Experience with a foundation/slab water leak?

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OffRoad Rage

OffRoad Rage

Dry Roasted in the Desert
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This is a new one for me. I'm just looking for some guidance from someone that may have been through this already. Is this a situation where I should start hiring people myself or should I involve home owners insurance? I have a home warranty but they'll only cover a $1000 and this feels like something that could be much more expensive than that.

Currently there is no interior damage or water coming up into the house, just an audible hiss, the bathroom floor has a hot spot under it, and slight usage detectable at the main meter. I had a plumber out for another issue and he validated my concern and said a re-route might be the best option. He also said a good detection service is the key to keeping the repairs to a minimum. Anyone?

Thanks,
Norm
 
The house is about 17 years old and I don't know what type the pipes are. Construction isn't an area of expertise for me. I defer to the experienced.
 
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My home is eighteen years old and the pipes are copper. Not sure they run any of the plastic products under ground? Had a under ground leak a little over a year ago. Couldn't hear just a warm spot in the kitchen floor. I was able to support the counter top and pull the cabinet out from under it. Found the warmest spot and broke up the concrete floor. It was a hole created by the ABS that is just under the concrete. The pipe was not as deep as it was suppose to be. Made up a fitting to used compressed air to fit the water heater out and blew the line out to remove as much water as possible. Ever hard to solder anything with water in it. Then silver soldered the hole, wrapped with heavy mil tape. Dug it out a best as I could get pipe below the ABS. Back filled with sand then patched the concrete. Installed the cabinet and done. I got lucky I didn't need to tear up the tile floor. Because you can hear a hiss you pipe it probably just under the concrete. Possible the same thing. My bother in-law who lives in NV told when he comes across he recommends running all new pipes over head. I sure that runs into the thousands and then dealing patching walls, texturing and painting. Not a fan of any of the plastic or what every they are made of product which is what I guessing a over head run would be. Thank the latest product is called Pecs or Peks or something like that. Our cabin is on a foundation with a crawl space making it easier to find and repair any leaks. Only thing I had to do is use a heat gun for a frozen pipe. Water heater is in a closet and instead of running the pipes up a side side wall they ran them up the back exterior wall.:bang:
 
I would be worried about voids/ sink holes under the foundation. If it is not a post tensioned slab foundation I would have the floor cut out and the repair done directly.
 
Dimples said:
I would be worried about voids/ sink holes under the foundation. If it is not a post tensioned slab foundation I would have the floor cut out and the repair done directly.
Click to expand...


Good point on the post tensioned slab. Not sure they were doing that back in the eighties when my was poured. I know I didn't run into any cable. I was worries about the void and sink hole but found no sign of a void. This was going to the kitchen sink which is on a exterior wall. Hole was just over a foot away from the outside wall. Watched to see of any sign of sinking but haven seen a thing.
 
Start by calling a leak detection company. A reroute is the easier way to handle it, but sometimes looks bad. My mother in law had a rerouted done and now has some jerry rigged looking plumbing on he outside of her home. Damage under tile may mean you'll need to retile at least that entire room, but I would cut foundation and repair if possible. Question, do you have a water softener?
 
Pretty much depends on you budget, mine would require being parked on a jackhammer just to see what is under there, and hope it is wrapped copper.
 
If it's close to the surface may be pretty easy to find on a hot water line. With my heat gun I was able to pin point without any trouble. It's when you know you have a line somewhere and not a clue where it is that's a problem. Me my wife said you know the warm spot in the floor I think it's getting warmer. My response was what warm spot. With my gun I found a spot in the high nineties and went from there.
 
Been there done this. Builder with 20+ years under my belt. Here's my advice after going through this on a 1987 built home I lived in.
- hire a leak detection company. They will pinpoint the leak. About $250
- surgical demo. On my house I was able to remove a single tile, cut concrete, dig down, fix the copper, fill and patch. If the leak is pinpointed this can be done.
-your underground will be copper. I wouldn't re-route. My fix has lasted 10+ years and going strong.
-REALLY IMPORTANT- the plumber must use silver solder for underground joints.
-sinkhole risk is very low but will depend on your specific soil conditions. You'd be amazed at how much water will seep into the ground and not disturb the soil. No worries on post tension either. Just make sure you pack the soil in as you back fill.

You need a leak detector, plumber, tile setter, and a laborer for tear out and concrete. If you are handy at all you can do most or all of this yourself. I think with a little luck you can get by under your $1000 home warranty. Call me if needed. I don't do service work but will always help a cruiser nut. 480.205.1150 cell
 
First I'd just like to say, I love this forum! A great bunch people that are willing to help others and that have a wide array of expertise.

Thank you to all that replied. Huge thanks to Arizona jeff for the detailed breakdown. This will be a huge help to get this situation resolved for us. I have a good plumber and he recommended a good leak detection service. Now just to get lucky with the location of the leak so I don't have to take out too many tiles and/or the kitchen counter.

Not the type of repair thread I was hoping to start this year but oh well. More to come.

Thanks,
Norm
 
Good luck Norm, please follow up with the final results so we can all learn from your experience in case this happens to us (hopefully not!)


*Go Cards!
 
good luck :cheers:

for me, 2016 indeed is shaping up to be the "year of the contractor" :bang: :rolleyes:
 
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