Plumber in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

How do I know if I have a slab leak in Rancho Santa Margarita?

Warm spots on the floor, the sound of running water when nothing is on, and a water bill that jumps are the most common signs. We test and locate slab leaks for Rancho Santa Margarita homeowners.

A slab leak is a leak in a water line that runs under a concrete foundation. You can't see it, so it can go on for a while before anyone notices. The sooner it's found, the less water ends up under your floor. Read about slab leak detection to see how we find them.

Which signs point to a hidden leak?

• A water meter that keeps moving with every tap and appliance off
• A warm or damp spot on a tile or wood floor
• Cracks in flooring or baseboards that swell
• Mildew smells with no clear source
• Lower water pressure than normal

Our page on a water meter spinning or high water bill explains a quick check you can do yourself.

What causes slab leaks?

Pipes under a slab can wear thin over the years. Water rubbing a pipe against concrete, small shifts in the ground, and water chemistry can all play a part. A hot water line is under extra stress because it expands and contracts every day.

How does Done-Rite find a leak without tearing up the floor?

We use electronic leak detection. Acoustic tools and pressure tests let us narrow the leak to a small area, so we open only what we need to.

First, we confirm there's a leak with a water meter test. Next, we isolate the hot and cold lines to see which one is losing water. Then we use listening equipment to pinpoint the spot. Our article on how electronic leak detection works goes step by step.

Can you find leaks inside walls too?

Yes. The same tools work on leaks behind drywall, under cabinets and in ceilings. Visit our electronic leak detection page to learn more. We'll show you where the leak is before we open anything.

What are my options for slab leak repair?

Most slab leaks are fixed by a spot repair through the floor or by rerouting the line above the slab. Slab leak repair runs $500 to $3,000, depending on the method.

The right choice depends on where the leak is and the shape of the rest of the pipe. We'll explain each option so you can weigh cost and disruption.

What is a direct spot repair?

We open a small section of floor right above the leak, cut out the bad piece of pipe and replace it. It works well when the pipe around it is in good shape.

What is a reroute?

A reroute abandons the leaking section and runs a new line through walls or the attic. It avoids breaking concrete and can make sense when the old line has more than one weak spot. See our slab leak repair page and the slab leak repair cost guide.

When is a repipe the better choice?

If you've had several leaks, a whole house repipe may cost less over time than chasing one leak after another. A repipe runs $18,000 to $30,000, depending on how many bathrooms your home has. Financing is available with terms up to 10 years.

What should I do if I think I have a leak?

Check your water meter with everything off, then call us. If water is spreading across a floor, shut off the main valve first. Those two steps limit damage while you wait.

How do I check the water meter?

Turn off every faucet, the washer, the dishwasher and any irrigation. Then look at the meter. Most meters have a small dial or triangle that spins when water moves. If it keeps turning with nothing on, water is going somewhere it shouldn't. Write down the reading, wait an hour and check it again for a second clue.

Where is my main shutoff valve?

It's often near the front of the house, close to where the water line comes in, or near the water heater. Some homes have it in a box by the curb. It's a good idea to find it now, before you need it. Our plumbing emergency guide shows what to look for.

Should I keep using water?

Use as little as you can until we test the lines. Running water through a leaking pipe pushes more water under the slab. If the leak is on the hot side, turning off the water heater supply can slow it down until we arrive.

Does Done-Rite handle other plumbing in Rancho Santa Margarita?

Yes. We also clean drains, repair sewer lines, service water heaters, install fixtures and work on gas lines in Rancho Santa Margarita.

We work on both slab and raised-foundation homes, so the approach fits the way your home is built. Drain cleaning starts at $99, and that price includes a camera inspection on one qualifying drain. Tank water heaters start at $2,300 installed.

How can I schedule leak detection in Rancho Santa Margarita?

Use our contact page or call (714) 605-2950. We're open 6:00am to 7:00pm every day, with no trip charge.

If you see water coming up through the floor, close your main shutoff valve and call us. We offer 24/7 emergency service with a 1-hour response. We pull the permit when one is required, and our labor carries at least a 1-year warranty.