How A Plumber Can Repair A Slab Leak Without Breaking Through The Foundation
If you haven't ever had a slab leak, the first time will likely be a real eye opener. One of the most important things you should know about a slab leak is that it needs to be repaired as soon as possible. If given enough time, the soil under the foundation of your home could erode away and cause concrete cracks or the concrete can separate between the layers -all very expensive problems to fix.
In the past, a plumber would have to jackhammer the area to get to the plumbing pipes for repair. This is an extensive, expensive process that is labor-heavy. In some cases, the plumber would be able to dig under the slab from the outside of the home. But most often the foundation had to be broken up, hauled off, and repaired.
The good news is that there have been advancements made in the plumbing repair field and now all that additional labor expense is a thing of the past. Well, that depends on what plumber you call because not all have invested in the equipment and training involved to do it the new way.
We at Epoxy Pipe Restorations of the Southeast specialize in trenchless slab leak repairs and other pipe repairs. We can tell you that slab leaks don't have to involve ruining your foundation or the landscaping, patio, and other hardscape areas where the sewer and fresh water lines are located.
Here are a few of the methods that we offer to our customers, all of which involve a relatively quick and effective process of pipe repair and replacement.
Pipe Lining
Pipe lining is a better solution to repairing and fixing slab leaks than traditional dig and replace methods. No matter the method used to repair slab leaks, pipe lining is an economical solution that is homeowner friendly and safe for the environment.
This is a cured in place method that only requires two access holes rather than digging up the entire line and replacing it. This process is much less invasive to the landscape and foundation of the home. There are several different names for pipe lining:
- Cured in Place Pipe
- Epoxy Pipe Lining
- Trenchless Pipe Repair & Replacement
- Trenchless Pipe Lining
- In-Line Pipe Repair
- Sewer Pipe Lining
- Trenchless Pipe Rehabilitation
Even within the pipe lining service, there are different techniques and products used depending on what type of repair needs to be done. For instance, we often use the ACE DuraFlo cured-in-place pipe treatment which forces a coating down inside the existing pipe to line it. But there are times where it's better to pull a new lining through the existing pipe, inflate it, and let it cure in place.
The plumber will know which method is best depending on the dynamics of the situation. Potable water pipes, or fresh water pipes, are smaller in diameter than sewer lines. Or there may be only a small section which needs to be patched rather than the entire pipe.
A local plumber who offers trenchless pipe repair will send a specialized camera down the line to inspect the problem. This is a video pipe inspection. The plumber will know exactly what needs to be done and which method is best to repair the leak. Sometimes the entire sewer line will need to be repaired but this won't always be the case.
With pipe lining, the pipe will need to be cleaned out to remove debris, the hard sediment buildup that narrows and corrodes the pipes, and any tree roots that have infiltrated the system. Once this is done, the existing pipe will be re-lined.
Pipe Bursting
Pipe bursting is a process where the existing pipe is burst open by a tool that is connected to the new pipe. The tool fits inside the existing pipe and is forced down the line, breaking open the old pipe and dragging the new pipe behind it as it goes. This is a good method when the existing sewer line can't be rehabilitated.