Slab Leak Detection and Repair
Slab Leak Detection and Repair in Long Beach, Rossmoor and Los Alamitos
Many homes in Rossmoor, Los Alamitos, Lakewood and Long Beach were built on concrete slabs in the 1950s and 1960s, with copper water lines running under the foundation. After decades of hard water, soil movement and small earthquakes, those pipes wear thin and start to leak. Because the leak is under concrete, it can go on for months before anyone sees water.
Worthey Plumbing locates slab leaks without tearing up your floors to look for them. Once we know exactly where the leak is, we recommend the repair that makes the most sense for your home and your budget.
Signs You May Have a Slab Leak
The most common clue is a water bill that jumps for no reason. Others include a warm spot on the floor (a hot water line leaking under the slab), the sound of running water when every fixture is off, damp carpet or warped wood flooring, cracks in tile, and a water meter that keeps moving when nothing in the house is running. Some homeowners also notice the water heater running constantly, which happens when hot water is escaping under the house.
A quick test you can do yourself is to shut off every fixture and appliance and watch the leak indicator on your water meter. If it’s spinning, water is going somewhere.
How We Find Slab Leaks
We isolate the hot and cold sides of the system and pressure test each one to confirm which line is leaking. Then we use acoustic listening equipment and thermal imaging to narrow down the location, often to within a foot or two. That precision matters. It means a small, targeted opening instead of jackhammering through half the kitchen.
Slab Leak Repair Options
There are three main ways to fix a slab leak, and the right choice depends on the pipe’s condition.
A spot repair means opening the slab at the leak, replacing the damaged section of pipe and patching the concrete. It works well when the rest of the line is in good shape.
A reroute abandons the leaking line under the slab and runs a new line through the walls or attic instead. This is often the best long-term fix for older homes, because if one section under the slab has failed, others are usually close behind. Reroutes also avoid breaking concrete inside the house.
When a home has had several slab leaks, a whole-house repipe with PEX or copper is usually the most cost-effective answer over the long run.
We’ll walk you through the pros and cons of each option and give you a written quote before any work starts.
Insurance and Slab Leaks
Many homeowner policies cover the cost of accessing the leak and repairing water damage, even when they don’t cover the pipe itself. Coverage varies, so check your policy. We can provide photos, leak location reports and itemized invoices to help with your claim.
Slab Leak FAQs
It can be. A hot water slab leak wastes water and energy every minute, and any slab leak can damage flooring and weaken soil under the foundation. Shut off the water and call us.
Not always. Rerouting the line avoids breaking the slab in most cases. If a spot repair is the better option, our detection keeps the opening small.
Older copper lines under slabs tend to wear out at the same rate. Repeat leaks are usually a sign it's time to reroute or repipe.
Related services from Worthey Plumbing include Leak Detection, Re-Piping Services, Water Line and Underground Pipe Repair, Water Heater Repair and Emergency Plumbing.
Hours
24/7
License #1027856
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