Signs of a Slab Leak in a Cape Coral Home
- A warm spot on the tile floor. A leaking hot water line heats the slab above it.
- The water heater runs constantly even when no one is using hot water.
- Damp or darkening grout lines in one area that never dry out.
- The water bill suddenly jumps while your water use has not changed.
- The meter moves with everything off. Turn off every faucet and appliance, then watch the small leak indicator on your water meter. If it spins, water is going somewhere.
- Baseboards swelling or a musty smell along one wall.
- The sound of running water under the floor when the house is quiet.
Why Slab Leaks Happen Here
Many Cape Coral homes, especially older ones, have water lines running through or under the concrete slab. Over the years, pipes can wear where they rub against concrete, corrode from the outside in damp soil, or crack as the ground shifts. Southwest Florida's sandy soil and high water table add moisture and movement under the slab. The leak can run for weeks before water finally appears at the surface.
Who Does What With a Slab Leak
| Job | Who handles it |
|---|---|
| Locating the leak under the slab | Leak detection company or plumber, using acoustic and thermal tools |
| Repairing the pipe, or rerouting the line through the walls or attic | Plumber |
| Removing water and drying slab, tile, baseboards and walls | Us |
| Photos and moisture readings for the claim | Us |
| Patching the concrete and replacing tile | A contractor, once everything reads dry |
Rerouting the line overhead instead of breaking up the floor is common in Florida homes. Ask your plumber which option fits your home.
How We Dry Slab Leak Damage
- Map the wet area with moisture meters and a thermal camera, often much larger than where the water showed up.
- Remove water from the surface and from under baseboards and cabinets.
- Pull baseboards and toe kicks so walls and cabinet bases can dry.
- Dry the slab and tile with dehumidifiers and air movers, keeping the house closed. Concrete releases water slowly, so slabs often take longer than the 3 to 5 days most rooms need.
- Take readings every day until the slab and walls match a dry reference. See structural drying.
- Hand off the floor repair once the concrete is dry and the plumber's work is done.
Tile often stays in place if it is still bonded. For how we decide, see water under tile floors.
Does Insurance Cover Slab Leaks in Florida?
Policies vary, but a common pattern is: the water damage from a sudden slab leak may be covered, the cost of breaking into the floor to reach the pipe (often called tear out) is sometimes covered, and the pipe repair itself usually is not. Leaks that ran for a long time can be excluded. Report it promptly and keep the leak detection report. See slab leak claim records. This is general information, not insurance advice.
Slab Leak Questions
Is a warm spot on my tile floor a slab leak?
Often, yes. A warm spot usually means a hot water line is leaking under the slab. Shut off the water heater, check your water meter and call a leak detection company, then call (239) 356-5803 for the water damage.
My water bill went up suddenly and the floor is wet. What now?
Turn off the main water valve, photograph the wet area and call a plumber or leak detection company. Call us to start drying so the damage does not spread.
Can a slab leak cause mold?
Yes. Water trapped under tile, baseboards and carpet stays hidden and wet, which is ideal for mold. Drying the area and confirming it with readings is what prevents it.
Do you find the leak?
Leak detection companies and plumbers locate and repair the pipe. We find how far the water spread, dry it and document it, and we can coordinate with your plumber.
How long does a slab take to dry?
Usually longer than walls: often several days to a week or more, depending on how long the leak ran. Daily readings tell us when it is done.
Think You Have a Slab Leak?
Shut off the main water and call (239) 356-5803. We answer 24/7 for slab leak water damage across Cape Coral, plus North Fort Myers and Fort Myers. A slab leak is a hidden kind of pipe failure; for leaks you can see, read about cleanup after a broken supply line or pipe.