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By John Padilla Plumbing, Heating & Air
A slab water leak is one of the most serious plumbing problems a homeowner can face—and one of the easiest to miss. Because the pipes run beneath your home’s concrete foundation, a leak in a concrete slab can go unnoticed for weeks or even months, quietly causing damage and driving up water bills.
At John Padilla Plumbing, Heating & Air, we are San Diego–based drain and plumbing professionals with extensive experience in slab leak detection and slab leak repair. Knowing the warning signs can help you act fast and protect your home.
What Is a Slab Leak?
If you’ve ever wondered what is a slab leak, what does a slab leak look like, or even the slab leak meaning, here’s the simple answer:
A slab leak occurs when a water line breaks or leaks under the concrete slab of your home. These are also known as plumbing slab leaks, water leaks under slab, or concrete slab water leaks.
Slab leaks can involve:
- Cold water slab leaks
- Hot water slab leaks
- A leaking pipe under a concrete floor
- A water line slab leak beneath the foundation
Because the leak is hidden, professional foundation water leak detection is often required to find the exact slab leak location.
Why Slab Leaks Are a Big Deal
Ignoring a leaking slab can lead to:
- Foundation damage
- Mold and mildew growth
- Warped flooring and wet carpets
- Higher water bills
- Long-term structural issues
We’ve heard homeowners say it best:
“Why is the carpet wet, Todd?”
If that question crosses your mind and no spills are involved, you may be dealing with a water leak in slab.
5 Warning Signs of a Slab Leak
Here are the most common slab leak symptoms our plumbers see across San Diego and surrounding areas.
1. Unexplained Water Bills
A sudden spike in your water bill is often the first sign. If your usage hasn’t changed, you may have a water slab leak or leak under slab.
2. Warm or Cold Floors
Stepping onto a warm floor tile or feeling an unusual cold patch can signal a hot water leak under concrete slab or cold water slab leak. This is one of the clearest slab leak signs.
3. Wet Carpet or Flooring
Damp carpet, warped hardwood, or moisture coming through tile are strong indicators of a water leak in concrete slab floor. Again why is the carpet all wet, Todd? That’s not normal.
4. Sounds of Running Water
Hearing water when nothing is on or noticing a hot water heater running sound constantly can point to a plumbing leak under slab.
5. Water in the Garage or Outside
A slab leak garage issue may show up as water on the garage floor, or even water pooling on a concrete patio. These are classic signs of water leaking under slab.
How Do I Know If I Have a Slab Leak?
Homeowners often ask:
- How do you know if you have a slab leak?
- How to tell if you have a slab leak?
- How to know if you have a slab leak?
The most reliable way is professional slab leak detection. At John Padilla Plumbing, Heating & Air, we use non-invasive tools to:
- Find water leaks under concrete slabs
- Detect hot and cold water leaks
- Identify plumbing leaks under slab without unnecessary digging
This includes acoustic equipment, pressure testing, and electronic detection—far more accurate than guesswork.
Fixing a Slab Leak: What Are Your Options?
Slab leaks repair depends on the pipe condition and leak location. Solutions may include:
- Spot repair
- Pipe rerouting
- Epoxy pipe lining
The cost to fix a slab leak varies, but early detection almost always reduces repair costs and damage.
Many homeowners also ask about slab leak insurance. Coverage depends on your policy—some cover access and damage, others only the pipe itself. We’re happy to help explain repair documentation for insurance claims.
Schedule Slab Leak Detection Today
Slab leaks don’t fix themselves and waiting only makes the damage worse. If you’re noticing warning signs of a slab leak, or simply want peace of mind, call the experts.
John Padilla Plumbing, Heating & Air
San Diego’s trusted drain and slab leak specialists
📞 Contact us today to schedule professional slab leak detection and repair.
