer to create a seal, but as they age, the washer breaks down, and over time, that washer breaks down and can cause leaks and other issues. Eventually, gate valves can rust, corrode, or break off, especially if the valve is buried in your yard and exposed to groundwater or minerals in the soil. The team at Earl’s sees this frequently in McKinney homes that are 10 to 20 years old and still using the original yard line hardware.

Ball Valves

Ball valves are the go-to standard in the plumbing industry. Instead of twisting the valve and wearing it down, you simply move a single lever a quarter turn. There’s no on or off, no guesswork, and no overtightening. These valves are built to last and perform well, even when exposed to harsh conditions. The team at Earl’s Plumbing exclusively uses ball valves for all installations and replacements. You won’t find a gate valve on our trucks unless it’s attached to a hose spigot. It’s true ball valves cost more, but they’re far more reliable and efficient. We only want the best for our McKinney homeowners.

What is a Main Water Line or “Yard Line”?

Your main water line is the underground pipe that delivers clean, drinkable water from the city’s supply into your home. This is often referred to as the “yard line” as it runs beneath your front lawn and to the meter.

However, this line doesn’t just include the pipe itself. It also includes everything between the water meter and your home’s foundation. The main shut-off valve, the pressure-reducing valve (PRV), and all related joints and fittings are part of this system.

Homeowners should know that their water provider’s responsibility ends at the meter. Anything else that happens is up to you to repair. However, the city will typically fix a water meter leak that is usually minor and relatively affordable to fix.

Plumbing code requires that main water lines be no smaller than 3/4 inches in diameter, but the actual size depends on the home’s square footage and the number of plumbing fixtures. Our team usually sees 1-inch water lines as standard, though 1-1/4″ or even 1-1/2″ lines are sometimes used in larger or custom-built properties. That’s why our McKinney plumber will often ask about your home’s size before beginning any work. It helps us determine whether your system is properly equipped to handle your water needs.