Close-up of a copper water pipe and elbow

Leaks

Slab leak detection and repair

A slab leak is a leak in a water line under a concrete floor. It's fixed one of three ways: a spot repair through the slab, rerouting the line through walls or the attic, or repiping the affected section.

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At a glance

Common sign
A warm spot on a tile or concrete floor
First step
Confirm and isolate

Slab homes run water lines under or within the concrete. When one of those lines fails, the water has nowhere to go but into the slab, the soil beneath it, and eventually up through the flooring.

Finding the exact spot matters, because breaking concrete in the wrong place is expensive. Rerouting the line above the slab is often the better long-term fix — especially if the pipe under the floor is aging everywhere.

Slab Leak Detection & Repair at a glance

What it is: A slab leak is a leak in a water line under a concrete floor.
Service category: Leaks
Related: Leak Detection, Pipe Repair & Repiping, Emergency Plumbing

Signs you need slab leak help

A warm spot on a tile or concrete floor
Water meter moves with everything off
Sound of running water with no fixtures on
Damp carpet or cupped wood flooring
Unexplained jump in the water bill

The visit

What a slab leak detection visit involves

1
Confirm and isolate
Meter test, then isolate hot from cold and interior from the service line.
2
Pinpoint
Acoustic and thermal tools locate the leak before any concrete is touched.
3
Choose the fix
Spot repair, reroute or repipe — based on pipe age, location and flooring.
4
Restore and test
Pressure-test the repair; patch the slab or wall openings.

What affects the cost of slab leak detection

Hot vs. cold line
Flooring over the leak (tile, hardwood, carpet)
Spot repair vs. reroute
Age and material of the rest of the under-slab piping

Check slab leak detection coverage near you

Use your location or ZIP code to see whether slab leak detection & repair is covered where you are, and the nearest service area.

Location is only used to find the service area nearest you. It stays on your device and isn't stored.

Water actively leaking, overflowing or backing up? That's a job for 24-hour emergency service, not a scheduled visit.

Slab Leak Detection: common questions

Is a slab leak an emergency?

A hot-water slab leak should be dealt with quickly — it wastes energy, can damage flooring and can affect the soil under the foundation. Shut off the water heater's cold supply if the leak is on the hot side.

Is it better to repair or reroute a slab leak?

If the pipe is otherwise sound, a spot repair is fine. If it's older copper that has leaked before, rerouting above the slab avoids chasing the next leak.

How do I know if I have a slab leak?

A warm spot on the floor, the sound of running water with fixtures off, damp flooring, cracks in the slab or baseboards, and a meter that moves with all water off are the typical signs.

Are slab leaks covered by homeowners insurance?

Many policies cover the resulting water damage and sometimes the cost to access the pipe, but not the pipe repair itself. Coverage varies widely, so check your policy and document the leak.

What are the signs of a slab leak?

An unexplained jump in the water bill, running water sounds with fixtures off, a warm spot on the floor, damp flooring, or a meter that moves when nothing is on.

Repair through the slab or reroute?

A single leak on otherwise sound pipe can be spot-repaired through the slab. Repeated leaks or hard-to-reach locations often make rerouting the line through walls or the attic the better choice.

Service area

Slab Leak Detection across the Charlotte metro

Leak Detection

Plumbers find hidden leaks by isolating sections of plumbing and testing them, then pinpointing the spot with acoustic listening, thermal imaging and moisture meters — so only a small, targeted opening is needed for the repair..

Learn more