What are the signs of a slab leak?

Common signs include a warm or damp spot on the floor, the sound of running water when everything is off, a water bill that keeps climbing, flooring that cups or lifts, and a musty smell near baseboards. You can also check the meter: if it moves with every fixture off, water is going somewhere it should not.

Who finds and repairs the leak under the slab?

A licensed plumber with leak detection equipment, such as acoustic listening devices and line pressure testing, locates the leak. They may repair it through the slab, reroute the line through walls or the attic, or repipe. The restoration company handles drying the flooring, walls and slab surface once the leak is stopped.

Does homeowners insurance cover slab leaks?

Policies vary. Many Georgia policies cover the water damage to flooring and walls and sometimes the cost of breaking into the slab to reach the pipe, but not the pipe repair itself. Damage from a leak that went on for a long time can be limited. Ask your agent and report it promptly.

Slab Leak Water Damage Lawrenceville GA

Slab leak water damage in Lawrenceville, GA is common because so many Gwinnett homes are built slab-on-grade, with water lines running in or under the concrete. When one of those lines fails, water rises through the slab and spreads under the flooring, soaking pad, laminate, engineered wood and the bottoms of walls before anyone sees a puddle. Through our referral line (opening soon), you can be connected with an independent restoration company that works alongside your plumber to dry the house once the leak is found.

Signs to look for

A warm patch on tile or vinyl, which points to a hot water line.
Laminate or engineered wood that cups, gaps or feels spongy.
Damp carpet with no obvious source, often near a wall or doorway.
Hissing or running water sounds with every fixture off.
A water bill that keeps rising, or a meter dial that moves when the house is quiet.
Musty odor, baseboards swelling or paint bubbling low on the wall.

Meter test: turn off every faucet, appliance and the irrigation system, then watch the meter at the street for 15 to 30 minutes. If the low-flow indicator moves, water is leaking somewhere on your side of the meter.

Why slab lines fail

Copper lines laid under slabs can wear through where they rub against concrete or gravel as they expand and contract with hot water, and some soils are corrosive to copper over time. Settling of the slab or soil movement can stress joints. Gwinnett's clay soils swell when wet and shrink in dry spells, which adds to that movement. Hot water lines tend to fail more often than cold because they cycle temperature every day.

Leak first, then drying

A restoration crew cannot dry a floor that is still being fed from below. The usual order is:

A licensed plumber locates the leak and either repairs it through the slab or reroutes the line.
The restoration technician maps moisture across the flooring, walls and cabinets around the leak.
Flooring that trapped water, such as glued-down planks, laminate and carpet pad, is lifted where needed.
Air movers, dehumidifiers and sometimes floor drying mats pull moisture from the slab surface and lower walls.
Readings are logged until materials reach dry standard, then rebuild can start.

Phone Line Launching Soon

Mold risk under floors

Water trapped between a slab and flooring sits in the dark with little air movement, which is ideal for mold. If the leak ran for weeks, the provider may find growth on the underside of flooring or on the bottom of drywall. That changes the job from drying to remediation. Our mold after water damage page covers what that involves.

Insurance and slab leaks

Georgia homeowners policies differ a lot on slab leaks. Some cover the cost to break and patch the slab to reach the pipe, called tear-out and access; most exclude the cost of the pipe repair; many cover the resulting water damage to flooring and walls. Long-term leaks can be treated as wear and tear. Photos, the plumber's leak detection report and moisture logs all help. Read more in our Georgia claims guide.

On the water bill side, Gwinnett County DWR may grant a one-time leak adjustment on eligible accounts if you repair the leak and apply within the county's time limits.

Questions to ask the restoration company

Which flooring can be dried in place, and which has to be lifted?
Will you check the cabinets and the wall cavities next to the leak?
How will you dry the slab surface before new flooring goes down?
Will you share moisture readings with my plumber and adjuster?

When you are ready, email info@lawrencevillewaterdamagega.com while our phone line is being set up. Back to water damage restoration in Lawrenceville.

Common questions

What are the signs of a slab leak?
Common signs include a warm or damp spot on the floor, the sound of running water when everything is off, a water bill that keeps climbing, flooring that cups or lifts, and a musty smell near baseboards. You can also check the meter: if it moves with every fixture off, water is going somewhere it should not.
Who finds and repairs the leak under the slab?
A licensed plumber with leak detection equipment, such as acoustic listening devices and line pressure testing, locates the leak. They may repair it through the slab, reroute the line through walls or the attic, or repipe. The restoration company handles drying the flooring, walls and slab surface once the leak is stopped.
Does homeowners insurance cover slab leaks?
Policies vary. Many Georgia policies cover the water damage to flooring and walls and sometimes the cost of breaking into the slab to reach the pipe, but not the pipe repair itself. Damage from a leak that went on for a long time can be limited. Ask your agent and report it promptly.

Ready for someone to look at it?