Most Las Vegas homes are built on a concrete slab, with water lines running underneath or through it. When one of those lines springs a leak, it’s called a slab leak. They’re common here, and because the leak is hidden under your floor, it can run for weeks before anyone notices.
Why slab leaks are common in Las Vegas
- Hard water. Minerals and scale wear on the inside of copper pipes over time.
- Shifting soil. The valley’s caliche and clay soils move as they dry and settle, stressing pipes under the slab.
- Temperature swings. Hot water lines expand and contract every time they’re used, rubbing against concrete and gravel. Hot lines usually fail first.
- Age. Homes built in the 1980s and 1990s, in areas like Green Valley, Spring Valley and early Summerlin, are reaching the age where original copper lines start to leak.
Warning signs of a slab leak
- A water bill that jumps without a change in how much water you use
- Warm spots on tile or carpet, often in a line across the floor
- The sound of running water when every faucet is off
- Damp carpet, warped wood floors or cracks in tile
- Mildew, musty smells or moisture at baseboards
- Low water pressure or a water heater that runs constantly
How to check for a leak yourself
- Turn off every faucet, appliance and irrigation system.
- Find your water meter, usually in a box near the street.
- Watch the small leak indicator (often a triangle or star) or the dial for a few minutes.
- If it’s moving, water is going somewhere.
If the meter moves, shut off the main valve at the house. If the meter stops, the leak is inside the home. If it keeps moving, the leak may be in the line between the meter and the house. Learn about professional leak detection.
Your repair options
Spot repair
After pinpointing the leak with acoustic and thermal equipment, a plumber opens a small section of the slab and repairs the pipe. This works well for a single leak in otherwise healthy pipe.
Reroute
The leaking line is abandoned and a new one is run through the walls or attic instead of under the slab. This avoids breaking up floors and prevents that line from leaking under the slab again.
Repipe
If your home has had more than one slab leak, the rest of the copper is often thin too. A whole-home repipe replaces the water lines and ends the cycle of leaks. Read about repiping.
Does insurance cover slab leaks?
Many homeowners policies help with the cost of accessing the leak and repairing water damage, but not always the pipe repair itself. Coverage varies, so check your policy. A good plumber will give you photos and written findings for your claim.
Get help with a slab leak
TPM Services finds and repairs slab leaks across the Las Vegas Valley, and we’ll tell you honestly whether a repair, reroute or repipe makes the most sense. See our slab leak repair service, or call 702-932-5755. Our phone is answered 24/7.
