It all comes down to the concrete slab quality and how it was cut and installed. The primary causes are related to the surrounding soil and environment, as well as the initial installation and construction of your home.
Shifting Soil
Fort Worth and many other parts of Texas face geological issues that require people to take appropriate safety measures when building houses. The clay soil found in Fort Worth is very active, and thus, unstable during rainy and cold weather. That said, drought doesn’t make much difference either, because dried soil will crack and move too, triggering slab leaks. Fort Worth, TX homes often tend to have foundation problems because of this, whether built on a concrete slab, piers or beams—shifting soil will always be the arch enemy of your home’s structural integrity.
Faulty Installation
We tend to trust those who build our homes, but who can determine whether your lines were installed correctly or not? After our Fort Worth plumbing diagnosis and inspection service, we will be able to tell you exactly how your lines are looking and whether you require further professional services to correct issues before they result in a slab leak.
Water Pressure Fluctuations
Do you hear whooshing sounds or even water hammers in your water lines when you shut off your faucet? The main reason for pressure fluctuations like those is trapped air in the pipes. There could be a leaking suction line that allows air to enter, or you might have an improperly installed fixture that needs some tightening. You can also install a pressure regulator to ensure that pressure does not damage your buried pipes and cause a slab leak.
Earthquakes
Fort Worth has experienced earthquakes and tremors in the past. That intense shaking and shifting soil put huge stress on your foundation and structural components, not to mention waste and water pipes. If you have experienced an earthquake, it’s crucial that you check for any dislodged or damaged lines. If you have a lower level where water is flowing down the walls, you likely need slab leak repair. Fort Worth, TX homes located near active construction sites, or those with construction being done in their yard, can also suffer from damage for the same reasons.
Aging Homes And Pipes
Older homes are always more susceptible to structural damage, especially when exposed to extreme weather conditions and lack of maintenance. If you have old cast iron or galvanized steel for underground pipes, they will slowly corrode over time, becoming weaker and weaker until they eventually collapse, causing a slab leak.
Frozen Pipes
Cold weather can leave pipes and fixtures frozen, and those frozen lines could affect the ones underneath your concrete slab. Water that flows through frozen pipes in a rush while they’re highly sensitive could lead to bursts and even slab leaks.
Before preparing your pipes for the winter, it’s crucial to drain your garden hose and hose spigot and turn off the shut-off valve. Any water that remains could freeze and expand, causing damage to your water supply line and the rest of your plumbing system.