By Next Level Plumbing Inc. | Leak Detection & Foundation Protection
You open your mail, expecting the usual bills, but one stands out. Your water bill is double—maybe triple—what it was last month. You haven’t filled a swimming pool, you haven’t been watering the lawn excessively, and you haven’t had houseguests taking long showers.
So, where did the water go?
If you can’t see a dripping faucet or a running toilet, the leak is likely hidden. And in many Nevada, MO homes built on concrete foundations, that leak is likely under the slab. This is known as a “Slab Leak,” and it is one of the most stealthy and destructive plumbing issues you can face.
At Next Level Plumbing Inc., we specialize in finding these invisible leaks before they destroy your home’s foundation.
Step 1: The “Meter Test” (Do This Now)
Before you panic about slab leaks, you need to confirm that you actually have a leak and not just a billing error. The best detective tool you have is your water meter.
How to Perform the Meter Test
- Shut It Down: Ensure every faucet, dishwasher, and washing machine inside and outside the house is turned off. Tell the family not to flush the toilet for 10 minutes.
- Check the Dial: Go out to your water meter (usually in a pit near the street). Lift the lid.
- Look for Movement: Most meters have a “Leak Indicator”—a small red triangle or a spinning gear. If all water is off, this indicator should be perfectly still.
- The Verdict: If that triangle is spinning, water is moving through the meter. You have a leak.
What Exactly is a “Slab Leak”?
Many homes in Vernon County are built on a “slab-on-grade” foundation. This means the concrete floor of your home was poured directly over the dirt. Before the concrete was poured, plumbers ran copper water lines through that dirt to supply your kitchen island or bathroom.
Signs You Are Walking on Water
Since the pipe is buried under 4 inches of concrete, you won’t see a puddle right away. Instead, look (and feel) for these subtle clues:
- Hot Spots on the Floor: This is the #1 sign. Walk around your home in bare feet. If you find a spot on the tile, hardwood, or carpet that feels weirdly warm, you likely have a hot water line leaking right underneath it.
- The Sound of Running Water: Is the house quiet, but you can still hear the faint sound of water rushing or hissing? That is the sound of the leak echoing through the pipes in the wall.
- Damp Carpet or Baseboards: Water will eventually wick up through the concrete. If you see mildew on your baseboards or feel a wet spot on the carpet, the leak has been active for weeks.
- Low Water Pressure: A significant leak steals pressure from your shower.
We Don’t Guess. We Locate.
The old way of fixing slab leaks was a nightmare: grab a jackhammer and start breaking the floor until you find water. This ruined floors and cost thousands in unnecessary repairs.
The Next Level Approach:
We use advanced Electronic Leak Detection equipment. This acts like a stethoscope for your floor. We can hear the frequency of the leak through the concrete and pinpoint its location within inches. This allows us to make a surgical repair with minimal damage to your home.
Often, we don’t even break the floor. Instead of digging up the old pipe, we simply abandon it in place. We run a brand-new PEX line through the attic or walls (overhead re-route) to bypass the leak entirely. This is often cleaner, faster, and ensures that the old pipe can never leak again.
Stop Paying for Water You Don’t Use
A slab leak doesn’t fix itself. It only gets worse. The longer water runs under your foundation, the higher the risk of cracking your slab or causing structural settling.
If your water bill is high or your floor feels hot, call Next Level Plumbing Inc. immediately. We will find the leak, stop the waste, and protect your home.
High Water Bill?
Don’t let a hidden leak drain your bank account. Call Next Level Plumbing Inc. for professional detection.
Slab Leak Specialists in Nevada, MO