Homes built on a solid concrete slab don’t tend to have basements or crawl spaces below the home’s main level. Slab foundation homes are pretty common and they do have a few advantages… but the plumbing under slab foundation homes is very unique. Slab foundations are on the inexpensive side when it comes to home construction but there are some common slab foundation plumbing issues you should be aware of.

If you’re noticing wet spots on your floor, cracks in your foundation, or a spike in your water bill, you may have some type of plumbing leak. These are challenging to spot and resolve when all the plumbing rests below the concrete slab. Here is everything you need to know about slab house plumbing, including the pros and cons of this plumbing type.

What is Plumbing Under Slab Foundation?

If your home is built on a concrete slab foundation, that foundation was constructed by pouring concrete within a mold, and then it was left to cure. This forms the base level of your home, meaning there is no crawlspace or basement below the main floor. When it comes to slab foundation plumbing, you can expect all your home’s plumbing to be beneath that concrete slab. Usually, plumbing in concrete slab foundations is buried in gravel or sand.

Plumbing under slab foundation homes is usually made up of copper, cast iron, or galvanized steel piping. Unfortunately, any material you choose for your slab house plumbing is going to decay and wear down over time. The pipes may start to corrode, leaks can occur, and you may end up needing to schedule a repair job at some point. Due to the construction of the home’s foundation, the pipes are difficult to access. It’s a challenging task to reconfigure slab foundation plumbing once the slab is placed and the home is built.

Pros and Cons of Slab Foundation Plumbing

Slab Foundation Pros

Here are the main advantages of having a home with a slab foundation:

• Less expensive foundation. Slab foundations are easier and cheaper to make, allowing the home to be more affordable than houses with a full basement foundation.

• Fast construction. Slab foundations are easier to make and also faster to make than other home foundation types. This will cut down the time needed if you’re considering a home build.

• Lower heating and cooling bills. Since you have no basement to manage, you can expect your home’s HVAC bills to be lower than a home with a full basement.

• Reduced pest issues and fewer mold or mildew problems. Since there’s no crawlspace or basement, your home is less prone to pest infestations or mold issues.

Slab Foundation Cons

Just as they have some advantages, slab foundations also have their setbacks. Here are some disadvantages to consider:

• Less square footage and less space for storage or utility placement. It’s common for the big utility equipment to go in a basement or crawlspace, which simply isn’t an option when you have a slab foundation home. All the ventilation, ductwork, heaters, and so on must be inside the home or in the attic.

• Slab foundation plumbing repairs are always a big job. If you have a plumbing leak in your home, you need a jackhammer to get through the concrete slab and locate the leak. Some leaks cannot be detected until a plumber can get under the slab.

• Leaks are harder to notice, making them harder to prevent. You may not ever notice a leak has occurred until you see an especially high water bill.

• Foundation cracks. Since the slab is made of pure concrete, it’s not uncommon for it to develop cracks over time and through inclement weather.

How to Spot a Slab Foundation Plumbing Leak?

Plumbing in concrete slab foundation homes is impossible to see since it all rests below the concrete slab. This makes leaks notoriously difficult to notice. However, there are some signs indicating a leak has occurred beneath your slab foundation. Here are some to keep an eye out for:

• Water spots on your floor

• Signs of water damage on your floor

• Soft areas on your floor

• Varying temperatures on your floor, either hot or cold

• An unexpected increase in your water bill without any reason

• Foul odors 

• Visible foundation damage

• Low water pressure

• Cracks in your home walls

• Pooling water in your yard

• Visible depressions in your yard

• Signs of mold, mildew, or decay due to water, especially under the carpet

• Water seeping through your foundation

If you live on a slab foundation home, don’t ignore signs of leaks in the hopes they go away. Water damage and leaking pipes are serious issues that need to be repaired quickly to no further, costly damages occur. Don’t compromise the safety of your home by procrastinating on fixing a leak. Call in for an emergency service visit and get a professional on the job as soon as possible.

Do You Need Slab House Plumbing Repair?

If you suspect you may have a leaking pipe hiding somewhere under your slab foundation, it’s time to call CroppMetcalfe. Hiring an experienced, licensed plumber for slab foundation plumbing repairs is a necessity. This helps ensure the issue will get the attention it needs quickly, effectively, and efficiently. Schedule a service visit today and reach out if you have any questions.