In most cases the pipes are under the slab.
Water leak under foundation slab.
Damage to the foundation can occur due to slab leaks.
One example includes tree root infestation which can cause cracks in the foundation and the plumbing pipes.
So if your water heater is suddenly working non stop there s a very good chance that you have a leak somewhere in your home s plumbing.
Slab leaks happen mostly when a home is built on a concrete slab foundation and leaky water and sewer lines have been installed under it.
Depending on the symptom you could have a sewer leak or leaks or fresh.
Water leaks under slab foundations unfortunately occur.
Slab leaks are simple water leaks below concrete slabs.
Slab leaks create water build ups underneath your concrete foundation.
However other culprits could be worth the blame too.
A slab is another name for the concrete foundation some homes are built upon.
Before beginning the repairs on a section of pipe beneath a concrete slab consideration should be given to re piping rather than using a temporary fix.
A slab leak can result if those lines break or deteriorate and release water under your home s foundation.
Water and sewer lines deteriorate with time and when they do they begin to leak.
If you have a hot water leak underneath the slab foundation of your home it s basically the same as leaving a hot water faucet on 24 7 which also means your hot water heater needs to work 24 7 to keep up.
Unfortunately as copper pipes age they are prone to wearing thin and springing leaks.
The most common type of pipe used for water lines under a slab foundation is copper tubing.
As copper pipes age they are prone to wearing thin and springing a leak.
If you have wood panel floors watch out for spots where the wood starts to warp.
To escape this water may pool on top of your floors yard or the concrete itself.
So you if you do have a leak it is under the foundation.
The most common type of pipe used for water lines under slab foundations is copper.
Repairing a slab leak is not hard.
While there are exception to this a home built with fresh water pipes in the walls it is highly unlikely any pipes fresh water or sewer are in the actual slab.
Water and sewer lines often run below the slab.
If your home has hard water over time the mineral buildup from the water traveling through the pipes can cause small cracks and leakage.