Overview
Most San Antonio homes sit on a concrete slab with water lines buried underneath. Soil movement, abrasion against rock or concrete, and the constant expansion of hot water lines can wear through a pipe. Because the leak is out of sight, the first signs are usually a rising bill, a warm or damp patch on the floor or new cracks.
Locating a slab leak takes method. We test hot and cold lines separately to see which is losing pressure, then listen through the floor and use thermal imaging on hot lines to narrow it to a small area. Once marked, you get repair options: open the floor and fix the spot, or reroute the line above the slab.
How we handle it
Confirm the loss
Meter test and separate pressure tests on hot and cold.
Narrow the area
Acoustic listening and thermal scans through the floor.
Mark and advise
Exact spot marked, repair options priced.
What it costs
Detection is separate from the repair. After locating the leak, you get prices for a direct repair through the floor and for a reroute, side by side. Flooring removal and replacement are noted so you can compare true costs.
Good to know
- Notice whether the warm spot is near the water heater line or a bathroom.
- Track how long the meter keeps moving with every tap off.
- Ask your insurer about coverage for access and repair before work starts.
Flooring choices matter for slab leak repair. Tile and wood over the leak raise the cost of a direct repair, which is one reason a reroute through walls or the attic often wins in finished northwest side homes.
Slab leak detection questions
Is a reroute better than breaking the slab?
Often, especially for a second leak or when expensive flooring sits over the spot.
Can a slab leak damage my foundation?
It can, by softening or shifting the dirt under the concrete, which is a good reason not to wait.
Does homeowners insurance cover it?
Many policies cover access and damage. Check yours and we will document what we find.
Can a slab leak be on the sewer, not the water line?
Yes. Drain line leaks under the slab are found with a camera and a flow test, not pressure testing.