Slab Leak Detection: When to Call a Professional Plumber

A slab leak can waste over 10,000 gallons of water per month — all while staying wholly hidden beneath your floor.

No burst pipe. No obvious puddle. Just a quiet, consistent leak under the concrete foundation of your home that keeps running until it damages the structure from below.

Slab leaks are among the most expensive plumbing problems to ignore and also among the easiest to miss—unless you know the signs. This article explains how a plumber detects slab leaks, when to act, and why fast water leak repair is your best defense against long-term damage.

The Signs Don’t Always Look Like a Leak

How do you know there’s water leaking under your foundation if you can’t see it?

Slab leaks don’t show up like a dripping pipe. The symptoms are subtle and easy to miss if you don’t know what to look for. Common early signs include:

• A sudden spike in your water bill
  
• Warm or damp spots on the floor
  
• Cracks forming in the tile or foundation
  
• Moldy odors with no visible source
  
• Running water sounds when everything is off
  

These are not normal wear-and-tear issues. They are red flags. If two or more are happening in your home, it’s time to speak with a professional plumber.

What Causes a Slab Leak in the First Place?

Concrete doesn’t leak, but the pipes running through it can.

Slab leaks typically occur in the copper or plastic water lines that run underneath your foundation. Over time, several factors can weaken those lines:

• Shifting soil puts stress on the pipe
  
• Corrosion eats through aging copper
  
• Improper installation causes wear at contact points
  
• High water pressure damages joints over time
  

This is why slab leaks are especially common in older homes or homes built on expansive clay soil, such as that found in much of Texas and the Southwest.

Why You Shouldn’t Try to “Watch It” for a Few More Days

Every day a slab leak goes undiagnosed is another day water is undermining your foundation.

Homeowners often delay calling because there’s no visual proof. But slab leaks happen underneath concrete, and concrete hides damage well. While you’re “watching it,” water is eroding soil, inviting mold, and straining nearby pipes.

If you’re seeing warning signs or even suspect a hidden leak, fast plumbing repair isn’t just smart — it’s necessary. And the sooner you call, the less cutting, cost, and damage you’re likely to face.

When Is It Time to Call a Plumber?

If you’re asking the question, the answer is probably now.

Slab leak detection is not something most homeowners are equipped to handle alone. If you’re seeing warning signs, even just one or two, and you’re unsure — that’s enough to warrant a call. A quick test can bring certainty. Waiting only brings more risk.

Call a reliable plumber when:

• You’ve noticed any combination of warm floors, rising water bills, or unexplained sounds
  
• Cracks are forming in your flooring or foundation
  
• You’ve ruled out visible leaks and the water meter still shows flow
  
• You want answers before damage gets worse
  

The cost of finding out early is always less than the cost of fixing it late.

Slab Leak Detection Is About Timing — Not Just Tools

The earlier you bring in a professional, the easier and cheaper the fix usually is. At Acacias Plumbing, we specialize in slab leak detection using tested, non-invasive methods. We don’t break concrete unless we’re certain. We find the leak, explain your options, and handle the repair with as little disruption as possible.

If your instincts say something’s off, trust them. Call Acacias Plumbing. We’ll give you a clear answer, fast.