Copper water lines that run under a slab normally wear out and start leaking. You may have a sewer or water line leaking under concrete slab underneath your house and not even know it. While repairing a damaged line can be a big challenge, first locating and accessing it can be an even bigger challenge. If you manage to locate the area where the leak is coming from, you may have to cut or chisel your way through the concrete slab to make the necessary repairs.

Whether you want to tackle it yourself or hire a professional, here is a step-by-step guide on how to fix pin-hole leaks under your concrete slab.

1. Establish the location of the leak. One trick that may work (if it is a hot water leak) is to walk around with bare feet. You are likely to feel the warmth. Once you find it, use masking tape to mark the area.

2. Now that you know the general area of the leak, remove as little flooring as possible to access it. A square-foot should get you in the ballpark and be large enough to prevent too much damage and costly replacement.

3. Using a concrete drill bit, drill through the concrete – this may take some time, as the slab is roughly 4 inches thick. The opening should be big enough to allow your hand to reach down and feel the leak.

4. Once the leak is located, make the hole big enough before you begin repairing the pipe.

5. Shut off the water at the main. Using a pipe cutter, cut off the leaking piece of the pipe and replace it with an identical one (copper or PVC). Copper may require soldering the piece into place while PVC is easier to replace.

6. Leave the hole open for a few days just to make sure the leak is properly sealed.

7. If all is well after a day or two, mix a bag of concrete, fill the hole completely to the top and seal it to the surrounding slab. Then leave it for several days to dry and cure.

8. After the concrete is cured, secure a new piece of flooring using construction adhesives.

While you may do all this by yourself once the leak is located, using a leak detection service makes it much easier. This is because a plumbing leak repair service uses state-of-the-art equipment to easily locate underground leaks to avoid causing too much structural damage to your home. Using a pressure test or other non-invasive techniques and electronic leak location, a professional, licensed plumber can do the job effectively and quickly without making unnecessary holes. Moreover, with all the necessary equipment, expertise, training, and experience, you can be rest assured that the job will be done professionally.

Bill The Plumber has the decades of experience and the team of technicians to handle concrete pin hole leaks. By working with our professional repair experts, there is no need to worry and be stressed out. You can relax knowing the service given to your home will be top-notch.

Contact Bill The Plumber with his reliable and experienced team today at (941) 845-6711.