A slab leak is a leak in a water line that runs under or through your home’s concrete foundation. Most Ocala homes are built on slabs, so slab leaks are a common source of hidden water damage. The water can spread under tile, wood and carpet before anyone notices.
If you suspect a slab leak in Ocala, FL, call 24/7. A plumber handles the pipe; our team handles the water that already escaped.
Call (352) 555-0147Signs of a slab leak
- A water meter that moves when every fixture is off
- Warm or hot spots on tile or wood floors
- Damp carpet or carpet pad with no visible source
- Cracked tile or wood flooring that cups or lifts
- The sound of running water when nothing is on
- A water heater that seems to run all the time
Why slab leaks happen
Copper lines under a slab can wear thin over the years from water chemistry and from rubbing against concrete or gravel as they expand and contract with hot water. Joints and fittings installed during construction can also fail.
Marion County sits on sandy soil over limestone, and ground movement, settling and nearby sinkhole activity can put stress on buried lines. Hot-water lines tend to fail first because of constant expansion.
Slab leak water damage cleanup
- Leak location and repair by a licensed plumber, often by rerouting the line.
- Moisture mapping across floors and the bottom of walls.
- Water extraction from carpet and hard floors.
- Removal of wet pad, baseboards or flooring that cannot be dried in place.
- Drying of floors, walls and the slab surface with specialty equipment.
- Flooring repair and documentation for insurance.
Ask the crew to explain what needs to be removed and why, and get the scope and price in writing before work starts.
What to do right now
- Shut off the main water valve if the meter keeps moving.
- If a hot-water line is suspected, turn off the water heater.
- Move furniture and rugs off damp floors.
- Photograph the meter, floors and stains.
- Call a plumber for leak detection.
- Call us for the water damage.
For a full checklist, read what to do after water damage.
Tile, wood and carpet after a slab leak
Carpet over a slab leak can often be dried if the water was clean and found early. Laminate and engineered wood usually swell and need replacing. Tile itself is waterproof, but water trapped under it and in the grout can keep the area damp, so readings matter more than appearance.
Slab Leak Water Damage across Ocala and Marion County
We cover every Ocala ZIP code from 34470 to 34482, including Downtown Ocala, the Historic District, Paddock Park, the SR 200 corridor and On Top of the World, plus nearby Silver Springs, Silver Springs Shores, Belleview, Marion Oaks, Summerfield, Dunnellon, Reddick and Anthony.
Related water damage services
Not sure what caused the damage? See all water damage services, read the FAQ or learn about insurance claims.