RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL RE-PIPING SERVICE IN PINELLAS COUNTY, FLORIDA
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RE-PIPING WATER LINES

Most homes in Florida are built on concrete foundations. It is common practice to run the water lines under the concrete slab. The home’s water piping is run underground to each location with a stub up through the concrete slab to feed into the plumbing fixtures i.e. the toilet, sinks, etc. Copper piping is the most common type of pipe used for water lines.

WHY IS THIS A PROBLEM?

Although copper piping is corrosion resistant the piping is in constant contact with soil and concrete. Over time the chemical reaction to the concrete and soil will eventually eat through the copper piping causing the pipe to thin and small leaks to occur. This is called a “slab leak”.

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF A SLAB LEAK?

There are several signs that may indicate a slab leak. The easiest symptom to spot is water or damp spots on your floor. Water will seep up through the floor causing puddles or damp spots. If it is a hot water slab leak you may be able to feel warm spots on the floor. You may also hear the sound of rushing water under the floor. Sometimes there may be no other symptoms other than a significant increase in your water bill.

I THINK I HAVE A SLAB LEAK, NOW WHAT?

If you suspect you have a slab leak it is recommended that you hire a company who has the ability to do electronic leak detection. Here’s why; just because water is pooling in one location does not necessary mean that is the exact spot where the leak is, because water travels. Even the smallest slope, can allow the leaking water to travel and surface in another area. In order to repair a slab-leak the floor has to be opened. If you guess the wrong location you may end up with several holes in your floor.

HOW ARE SLAB LEAKS REPAIRED?

Once the slab leak is located the flooring will need to be removed, then the concrete slab will have to be jackhammered up to expose the leak. Once exposed the damaged section of pipe can be cut out and replaced. This kind of repair can be very messy, breaking open the floor and using a jackhammer causes a lot of dust and debris. Not to mention what happens to your flooring. What if you have wood or tile flooring that can’t be matched or replaced?

IT GETS WORSE!

Once the copper piping under the slab begins the thin you can bet that more leaks are going to start popping up. And since water lines are run throughout your entire home there is no way to predict where the next leak will surface.

OTHER OPTIONS

Another option is a “whole house repipe”. This is essentially giving your home a brand-new plumbing system. The copper water lines running under the house will be cut and capped off to prevent additional leaks. Then new PEX water lines are run through the attic and walls and tied back into the plumbing fixtures. Although a whole house repipe may be a bigger one-time expense, in the long run it could save you thousands in repeat slab leak repairs and cause a lot less damage to your home.