Signs of a Slab Leak in a Longview Home

Clues around the house

A floor that feels warm in one spot, the sound of water running when nothing is on, damp carpet or swollen flooring, new cracks in tile, or a water bill that jumps without any change in how you use water.

Use the meter

Turn off every tap and water-using appliance, then look at the meter's leak indicator. If it keeps turning, water is going somewhere.

Narrow it down

Close the main shut-off at the house. If the indicator stops, the leak is inside. If it keeps moving, the leak may be in the line between the meter and the house. Then check toilets by adding food coloring to each tank.

Hot or cold side

If the water heater seems to run constantly and there's a warm patch on the floor, the leak is likely on the hot line. A cold-line leak shows mainly on the meter.

Don't wait

Water under a slab can wet the soil under the foundation. In clay soils that swell and shrink, that's worth avoiding. It can also feed mold under flooring.

Next step

Write down what you found and send it with your request. See slab leak repair.

An overnight check

If the meter's indicator is hard to see, write down the full reading at bedtime, use no water overnight, and read it again first thing. Any change means water moved while the house was asleep.

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