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Concrete Slab Leak Detection Services
APT Plumbing

What To Do About Leaking Concrete Slab Drain Pipe

By APT Plumbing Admin on 26 Dec 2022

Plumbing in our homes is something we can very easily forget that we use every single day. However, if you start noticing a leaky pipeline, it is recommended you get it checked before too much damage is done. Water damage can cause extreme damage if not taken care of with a water leak inspection from APT Plumbing. Their plumbers are experienced in water leak inspection services and will perform this at a time that works with you to get down to identify the issue and make the relevant repairs immediately. It is best to get these kinds of leaks seen to asap. 

What kind of signs should you look for under a concrete slab to indicate you have a broken pipe?

Outdoor signs of a broken pipe

Concrete can be very good at hiding water leaks, but there are some signs you can look out for:

• Unusual humidity inside, even with a window open
• Wet spots or traces of water
• Mould, moss or mildew
• Damp, potent smell. Worse if you can smell sewerage
• Cracks in the concrete

An increase in your water bill (especially if you have noticed any of the other signs mentioned above)

Indoor signs of a broken pipe

You may find various signs inside to indicate evidence of broken pipes:

• Damage to wooden flooring or smelly damp carpet
• Cracks in the plaster
• Odd noises or smells from your pipes
• Toilets or sinks not draining correctly
• Overflowing drains

What should you do if you notice issues with your underground pipes?

You may notice leaking from the concrete or around the structure of your home/building. This is a sign that there is an issue with your underground piping. Water leaking, if ignored can cause major structural damage to your property and as a result, can be rather costly to repair.

Option A:  You can repair concrete pipes underground with pipe relining.

Pipe relining is a way to repair pipes that have been damaged or cracked underground. APT Plumbing is a Sydney based firm that specialises in finding water leaks. They can evaluate your house and, using specialised equipment, pinpoint any problems with your underground pipe. Once this has been established, they may move on and use keyhole technology to repair the broken pipes. They walk the customer through the steps necessary to finish the service and carry out the required repairs.

What can you expect when getting your repairs sorted

Pipe inspection

Finding out the real problem with your pipes is the first step. this is determined using a camera, your plumber will inspect the pipes and confirm if pipe relining is the best outcome for you.

Pipe cleaning and preparation

Before a textile liner can be inserted, the pipes must be thoroughly cleaned of debris and rubbish. A high pressure jet blaster will have the pipes clear and clean in no time.

The glossy sheen on the surface of PVC piping is removed using a high-speed sanding panel. This offered the liner a good texture for permanently sealing the pipe.

Insertion of a textile liner

The next step in this process is to insert the environmentally friendly textile liner into the broken pipe using air or water pressure. The liner is covered in a thick resin that is pressed against the pipe wall.

Final inspection

Being a concrete slab, APT Plumbing, your leak detection specialist, will be happy to show you footage of the repaired pipes. You will have peace of mind that once the repairs have been made you can use your pipes normally again straight away.

What happens now your pipes are relined

People often think that pipe relining is just a temporary fix for damaged piping. By applying pipe relining procedures, we can replace or repair cracked, leaky or even damaged pipes in a dependable and long lasting manner.

Option B:   Repairing underground pipes with pipe replacement

When homes are built on a concrete slab the outer edges are approximately up to 600mm thick, whereas the remainder of the slab is 100-150mm thick. This gives the home a strong foundation and keeps it structurally sound in all weather conditions. The only issue is to have a house on a slab where all plumbing is laid before. This makes for hard times when you have issues with your plumbing.

What to expect from this repair solution

Looking at the thickness of the slab you can understand that there is a thick layer of concrete to get through before we can repair any pipework. Unfortunately, this can be a costly and timely procedure. On top of this we need to factor in costs of pouring new concrete again once the pipes have been repaired.

Additionally, this cause further damage and take days or even weeks to complete repairs depending on the complexity of the work. Your water leak detection report will show exactly where the issues are and where possible your plumber will give you a few options for repairing the pipe system.

Times when there is no alternative except for pipe replacement.

When your pipes are severely damaged or collapsed entirely there is no alternative but to replace the pipe Additionally, it would be less likely that you will need to take such dramatic action to repair your pipes if you discovered the problems sooner and corrected them.

A complete pipe replacement could fix your leaking pipes, but this is an extreme, expensive solution for damaged pipes. Along with the evacuation, pipes under the slab create an addition obstacle. The other issue is risking damaging other parts of your home, including tiling and home decor.

There are many benefits when it comes to pipe relining. There is no costly, time consuming digging and it offers a long lifespan. Pipe relining is a great long term solution to fix broken pipes.

If you have any concerns regarding your home and feel you need a water leak inspection or an inspection of your concrete slab. APT Plumbing are a reliable water leak detection company in Sydney, available 24/7. They can provide an estimate and advice on the best way to replace your pipes quickly and with the east disruption to your house.