Slab-Leak Warning Signs
Hot Spot on the Floor
A warm patch of tile, laminate or carpet can mean a hot water line is leaking under the slab.
Warning signs guide →Sound of Running Water
Hearing water move through walls or floor with every fixture off often means a pressurized line is leaking below the slab.
Unexplained High Water Bill
A sudden jump in your water bill with no change in use is one of the most common reasons homeowners call.
See leak detection →Damp Carpet or Warped Flooring
Moisture pushing up through a slab can loosen tile, buckle laminate or leave carpet damp for no obvious reason.
How We Confirm an Under-Slab Leak
Before any concrete is touched, we confirm there’s an active leak and narrow down its location: a pressure test to confirm and estimate location, listening equipment for the sound of escaping water, thermal imaging on hot-water line leaks, and visual and moisture checks of flooring and walls. We explain what we find before any access work begins.
Spot Repair, Rerouting and Repiping Options
Spot Repair
Access the pipe through the slab or floor and repair just that section — often the most direct option for an isolated leak.
Pipe Reroute
Reroute the affected line through the attic, walls or another accessible path, bypassing the damaged section entirely.
Repiping
If a line has failed more than once, a full or partial repipe replaces vulnerable piping rather than treating each leak as it appears.
See repiping →Protecting Floors, Walls and the Property
Accessing a leak under a slab means opening a controlled section of flooring — not tearing up an entire room. We section off the work area, use drop cloths and containment, and keep the opening as small as the repair allows. Once repaired and tested, the access point is patched.
Our Slab-Leak Repair Process
Confirm the leak with pressure testing, listening equipment and thermal imaging.
Locate the access point that reaches the damaged section with the least disruption.
Present your options — spot repair, reroute or repipe — with our reasoning.
Complete the repair using the approach you approve.
Pressure test again to confirm the repair holds before closing the access point.
Cost Factors
Access difficulty, whether it’s a spot repair, reroute or repipe, flooring type, and permit requirements all affect cost.
Permits & When to Consider a Repipe
Permit requirements vary by scope and address through the City’s SimpliCITY portal. A whole-house repipe becomes worth discussing after more than one slab leak or corrosion showing in multiple spots.
Slab-Leak FAQs
How do I know if I have a slab leak or just a normal plumbing issue?
The clearest signs are a warm spot on the floor, the sound of running water when everything is off, or a water bill that jumps with no change in use.
Will you have to break my whole floor to fix it?
Usually not. We work to identify the leak’s location as precisely as possible first, so the access opening is limited to the section that needs repair.
Is a slab leak an emergency?
It depends. Uncontrolled water or a sudden pressure drop should be treated urgently. A slow, isolated leak still needs attention but may not require after-hours service.
What’s the difference between spot repair, reroute and repiping?
Spot repair fixes the specific damaged section. A reroute bypasses it through an accessible path. A repipe replaces broader sections, usually after repeated leaks.
Do I need a permit for slab leak repair?
Permit requirements vary by scope and address through the City’s Building & Safety Division’s SimpliCITY portal.
Does homeowners insurance cover slab leak repair?
Coverage varies by policy and cause of the leak. Check your specific policy or ask your insurance provider.
Noticed a Hot Spot or Rising Water Bill?
Worth checking out sooner rather than later.
Request Slab Leak Repair