What a slab leak is
Most Florida homes sit on a concrete slab, and water lines often run through or beneath it. When one of those lines pinholes or splits, water escapes into the soil and concrete. You do not see it, but you can often feel, hear or measure it.
Hot water lines give the clearest signals because they warm the floor above. Cold lines leak quietly, and the first clue may be a bill that climbs for no reason.
Signs of a slab leak
- A warm or hot spot on a tile or wood floor.
- The water meter keeps moving with every fixture off.
- The sound of running water when nothing is on.
- Damp carpet, lifting flooring or cracked grout along a line.
- Low water pressure, or a water bill that rises with no change in use.
- Wet soil or a damp patch along the outside edge of the slab.
What to do the moment you suspect one
- 1Check the meterTurn every fixture off and watch the leak indicator at the meter. If it still moves, water is going somewhere.
- 2Shut the main valveClose the main water valve to the house. If the meter then stops, the leak is on the house side.
- 3Turn off the water heater supplyIf the leak is on a hot line, switch off the heater so it does not run dry.
- 4Look for electrical hazardsIf water is near outlets or a panel, stay clear and call. Do not stand in water around electricity.
- 5Call the 24/7 lineReport what you saw and heard. Dispatch will schedule the right equipment.
A meter spinning with everything off is a leak until proven otherwise. Call now.
Call (239) 522-0887Finding the leak without tearing up the floor
We never start by opening the slab. Electronic listening gear picks up the sound of escaping water, and thermal imaging shows warm lines under the floor. Pressure testing isolates which line is losing water. Together these narrow the location to a small area before anything is cut.
No tool is perfect, and a deep or very small leak can take more than one method. We tell you how sure we are before recommending a repair. For the detection side by itself, see leak detection.
Repair options compared
| Option | Fits when | Things to know |
|---|---|---|
| Spot repair through the slab | A single leak in an accessible spot | Opens a small area of flooring and concrete. Restoration of the finish is a separate step. |
| Reroute the line overhead | Repeated leaks or a hard-to-reach line | Runs new pipe through the attic or walls and abandons the old line. Avoids opening the slab. |
| Repipe the house | Pipe throughout is failing | Replaces the supply lines. See repiping. |
| Epoxy lining | Selected pipe conditions | Not available for every pipe. A plumber must judge fit. |
What drives the cost of a slab leak repair
Factors that move the price
- Detection effort
- A clear hot spot is quick. A cold line with no symptoms takes more testing.
- Location
- A leak under a kitchen or tile floor means more restoration than one in a garage.
- Method
- Spot repair, rerouting and repiping differ in labor and materials.
- Number of leaks
- A second leak on the same line often points to a bigger answer.
- Finish work
- Flooring, drywall and paint after the plumbing are priced separately and may need other trades.
We give you a clear price before work starts and explain which parts of the restoration are not ours.
Want your real number? Call (239) 522-0887.
Slabs, age and insurance in Estero
Report a slab leak to your insurer early, since many policies treat sudden leaks differently from long-term seepage. Ask your insurer what is covered before cleanup begins. You can verify any plumber's licence at myfloridalicense.com.
We serve Estero, Bonita Springs and San Carlos Park.
Slab leak repair questions
A warm floor spot, a moving meter with everything off and the sound of running water are common signs. Only testing confirms the location.
If water is damaging the house or you cannot stop the loss, yes. Shut the main valve and call. A slow leak still deserves a prompt visit.
Sometimes, in a small area. Rerouting the line through the attic or walls avoids it. We talk through the options before work starts.
Prolonged leaks can wash out soil beneath the slab. We cannot assess structural effects. Ask a structural professional if you see cracks or movement.
Policies vary. Ask your insurer about sudden leaks versus gradual damage and whether the cost of access is covered.
It depends on detection and the method. Spot repairs are shorter. Rerouting and repiping take more time. We give an estimate of effort on site.
Still deciding? Call (239) 522-0887 any hour and talk it through.