A slab leak is a leak in a water line under or inside a home's concrete foundation. Warning signs include warm spots on the floor, a rising water bill, running-water sounds with every tap off and damp flooring. CASC uses leak detection to pinpoint the leak, then explains repair options before any concrete is opened.
What is a slab leak?
It's a leak in a supply or drain line that runs under or through your concrete slab. Because the pipe is out of sight, water can escape for a while before anyone notices.
Many Central Arkansas homes are built on slabs, with water lines running through or beneath the concrete. Hot water lines tend to show leaks as warm spots, while cold lines may show only as moisture or a higher bill.
Slab leaks fall into two groups. Supply-line leaks are pressurized, so they run constantly and show up on the water meter. Drain-line leaks only leak when water goes down the drain, so they won't move the meter and are usually found with a camera inspection or other testing.
What are the warning signs?
Look for warm or damp areas on the floor, a water bill that rises without explanation, the sound of running water with fixtures off and cracks or lifting in flooring.
- A warm spot on tile or a floor you can feel barefoot.
- Damp carpet, swelling wood floors or mildew smells with no visible source.
- A water heater that seems to run constantly.
- Low water pressure throughout the house.
Why do slab leaks happen?
Pipes age, rub against concrete or gravel, and corrode over time. Ground movement can also add stress, and Central Arkansas has clay soils that shrink and swell with moisture.
High water pressure puts extra strain on every line in the house, including the ones under the slab. A failed or missing pressure reducing valve is worth checking if you've had more than one leak.
Slab homes with a low spot near the foundation can also collect water outside the slab during heavy rain. Where that's an issue, a sump pump moves groundwater away, and a sewage ejector pump lifts wastewater from fixtures that sit below the sewer line. CASC installs and repairs both.
How does CASC find and fix a slab leak?
We use leak detection to locate the leak before opening anything, then explain repair options: a spot repair through the slab or rerouting the line above it.
Detection usually starts with confirming the leak and isolating which line is losing water, hot or cold. From there, our technicians use leak detection tools to narrow the location so the repair can be planned around the smallest practical opening or a reroute.
Choosing between a spot repair and a reroute depends on the pipe's age and condition, where the leak is, what flooring sits above it and whether other leaks are likely along the same line. We walk you through the trade-offs and give you pricing before work starts.
- Leak detection to confirm and pinpoint the leak, including slab, hidden and water-line leaks.
- A spot repair when the damage is limited and the rest of the line is sound.
- Rerouting a line through walls or the attic when that's the more practical fix.
- Photos, written findings and documentation for insurance-related jobs. Coverage is between you and your insurer.
What's the next step?
If the meter test points to a leak, book a visit. Service calls are $99 on weekdays and $149 on weekends and holidays, and you get pricing before repairs start.
We're open Monday through Sunday, 7 AM to 6 PM. Same-day service when availability allows. Call 501-307-1310.
Frequently asked questions
Does a slab leak always mean breaking up the floor?
No. Leak detection narrows the spot first, and rerouting the line can avoid opening the slab when that's the better option.
Will my homeowner's insurance cover a slab leak?
That depends on your policy. CASC provides photos, written findings and documentation, but we can't tell you what your insurer will cover.
Should I shut off my water if I suspect a slab leak?
If you see active water damage, closing the main shutoff limits it until a plumber arrives. Know where your main shutoff is before you need it.
Terms on this page
Related guides
- How our pricing works Repairs start with a service call: $99 on weekdays and $149 on weekends and holidays, for HVAC and plumbing. That fee is not waived or credited toward the repair. HVAC replacements, larger plumbing projects and commercial HVAC projects get a free estimate instead. There is no travel fee within our normal 50-mile service area.
- What to expect from a CASC repair visit To book a repair, send the contact form with your preferred day and time or call 501-307-1310. We confirm the actual appointment with you. Repair visits start with a service call: $99 on weekdays and $149 on weekends and holidays. We're open Monday-Sunday, 7:00 AM-6:00 PM, with same-day service when availability allows.
- Fixes for the problem rooms in your home Most comfort and plumbing complaints come from specific spaces: a hot upstairs or bonus room, an addition or garage the ductwork doesn't reach, a house that feels muggy, or a slab floor hiding a leak. Each has its own causes and fixes, from airflow corrections and ductless systems to whole-home dehumidifiers and slab leak detection.
Think you have a slab leak?
We'll pinpoint it and explain your options before any concrete comes up.
Schedule leak detection