Malibu Beach Slab Leak Repairs

One of the most disruptive and potentially costly plumbing repairs can be a leak beneath your concrete slab floors. This is typically a leak that is “heard” or determined by a higher than normal water bill. It remains unseen since it’s likely in a pipe that is buried underground and beneath a 4” slab of concrete.

What should you do and where do you start?

First, it may help to review our page about Leak Detection for some very helpful information. Second, contact your slab leak detection and repair experts at Malibu Beach Plumbing right away! Our state-of-the-art electronic leak detection equipment and “expert detectives” can locate the leak quickly and with pinpoint accuracy...

Although slab leaks can be one of the most disruptive, damaging and costly plumbing repairs, it does not have to be that way - providing you call the Malibu Beach Slab Leak Experts. We will not spend hours and hours jack-hammering holes throughout your home’s flooring trying to chase down an elusive leak the old fashioned way. Instead, you can expect the following...

Here is a typical slab leak sequence

• We will pin-point the location of the leak prior to cutting into any floors.
• We will consult with you to let you know what to expect and the estimated cost before moving forward.
• We will advise of any options and alternatives, including rerouting or repiping if more feasible.
• Upon approval we will then cut a clean, minimum-sized work hole in the floor to access the source of the leak and make the necessary repairs.
• You will also be advised of the possible cause of the leak, condition of the pipe and whether to expect any future problems.

If you wish we can also provide you with a detailed estimate and proposal for repiping your entire home so that you will know where you stand and what to expect if ever needed. Additionally, since we respect you and your property, we will also do the following:

• We will carefully set any furnishings aside as needed.
• We will cover the work area with drop cloths to protect your flooring.
• We will also cover a path right out your door to avoid tracking dirt in and out.
• We will patch your floors back with cement upon job completion.
• We will haul off all job debris and clean up any mess.
• We will carefully remove our drop cloths, leaving the work area clean.
• We will carefully move any furnishings back into place.
• We will leave you with the problem solved and a smile on your face...

Scrutinize your plumber

Be careful who you call to repair a leak under your concrete slab. As you can see it is a multi-step process which requires the proper equipment, skill and care: you want your leak pinpointed first, then properly accessed and professionally repaired with as little lateral damage as possible.
Important note: Due to the nature of this work, be sure that your plumber is licensed, bonded and fully insured for your protection!

What to watch out for:

The old fashioned plumber...
They are ill-equipped and typically arrive with a rented jack-hammer, helper and hearing aids turned up full volume. Some may still use a divining rod (if they start dancing with it, please dial 911)... This approach is very 1900’s, hit and miss and quite destructive.

The typical plumber and Leak Hunter Duo...
There are some great leak detection companies out there. However, that’s all they typically do - they are not normally licensed plumbers - just “leak locators”. They will come out with the proper equipment and locate the leak, often just leaving a large “X” on the floor where they feel the leak should be. Their job is now done.

Next, the plumber arrives. He will then break through the floor where the “X” is and (hopefully) dig his way down to the leak and make the necessary repair. The good ones will also backfill the hole, tamp down the dirt and patch the hole in the floor. Hopefully they’ll also haul off the debris and clean up the ensuing mess...

Now review our process again and notice the difference. “Who ya gonna call?”

To gather some very helpful information, please refer to our Leak Detection page. You will discover some great tips on detection, isolating the leak and controlling water waste until your plumber arrives.

We are Malibu Beach - standing by to serve all of your plumbing needs.