If your house does not include a basement, then it was likely built on top of a concrete slab. The slab itself offers support for the home and includes entry and exit points for all the main water lines in the house. When those water lines leak in the slab area, the damage is known as a slab leak.
A slab leak can cause more than just water damage to your home. The water itself can create many dangers, especially in the summertime. Read on to learn about some of the dangers associated with slab leaks in the summer and reasons to get the repairs done as quickly as possible to avoid dangers in the future.
1. Mold Growth
The flat style of a concrete slab often leaves leaking water with nowhere to go. Water could leak from the input lines or come directly from the outgoing sewer lines of your house. If water stands still for too long, the soaked area could cause the growth of mold.
Black mold may present many health issues, especially for those who breathe in the moldy air on a regular basis. In many cases, you could smell the moldy water, especially if the water leaks from the sewer line. The growth of mold may happen rapidly and increase exposure due to high heat in the summer.
Humidity could lift mold spores into the air and dramatically decrease the air quality in the home. If you sense any weird odors in the house, then you should have your slab inspected as soon as possible. The more you remain exposed to mold, the more health problems could persist.
2. Pool Infiltration
If you have a slab leak that includes your sewage line, then you need to worry about raw waste that spreads out from the slab and into other areas of your home. The contaminated water could seep into the grass of your property and lead to major lawn damage. If you own an in-ground swimming pool, then you may have concerns with slab leaks near the pool.
The contaminated water could get into the pool. Anyone who swims could get exposed to the raw sewage and the water could dramatically change the chemical balance of the water. If the slab leak is not discovered quickly, then the pool water could constantly have water draining into the mix.
The pool could eventually become unsafe to swim in due to bacteria levels and you may need to replace all of the pool water if the problem persists.
3. Foundation Damage
If water leaks into the slab, then the slab could crack or suffer damage from water exposure. The excess water could also lead to foundation damage. In the summer, the extra water exposure and growth could lead to excess plant growth, exposure to mud, and other elements that could further damage the foundation.
If your home sits on a damaged foundation, then many dangers could occur. A house could shift and walls could feel extra physical pressure. Added pressure to the foundation could cause more cracks and damage. Exposure to high heat could exponentially increase the dangers as well. The house could eventually become unsafe to live in.
If you are able to repair the slab leak early on, then you can prevent the foundation damage. Water can do powerful damage, even in small doses. A small water leak could also worsen over time and become more rapid.
For all of your slab leak repairs, contact us at
Express Electrical Services. We can help diagnose your slab leak, stop the leak, and then perform the proper repairs to ensure your house operates smoothly again. We can trace the source of the leak and access any additional damage that has occurred.
