What is slab leakage? What to do if I have a slab leak?
Concrete slabs are an essential part of home construction. During the post-World War II construction boom, slab fabrication became very popular because it was cheap and easy. The process involved pouring concrete mix into a prepared, structured slab. Today, slab foundations are commonly found in areas with a warm climate as the slabs are less likely to develop cracks due to freezing and thawing. The plumbing of the house runs underneath the slab. A problem only occurs when a pipe bursts or cracks, and the water starts rising through the cracks in the slab to form pools. Even if there are no signs of water pooling on the floor, wet surfaces and warm spots indicate a slab leakage.
If you’re thinking about how and why do slabs leak, then understand that when water leaks beneath the concrete surface, it automatically abrades the base. As the base wears out, slabs lose their support. It increases the pressure on the slabs, and your flooring starts developing fine fissures that may not be visible to the naked eye. But these are enough for water to seep into your home. As a homeowner, you have to be watchful and check for signs of leakage. If you do not pay attention to the problem at once, it will cause great damage to your floors, walls, and other personal belongings.
Can you stop slab leakage?
Technically, yes, by adopting precautionary measures to prevent slab leakage. Leakage is mostly due to excessive water pressure or aging that weakens the pipes causing them to rupture. If you notice high water pressure as water rushes out with great speed from taps and showers, you may regulate it by contacting your plumber. Also, in most households, it is common to use chemical cleaners for the kitchen sink, wash basin outlets, or pipes attached in your washrooms. These chemicals help you clean the pipes removing clogged dirt, but they corrode the inner surface of pipes, making them brittle. However, that does not mean clogged outlets are good for the drainage system. Instead, you might have to ask a plumber to clean the pipes for you. If you happen to stay near the coast or a place that experiences heavy rainfall, the groundwater table rises, and excess water underneath the ground also results in slab leakages. As a homeowner, you have to take care of all these issues, and frequent maintenance is advisable. But what about sudden damage due to an unexpected event? For this reason, you have to rely on home insurance and make a slab leak insurance claim.
Handling an emergency is difficult in itself. If you also have to manage the insurance claim process, it can be stressful. For your peace of mind, do get in touch with a reputed public adjuster like Experienced Public Adjusters. You will get the assistance of professionals who will stand up for you. We understand that you need financial support to combat a difficult situation, and our aim is to help you get that. Our team of licensed adjusters is with you throughout the claim process, interpreting your insurance policy clauses, noting damages, gathering the required documents, and preparing an indisputable claim so that you receive your just settlement.
Contact Experienced Public Adjusters for a free review of your slab leak insurance claim.