WDBG

Water Leak Detection Fort Lauderdale, Florida

954.419.4783 | OC Leak Detection & Water Damage Remediation is a Fort Lauderdale, Florida based leak detection and water damage remediation service that is locally owned. Due to the constant threat of storm damage and plumbing leaks causing water intrusion leaks almost year round, we employ Thermal Imaging Technology with FLIR to quickly detect and locate leaks as well as identify water damage so that we can swiftly work towards remedying the situation before mold sets in. Our team has the expertise to make the emergency water leak locating and repair process relatively quick and painless for homeowners. At our company, we have a thorough and effective system in place for detecting and fixing leaks. This system has been proven successful and has resulted in our clients consistently achieving full satisfaction with our services. We offer solutions for a variety of leaks, from water intrusion due to natural disasters to leaks in plumbing systems, foundations, roofs, windows and doors.

OC Leak Detection & Water Damage Remediation was established in Southwest Florida, serving Fort Lauderdale and the surrounding cities, and has been a leader in the leak detection field. Having more than 25 years of expertise in providing emergency leak detection services for homes, the team at OC Leak Detection provides professional assistance throughout every phase of your emergency, starting from detecting the leak to fixing the water and mold damage.

At OC Leak Detection & Water Damage Remediation, our experts specialize in a range of services, including leak detection and water damage remediation for severe weather damage such as hurricanes and thunder storms. In addition, we also have expertise in detecting and repairing slab leaks, as well as fixing all types of leaky pipes. Our skilled and experienced team of leak locating specialists are readily available to assist you with any plumbing leak or other leak-related concerns that you may have in the Fort Lauderdale area.

Fort Lauderdale Slab Leak Detection

What is a Slab Leak?
In order to have a complete understanding about slab leaks, it's essential to undersdtand how the system runs under your concrete flooring in your home located in Fort Lauderdale.

Houses with copper plumbing under the foundation have pipes running from one point to another. The water flows in from the main valve and goes underground to supply a plumbing fixture. The pipes are joined together at areas known as manifolds. One pipe connects to the fixture while others connect to other fixtures to provide water until every fixture has sufficient water. It's like hoses running between fixtures and then branching out to supply other fixtures, similar to a spiderweb of copper lines that meet at the manifolds. This applies to both hot and cold water systems.

When plumbers talk about a "slab leak," they are not using the correct terminology. In reality, copper lines don't actually run through the concrete slab, but instead are buried under the dirt about 12-18 inches deep. A "slab leak" refers to a small hole that has developed in one of the many copper lines running underground and supplying fixtures in a house. This is similar to a small hole that might occur in a wall or ceiling, but in this case, it's under the slab. It's worth noting that a typical 3-bathroom home has around 20-30 individual copper lines running underground to the manifold points.

So what can you do to prevent slab leaks from happening?
If you suspect a slab leak at your home in Fort Lauderdale, there are several indicators to watch out for, as mentioned earlier. While there's no guaranteed way to avoid a slab leak, you can limit water damage by acting early. To eliminate slab leaks altogether, you'll need to repipe, which we'll cover below.

In order to fix a slab leak, you have three options:

  • #1 The direct access repair is the first option, which consists of identifying the leak on the leaking copper line, digging up the ground and placing a spot fix on the leak. According to our opinion, this is not the most reliable repair and can be considered a temporary solution at best. When a copper line has a pinhole, it is likely that it needs to be fully replaced. Typically, most insurance companies prefer the direct access repair because it saves them money. However, don't be deceived, as repairing a line this way will most likely require another repair on the same line in the near future.
  • #2 The most common way to fix a leaking line is to do a single line reroute. This involves identifying the line that is leaking, abandoning it at the two points where it comes out of the ground, and then running a new line overhead or through the walls to connect the original points that were being supplied. We recommend using Pex, specifically Uponor Brand Pex, because it comes with a 25 Year Manufacturer Warranty. However, it's important to note that this only replaces one line out of potentially 20-30 individual lines running underground in the average 3 bath home.
  • #3 If you want to permanently get rid of slab leaks, the whole house repipe option would be the best choice, although it is the most expensive and most invasive option. This option involves opening walls and ceilings to install a new water system using Uponor Brand Pex for both hot and cold piping. It usually takes less than a week to complete while you live in your house and use water as usual. More and more homeowners are choosing this option either because they don't have any other choice or because they want to eliminate the stress of dealing with potential leaks.

At OC Leak Detection & Water Damage Remediation, no matter which option you select, we can provide assistance. We can locate the source of the leak and stop it quickly, and help you determine the best course of action for the repairs. In addition, we can handle all of the water damage remediation that has occurred as a result of the leak, and we can guide you through the process of making an insurance claim in Fort Lauderdale.

Here are the most common signs of a slab leak:

  • Did you notice an unexpected increase in your gas or water bill lately?
  • If you hear a hissing or gurgling sound coming from your pipes and you aren't actively using any water, this is likely the sound of water flowing through them.
  • The hot water heater is continuously running.
  • Warm or hot spots on the floor.
  • The area outside or near the stucco of the house is always damp.