Most valley homes are built on concrete slabs, with water lines running under or through them. Over time, hard water, heat, and soil movement can wear pinholes in those lines. A slab leak can run for weeks before you notice it.
Warning signs
- A water bill that jumps without explanation
- Warm spots on the floor (a hot-water line leak)
- The sound of running water with everything off
- Damp carpet, cracked tile, or swelling wood flooring
- Musty odors along baseboards
- The water meter's leak indicator moving with all fixtures off
What to do
- Turn off all fixtures and watch the meter's leak indicator.
- If it moves, close the main and call a licensed plumber with leak-detection equipment.
- Photograph damp areas and call your insurer about their process.
- If flooring, walls, or cabinets are wet, a restoration contractor can measure moisture and dry the structure.
Repair options
Plumbers may repair the line through the slab, reroute it through walls or the attic, or repipe the home. Ask each plumber to explain the options in writing. Policies often treat water damage differently from the cost of fixing the pipe itself, so ask your insurer.
How our referral works
We are a referral service, not a contractor. When you call or send a request, we connect you with an independent restoration contractor licensed by the CSLB who serves your city. You contract with and pay that contractor directly, and you are always welcome to choose someone else.
How to check a contractor in California
- Look up the license on the CSLB website and confirm it is active and fits the work.
- Ask for proof of liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage.
- Get a written contract and estimate before work begins, and read any assignment-of-benefits or direction-to-pay form before signing.
- Ask which IICRC or other training their crew holds and how they document moisture readings.
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Common questions
Can a slab leak cause mold?
Yes. Water trapped under flooring and in walls can lead to mold. Have wet materials checked and dried.
Is a slab leak an emergency?
A hot-water leak or visible water should be handled quickly. Close the main if you cannot isolate it.
Request a referral
Four fields. We will call you back and refer you to an independent contractor. Our call line is coming soon.
Need a restoration contractor in the Coachella Valley?
Tell us what happened and we will refer you to an independent, licensed contractor.