Signs of a slab leak
A warm spot on the floor
A hot water line leaking under the slab can heat the tile or flooring above it. You may feel it barefoot before you see anything.
Running water with everything off
A faint hiss or trickle you can hear in a quiet house, especially near a wall or in a closet.
A water bill that jumps
Especially when your usage hasn't changed. A meter test confirms it.
Damp carpet, lifting flooring or new cracks
Water has to go somewhere. Wood and laminate floors often show it first.
The water heater runs constantly
A hot-side leak keeps the heater refilling and reheating.
Why slab leaks happen here
Hard water is part of it. Minerals and the constant flow inside copper lines can wear pinholes over time, and many older Henderson neighborhoods were built with copper under the slab. Soil movement and the caliche layer common in the valley can add stress where pipes pass through the concrete.
Newer homes aren't immune either. Many are built on post-tension slabs, with steel cables under tension inside the concrete. That doesn't make a leak more likely, but it does change how a repair has to be done.
Spot repair or reroute?
| Spot repair | Reroute | |
|---|---|---|
| What happens | Open the floor at the leak and repair that section of pipe | Abandon the line under the slab and run a new one through the walls or attic |
| Good when | One leak in otherwise sound pipe | The pipe has leaked before, or a second leak is likely |
| Floor disruption | Concrete and flooring opened in one spot | Little or no floor opened; some drywall work instead |
| On post-tension slabs | The cables must be located before any cutting | Often the simpler choice |
Request a quote
Tell us what's going on and a plumber will call you back.
How a slab leak gets found
- Confirm there's a leak with a meter test and by isolating hot and cold.
- Pinpoint it with acoustic listening equipment and pressure testing, so the floor gets opened in the right place.
- Explain the options, with spot repair and reroute priced side by side.
- Repair, retest and leave the area ready for the flooring to be put back.
Henderson neighborhoods we cover
Green Valley
Established homes, many with original copper under the slab.
Anthem & Sun City Anthem
Hillside lots and post-tension slabs.
Seven Hills & MacDonald Ranch
Larger homes with long hot water runs.
Inspirada & Cadence
Newer construction with fixture and valve issues as homes settle in.
Whitney Ranch & Old Henderson
Older plumbing that is due for a closer look.
Common questions
Is a slab leak an emergency?
If water is pooling, flooring is lifting or the bill is climbing fast, treat it as urgent. Shut off the main if you can't isolate the leak, and call.
Do you have to jackhammer my floor?
Only if a spot repair is the right choice, and then only in the exact location the equipment points to. A reroute often avoids opening the floor at all.
What's special about post-tension slabs?
They contain steel cables under high tension. Cutting one is dangerous and expensive, so the cables are located before anyone cuts concrete.
Will homeowners insurance pay for this?
Policies differ. Many cover access and resulting damage but not the pipe itself. A written finding from the plumber helps with the claim.