Questions · Leaks and pipes

Signs of a slab leak

A warm patch on the floor, the sound of running water with everything off, a water bill that climbed for no reason, or damp showing at the edge of the flooring. Most Valley homes sit on a slab with supply lines beneath it, so a leak under there has nowhere to go but up and out.

Last updated September 2026Ironwood Valley Plumbing

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The signs

A warm spot on the floor, which usually means the hot line
Running water audible when every fixture is off
A water bill that jumped with no change in how the house is used
Damp carpet, lifting tile or a baseboard staining from the bottom
Low pressure that arrived gradually with no other explanation
A musty smell in one part of the house

Confirm it before you panic

01
Turn everything off and read the meter, then read it again 20 minutes later
02
If it moved, close the main shutoff at the house and read again
03
Still moving means it is out at the service line rather than under the slab
04
Stopped means the water is going somewhere inside, which includes under the slab
05
Check the obvious silent ones first: toilets, irrigation valves, a softener regenerating

What to do meanwhile

Know where your main shutoff is and that it turns
Close it if you are leaving the house for any length of time
Move anything that matters off a floor that is already damp
Photograph what you see, because it helps anyone assessing it later

Answers

More on this

Does a slab leak always mean breaking the floor?

Not always. Depending on where it is and how the house is plumbed, rerouting the line can be less disruptive than opening the slab. That is a decision made once the leak has been located, not before.

Is a warm floor always a slab leak?

No, but it is worth taking seriously, because a hot line under a slab is the most common version. Sun through a window and a nearby appliance are the innocent explanations.

How fast should I act?

Water under a slab does not stay put. Confirming it with the meter is quick, and it turns a worry into something a plumber can act on.

If you need this done

Pipe and leak repairDamaged, corroded or leaking pipe repaired or replaced, including hidden leaks behind walls, with as little disruption as possible.
Water pressure and regulatorsPressure checked with a gauge, and regulators repaired or replaced when the house is getting more than the plumbing should take.
Sewer line repairBackups, several slow drains at once, or foul odors: clogs, root intrusion and damaged or collapsed lines, repaired or replaced.
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