Homeowners and industry professionals are still debating whether tankless or tank water heaters are superior. Despite serving the same purpose, tankless and tank water heaters work in distinct ways. While tank water heaters store hot water in a tank until it is needed, tankless water heaters deliver hot water instantly.
More than 25 years have passed since Elizabeth Drain Service first opened. In order to assist you in selecting the best option for your home, we provide both tankless and tank water heaters.
To assist you in choosing the best water heater for your house, we’ve developed a list of the main distinctions between these two varieties. We’ll also examine the advantages and disadvantages of each system’s operation.
Slab Leak: What Is It?
Your house is constructed on a concrete slab that acts as the foundation, like the majority of modern structures. This slab’s stability has an impact on your entire house’s stability.
Water lines buried in the concrete foundation of your home can leak and cause a slab leak. Numerous factors, such as corrosion, high pressure, or abrasion, might cause this. Whatever the origin, it’s critical to recognize the symptoms of a slab leak so you can act fast.
- Too much pressure: Due to the intense pressure they are under, underground pipes may shatter. This is particularly true in areas with clay soils since they exert more strain on the slab and pipes when they expand when they are wet and then shrink when they dry out. As a result of an earthquake, this can also happen.
- Corrosion: Your home’s underground pipes come into contact with the metals in the soil. Galvanic corrosion, which happens when two different metals come into touch, could result from this. Pipe bursts and leaks may eventually result from this type of corrosion.
- Abrade: Pipes may vibrate as a result of the passage of water through them. This vibration may induce abrasion at the point of contact if the pipe is close to another pipe, concrete, or solid surface. This abrasion wears away at the pipes and may eventually result in leaks.
Signs That a Slab Leak Is Occurring
Even when present, slab leak symptoms are frequently concealed and may lead to inaccurate diagnosis. Because slab leaks may inflict so much damage in such a short amount of time, it is always advisable to investigate any signs that arise. There are several signs that a slab leak may be present. These consist of:
- The sound of water running. When all of your home’s fixtures are off and you still hear the sound of flowing water under your floor, you probably have a leak someplace. This noise is typically caused by water leaking out of a tiny crack or hole in the pipe.
- A warm floor. A slab leak may be present if you notice a hot patch on your floor that is unrelated to any appliances or other sources of heat. This might occur if one of the hot water lines is dripping water.
- Mudspouts. Puddles of water may be an indication of a leak if you notice them around your house, particularly in the same location. These puddles are typically caused by water that pools on the surface after seeping up through concrete cracks. Puddles can occasionally be found indoors, usually in the kitchen or bathroom.
- Mold. If you find mold or mildew in your house, a slab leak can be to blame. These can result in water seeping up through gaps and creating puddles on the surface, which are ideal environments for mold and mildew to grow.
- Exceptionally Heavy Water Use. Another indication that you might have a slab leak is when your water meter continues to run despite the fact that all of your home’s fixtures are off. Water is leaking from the pipes and passing past the meter, which is why this occurs.
- Your water bill may have suddenly increased for no apparent reason. A single leak can waste hundreds of gallons of water every day, so if you see a spike in your water usage, you should act right once.
- Ripples. You may potentially have a slab leak if you see cracks in your slab foundation, walls, or floors. When water spills from the pipes, the slab’s foundational soil can become weakened.
Slab Leak Detection by an Expert
The best course of action, when you think you have a slab leak, is to call a professional. They will be able to accurately locate the leak using their knowledge and tools. No foundation-breaking is necessary for this.
Most companies, like Elizabeth Drain Service, can identify your leak in a few hours using contemporary non-invasive slab leak-detecting techniques. Long-term, this will save you time, money, and hassle. Acoustic systems and ground mics are two pieces of sonic equipment that can pick up vibrations caused by water seeping quickly. They also offer video pipe inspection technology and acoustic locating devices for finding nonmetal pipelines.
Fixing Options For Slab Leaks
Slab leaks can be fixed in three ways by experts. The location and extent of the leak, the condition of the pipe, and the general health of your plumbing system will all affect which option is ideal for your home.
Restore
The leak should be fixed as a first step. Excavating the area around the leak and repairing or replacing the broken pipe can accomplish this. This is typically just a choice for tiny, simple-to-access leaks. Leaks in pipes can also be fixed with epoxy pipe lining. To stop the leak without exposing the foundation, epoxy is put within the pipe.
Redirect The Pipe
The second choice is to reroute the leaking line. If the leak is in an old or flimsy pipe, this is typically a possibility. As a result, if you repair the pipe, you risk making other parts of the same line leak more. Therefore, you should redirect the pipe and shut it off at the closest manifold. These pipelines are frequently rerouted above ground.
Repipe the House
You might need to repipe your entire house if your plumbing is ancient and in poor condition. Although this is a substantial task, it will guarantee that your home’s pipes are all brand-new and compliant. Future leakage danger will also be eliminated.
Cost Estimation & Payment
The contractor will be able to provide you with a more precise estimate of the cost of repairs once they have discovered the leak. The amount will include the detection fee, which ranges from $125 to $375. The preciseness and sophistication of the company’s estimates vary.
The cost will increase from $500 to $4,000 on average when the contractor must open the foundation. This will depend on the severity of the leak, how easily it can be accessed, and how much plumbing services cost where you live. A sewage drain leak may cost roughly 25% less to repair than a regular pipe leak.
If a pipe is too weak and needs to be rerouted, the cost may range from $200 to $500 depending on how long the pipe is. The complexity of the circumstance will determine this. The cost for a typical pipe is around $1,500.
Residence Insurance
If a slab leak resulted from normal wear and tear, homeowners insurance would typically cover it. This indicates that you were not the cause of the leak. Both the expense of pipe replacement and demolition are frequently covered by your insurance. The labor expenses might not be paid for. If the “tear-out provision” is present in your insurance policy, it signifies that demolition expenses are covered.
Since they are seen as preventative procedures, rerouting and repiping are typically not covered by homeowners’ insurance. If the rerouting was necessary because of a slab leak, certain companies might pay half the cost. You can ask your insurance provider to change the premiums.
To find out what is covered, it is essential to verify with your agent as the policies vary from company to business. Some policies only cover water-related leaks, while others don’t cover any physical harm caused by an unexpected leak. If you notice cracks but your coverage only covers sudden leaks, you most likely won’t be compensated. Before beginning any repairs, you should always confirm your coverage with your insurance provider.
Get in touch with a Slab Leak Detection Contractor Right Away
Finding a contractor with experience in slab leak detection and repair is ideal after you believe that you have a slab leak. This kind of business can advise you on the best course of action for your house. Our specialists at Elizabeth Drain Service have extensive training in all facets of plumbing and have been with the company for nearly 30 years. We identify leaks swiftly and precisely using cutting-edge technology. After that, we will provide you with a free repair estimate. Contact us at (908) 988-0365 right away to make an appointment.
