Slab leak damage hides because a valley house sits on concrete over dry, hard soil, so the water spreads under flooring and up into walls before anyone sees it. A plumber finds and fixes the line. We dry and rebuild what it soaked.
Caliche, a hard cemented layer under the surface, is the main reason Las Vegas houses rarely have basements. Most homes sit on a slab with water lines running under or through it. Local plumbers report that dry desert soil soaks up leaking water, so a slab leak can run for a long time with no puddle anywhere. What you see instead is a symptom somewhere else in the house.
Signs worth checking
A warm spot on tile or wood floor when a hot water line is the one leaking
A water bill that climbs with no change in use
The sound of running water when everything is off
Baseboard swelling or flooring lifting in one area
A damp, musty smell near an inside wall
A notice from the water district. It contacts account holders when meters see continuous flow for at least three days.
The meter check you can do tonight
Turn off every faucet, the ice maker, the irrigation and the softener. Then watch the red or white flow indicator triangle on your water meter. If it still moves, water is going somewhere. If you also shut the main at the house and the triangle keeps turning, the Las Vegas Valley Water District says the leak is most likely underground between the shutoff and the meter.
What we do after the leak is fixed
Map the floor and walls
Meter readings across the slab surface, baseboards and the bottom of nearby drywall.
Lift what traps water
Carpet pad, some laminate and vinyl plank hold water against the slab and often have to come up.
Dry the slab and walls
Concrete is a dense Class 4 material and dries slowly. Air movers and dehumidifiers run until readings settle.
Rebuild
Drywall at the base of walls, baseboard, insulation and paint. Flooring is replaced or reinstalled once the slab reads dry.
Questions people ask
How do I know if I have a slab leak?
Warm floor spots, a rising bill, running water sounds and a moving meter triangle with all water off are the common clues.
Can a slab leak go unnoticed?
Plumbers report that dry desert soil soaks up water, so a slab leak can run a long time with no wet spot.
Who finds a slab leak?
A leak detection plumber. We handle the water damage.
Does insurance cover slab leaks?
Policies differ. The pipe repair, the slab access and the water damage are often treated separately.
Do floors have to come up?
Flooring that traps water against the slab often does. Tile may stay if readings allow.
How long does a slab take to dry?
Concrete dries slowly. We run equipment until readings settle.
Why are there no basements in Las Vegas?
Caliche, a hard cemented soil layer, is the main reason.
Does hard water cause slab leaks?
Plumbers point to it, along with fitting wear. The valley water is very hard at 17 grains per gallon.
Can a slab leak cause mold?
Yes, in walls and under flooring that stay wet.
Do you replace baseboards and drywall?
Yes, along with insulation and paint.
Water on the floor right now?
Shut the main valve if you can reach it without standing in water near outlets. Then call, or text a photo and the address.