Water Leaking Through Concrete: Here’s What You Should Do

John J.
Water Leaking Through Concrete: Here’s What You Should Do

When looking for plumbing leaks, most homeowners look at drainage systems and plumbing fixtures. Since these are most common around bathroom and kitchen spaces, homeowners typically inspect these areas for a routine check-up. However, some signs of plumbing concerns won’t always be as obvious as others.

Understanding The Cause of Concrete Floor Leaks

Most people notice plumbing leaks through darkening walls or bloated ceilings. However, water damage can also manifest through concrete slabs. While concrete doesn’t deteriorate as fast as wood or laminate, it can still allow water to seep through from it.

A wide range of factors contributes to slab leakage, which can be internal or external in nature. Additionally, poor installation of concrete floor insulation can also contribute to slab leakage. Thankfully, there are manageable responses to internal and external concrete floor leaks.

Repairing Internal Causes of Concrete Floor Leaks

Internal leaks are harder to resolve since the source of water damage comes from pipelines and plumbing systems within walls or underneath floors. Additionally, concrete floor leaks only appear once considerable damage has already reached the surface. This is because underground pipes can degrade, corrode, and crack from various causes.

Internal pipeline leaks can come from natural causes like intrusive roots from surrounding trees. While most homes are laden with more durable pipes, older homes’ plumbing systems are more fragile and susceptible to plumbing damage. For this reason, older properties are more at risk of concrete leakages.

Identifying the exact location of underground leaks is vital to fix your leakage problems. After all, you wouldn’t want to break a part of your concrete in the wrong place. For this reason, it’s best to use slab leak detection equipment. You’ll also need tools like jackhammers, sledgehammers, and a mallet to excavate concrete from these leaks.

While a hacksaw and tubing cutter is easy to use on your pipes, handling excavating equipment is a different issue. Keep in mind that using heavy-duty tools will be dangerous without proper training. For this reason, it’s advisable to use manual tools if you don’t have experience with excavating equipment.

Repairing External Causes of Concrete Floor Leaks

Unlike internal concrete floor leaks, external issues are considerably easier to manage. In fact, If your slab leak problems aren’t too severe, you may apply a simple solution. Standard waterproofing of your concrete may be enough to prevent leaks. However, it’s important to check if your walls and slabs have sustained considerable wear and tear over time.

If your walls have deep cracks from structural damage or, you may need to perform repairs to your home’s foundation first. Doing so gives you an overview of your wall’s condition to a fuller extent.

Leaks from external factors may come from damage around your waterlog, which is why it’s necessary to have proper drainage systems. For example, you can implement a French Drainage system from a waterlogged site to a drainage basin. Doing so will siphon excess water around your other walls. This is an effective solution to prevent slab leakage from a wetland, as long as your drainage channel is free from blockages.

Conclusion

Before your plumbing problems get too out of hand, it’s vital to spot any potential signs of leaks and other complications. The sooner you detect these issues, the greater your chance of avoiding major plumbing renovations. If you’re unsure about your plumbing’s condition, it’s best to consult professionals to inspect your property’s different fixtures.

Managing your plumbing concerns is a delicate issue which requires a professional touch. At All City Plumbers, our plumbing experts can make fast and efficient decisions for your unique plumbing situation. If you need professional water leak repair in Birmingham, AL, contact us today. 

How to Keep Hair from Clogging Your Shower Drain

by Youmna Rehman • 29 April 2025
There’s nothing like a relaxing shower to wash away the day—until the water starts pooling around your ankles, and you realize your drain isn’t working the way it should. One of the most common culprits? Hair. Whether it’s long, short, curly, or straight, hair has an uncanny ability to weave itself into your plumbing and cause slow drains, bad smells, or full-on blockages. The good news? You can do a lot to stop hair from becoming a plumbing nightmare. This guide walks you through why hair is such a problem, what it does to your drain over time, and how to tackle it with a mix of smart habits and practical tools. We'll go over causes, risks, step-by-step solutions, and preventive techniques—so you can enjoy your showers without worrying about what’s happening beneath your feet.

Signs You Need Professional Drain Cleaning

29 April 2025
Your home is a system of silent workers—electric wires, insulation, plumbing—all quietly doing their jobs in the background. And like any system, plumbing needs attention when it starts signaling distress. Often, we overlook early drain issues, brushing them off with store-bought cleaners or half-hearted plunges. But ignoring repeated signs can lead to bigger, messier, and far more expensive problems. This guide walks you through the subtle and not-so-subtle signs that it’s time to call in a professional. We'll look at what causes the clogs, how to deal with them step-by-step, and what you can do to prevent drain disasters down the road. Because sometimes, a slow drain is more than just a slow drain—it’s your home warning you.

Why Your Shower Drain Keeps Clogging and How to Stop It

by Youmna Rehman • 29 April 2025
Few things are more frustrating than stepping into a refreshing shower only to find your feet quickly submerged in rising water. A clogged shower drain can turn your relaxing routine into a soggy mess and often seems to happen at the worst possible time. But here’s the truth—most shower drain blockages are completely preventable. The challenge lies in understanding what causes them, how to fix them properly, and, most importantly, how to stop them from happening again.

The Pros and Cons of Chemical Drain Cleaners

by Youmna Rehman • 25 April 2025
Few things disrupt your daily flow like a clogged drain. Whether it’s the kitchen sink filling up with greasy water or a bathroom drain refusing to clear, the temptation to grab a bottle of chemical drain cleaner and pour your problems away is very real. After all, it’s quick, cheap, and readily available. But before you twist the cap and pour, it's worth pausing for a deeper look.

How to Prevent Recurring Clogs in Your Drains

by Youmna Rehman • 25 April 2025
Recurring drain clogs aren’t just annoying—they’re a sign that something deeper might be wrong. In this guide, we’ll take a deep dive into the common culprits behind chronic clogs, walk through practical solutions you can use today, explore the risks of ignoring the issue, and share proven expert strategies to help you prevent clogs from coming back. Let’s unclog the mystery once and for all.

Maintenance Tips for an Expansion Tank

by Youmna Rehman • 25 April 2025
It’s easy to overlook your expansion tank—until something goes wrong. Nestled quietly above or beside your boiler or water heater, it might not seem like the most vital part of your system. But in truth, the expansion tank plays a crucial role in keeping pressure levels safe and your entire heating or plumbing system running smoothly. When it’s neglected, you might end up with problems that range from annoying to downright dangerous.

Benefits of Having an Expansion Tank Installed in Your Home

by Youmna Rehman • 23 April 2025
Plumbing might not be the flashiest part of homeownership, but it sure plays a starring role in your day-to-day comfort. You turn on the tap, flush the toilet, take a hot shower—and it all just works. Or at least, it should. Behind the scenes, however, your water heater is constantly adjusting to temperature changes, and when that pressure builds up, it needs somewhere to go. That’s where an expansion tank comes in. Not the most talked-about upgrade, but absolutely one of the smartest ones you can make. Let’s dive into what expansion tanks do, why they matter, and how they protect your home (and wallet) from some seriously sneaky damage.

FAQS About Plumbing

by Youmna Rehman • 23 April 2025
Let’s face it—plumbing is one of those things we only think about when something goes wrong. And when it does? You’re suddenly drowning (sometimes literally) in questions. From odd gurgling noises to DIY repairs, plumbing mysteries can make even the most confident homeowner feel clueless. This guide answers the top 15 most searched plumbing questions, the kind people are constantly Googling under the “People Also Ask” section. Whether you're a homeowner, renter, or curious mind, these answers will help you stay prepared, avoid expensive mistakes, and know when to call in a pro.

Four Ways to Handle a Broken Sewage Pipe

by Youmna Rehman • 23 April 2025
There’s nothing quite like the panic that hits when you suspect—or worse, know—you’ve got a broken sewage pipe. Whether it’s a slow, foul-smelling leak under the house or a sudden backyard swamp that wasn’t there yesterday, broken sewage lines can escalate from gross inconvenience to full-blown health hazard in no time. The key to avoiding disaster? Acting quickly, smartly, and with a clear understanding of what you’re dealing with.

What You Need to Know About Garbage Disposals

by Youmna Rehman • 23 April 2025
Leftovers pile up, food scraps linger, and the trash bin starts to smell a little too familiar. But there’s one unsung hero in your kitchen that can make cleanup smoother, faster, and more hygienic: the garbage disposal. If you've ever wondered how it works, whether it's worth installing, or how to keep it running like a champ, you’re in the right place.
More posts