Slab leaks always start small – so small that a lot of the time, you don’t even realise it’s happening.
A little leak here, a little leak there… a couple months later, and you’re in for a serious (and expensive) surprise.
Leaks found in building slabs always come as a surprise – it’s the last place you expect a leak!
Don’t fret however – a commercial plumber in Melbourne can help you deal with all sorts of leaks, including major plumbing problems like slab leaks.
Commercial buildings in particular deal with water leaks under their slab foundation. This can affect business operations as well as the structure of your building.
So make it a point to save the number of a commercial plumber in Melbourne and let them address your concrete slab issues.
Slab leaks often start small.
Signs of slab leaks
It’s not always easy to detect if there’s a water leak in your commercial building. These telltale signs cannot be discarded, and you shouldn’t choose to ignore them at once – instead, it’s best to deal with leaks right away.
If you happen to see some of these in your slab leak, then take these as signs that you need a Melbourne commercial plumber to come in and deal with the problem – a slab leak is no laughing matter!
Sudden increase in water bills
You know how big your water bill is usually – if you’re surprised to see a higher number than usual at the bottom of your water bill that is not related to water usage, then it indicates that it is indeed a commercial plumbing issue.
And if you can’t detect the leak anywhere else, it could mean a slab leak!
You will need the help of a commercial plumber in Melbourne to deal with the problem even if it isn’t an issue related to a slab leak. Any leak is a potential cause for problems that you you can’t afford to overlook.
Wall cracks
Water often causes the soil to expand and shift, causing movements in anything sitting on it. And that includes your walls.
Small cracks left unfixed usually cause other structural problems. A slab leak might not be the first cause that comes to mind, but it’s one that needs immediate attention.
Slab leaks that get into the soil have the potential to cause structural issues in the rest of the property, as well as cracks in the walls of your home.
Musty odour
Water and humidity are two of the most important ingredients to mould growth. If there’s a leak, then you may have mould that comes with a distinctive musty smell.
The thing with slabs is that you don’t really smell them – if it reaches the point where your slab leak is making its way to your nose, then it’s a sign that it’s gotten really bad down there!
Damp and wet floors and carpets
Small and big cracks on floors are a sign that there’s water pooling up underneath – likely the result of a leak.
Sometimes, said leak is because of a pipe under the floor – in others, it’s because of a slab leak.
So if you notice wet carpets and damp flooring popping up out of nowhere, it might be work calling a plumbing professional to take a look at it and determine whether you might be dealing with a slab leakage.
The sound of running water
If there’s no pipe or water fixture near your slab foundation yet you hear the sound of running water, then you’re most likely dealing with a slab leak.
There may be a burst pipe or an old pipe that needs to be replaced immediately to avoid any further leaks.
Foundation movement
Small slab leaks can further escalate into large slab leaks causing cracks in foundations. Water can soak down the soil in your commercial property causing it – and anything on top – to shift.
That’s why you need the help of a commercial plumber in Melbourne to get into the root of the problem right away!
Many building owners might ignore these telltale signs, but doing so will only put the building in danger as well as the health and safety of every tenant, staff member or resident.
Why waste money and time in repairing leaks on your concrete slab when you can let a Melbourne commercial plumber deal with the leak immediately, saving you the headache (and the cost?)
Small cracks can quickly grow, impacting the foundation and flooring of your property.
What should you do if there is a water leak under a slab foundation
Break the slab
In cases of major leaks, breaking the slab is the only way to solve any issues. It’s also a lot of work – you may need to find a temporary place to live while the repair is being made, as it can be disruptive and your water system may need to be completely shut off while work is being done.
Once you put a new concrete slab in, you’ll want to ensure that the soil has been checked and inspected, just in case.
Repiping
New plumbing might need to be installed and tested once the slab is broken, as many cases of slab leaks come from pipes and whatnot installed in and under your slab..
If the issue is burst pipes, old and worn out pipes or even damaged pipes, you’ll need a commercial plumber to deal with it if you want your plumbing to work again.
Create a tunnel beneath the slab
If you’re looking for an inexpensive way to deal with a slab leak, then it would be best to create a tunnel beneath the slab. This way, you can still stay in your house, and there will be no disruptive noise while a repair is going on.
Essentially, this process lets a commercial plumber replace any pipes in and under your slab without having to break it.
Just be warned that it might not be feasible in every case – the only way to be sure is to…
Call a commercial plumber in Melbourne
With major plumbing problems like slab leaks, it’s imperative that you call a professional to get their opinion – these are big jobs, and you can’t afford to get it wrong.
20 years of plumbing experience means that the Watermaster Plumbing team has seen – and fixed – just about every plumbing problem you can think of, including a number of slab leaks.
As a major plumbing repair, this is exactly what you want to hear from your commercial plumber!
Choose a qualified, experienced and licensed team of plumbers in Melbourne who can provide you with exceptional service and solutions for all your business’ plumbing needs.
Slab leak issues? Contact our Melbourne plumbers today!
Your business can’t afford any downtime – that’s why it’s so crucial that plumbing problems get fixed ASAP.
If you’re dealing with slab leak issues, don’t wait – get in touch with a professional as soon as you can!
Our team of commercial plumbers in Melbourne can fix all sorts of leaks for you on-the-spot at your commercial property. We offer a wide range of commercial plumbing services such as:
- Commercial building maintenance
- Construction and renovation
- Dental surgery plumbing
- Real estate strata
- Gas fitting, testing, and replacement
- Backflow prevention
- Drainage systems
- Hydraulic plumbing
How can we help you?
Contact Watermaster Plumbing on 1300 156 650 to find out, or get a quote from one of our experienced plumbers today.
You can also visit us for commercial plumber in Melbourne: pop into our headquarters at 9/22 George St Sandringham, VIC 3191, if you prefer a more hands-on approach.