Foundation damage is both dangerous to the integrity of your entire home and an expensive problem to repair. This is why water damage and the plumbing issues that cause it are so feared among homeowners; they’re almost invisible at the beginning when they can be easily reversed, but a catastrophe once they’re obvious.
Problems Caused By Water Damage On Your Foundation
The following is a list of the main problems that are caused by plumbing leaks damaging your foundation. There is no foundation material that’s immune to water damage and no type of soil that can resist erosion forever, so while Xpert Foundation Repair is based in Texas, this list is pretty much universal.
A Damaged Foundation Creates More Plumbing Leaks
We have to start with a not-so-obvious problem that’s actually quite common. Plumbing leaks can cause water damage to your foundation, that much is true; however, the unfortunate implication of a water-damaged foundation is that it won’t perform as it’s supposed to, which can cause the house itself to shift and settle in weird ways. All this shifting can mess with the plumbing, causing further leaks in other areas of the home and creating a feedback loop that’s messy and costly to foundation leak repair.
Soil Erosion Beneath Your Home
It’s bad enough when erosion affects the soil surrounding your home in the first place, but it’s another thing entirely once you understand that “surrounding” doesn’t just mean to the sides but also underneath your home. See, the relationship between your home and the soil it sits on is a complex one, and the water coming from a damaged pipe throws a wrench into the whole thing.
The water starts eating away not only at your leaking foundation but the very ground it sits on; in the worst of cases, it can create empty pockets beneath your house and poor weight distribution, potentially causing parts of your house to break apart and sink.
Water Damage And Concrete Spalling
A busted pipe, loose joint, or fitting can make water leak from your plumbing system, wash down into the area below your home, and cause terrifying amounts of damage to your foundation if left unchecked for long enough.
This water not only infiltrates the ground where the leaky foundation itself sits, putting excess pressure on the piles and materials of your foundation; water can infiltrate your foundation itself through capillary cracks and causing what is called “concrete spalling.” Spalling is, essentially, the breakdown of concrete due to chemical reactions or natural weathering, causing it to break down and chip.
Swollen, waterlogged soil putting excess pressure on a weakened foundation marred by concrete spalling is a recipe for disaster. Structural failure is possible under these circumstances, so it’s not unreasonable to treat any and all plumbing issues with great care and urgency. We don’t mean panicking, however! Just that you should be on the lookout for any water dripping from your pipes and call a professional when you need to find or repair any major leaks.
Signs Of An Invisible Leaking Pipe In Your Home
Here are some of the details that can point to an “invisible” leak in your home’s pipe system that should be paid attention to. Even if these telltale signs are not a 100% guarantee of a leak on their own, if you’re experiencing two or more of them, it’s time to act quickly and call an expert!
1. Rising Water Bills
Water bills are something that, on average, will not see a wild fluctuation through the year, especially if you’re not going to make significant changes in your family life. However, if everything else remains the same, yet your water bill starts increasing, that could mean that water is probably leaking beneath your home in most cases.
2. Water Pooling In Your Home Or Basement
Water pools don’t form out of thin air, as you surely know. If you see damp spots and standing water anywhere in your home without an obvious explanation for it, you should immediately look for the leak (or have an expert assess the situation if you can’t find it on your own) to prevent further damage, as some measure of it is probably present already.
3. Unusually Lush Growth In Your Yard
The outside of your home can also tell you about invisible water leaks that could damage your foundation. If you detect a patch of grass that is uncharacteristically green and lush, especially when compared to the surrounding areas of your yard, that can be a sign that some of the water or sewer lines are leaking.
4. Unusual Noises
Sometimes, leaks can be accompanied by mysterious noises that are more noticeable as the water pressure fluctuates around the house and can be heard through your walls or floor. Pay particular attention at night, as a number of factors such as temperature, water pressure, and decreased ambient noise can make the noise louder and easier to detect.
5. Loss Of Water Pressure
On average, loss of water pressure is more indicative of a leak than a blockage in the pipes. If your faucets and showerheads start losing potency for no apparent reason despite being turned on all the way, you might be dealing with a leak.
Fix Foundation Damage from Leaks with Xpert Foundation Repair
In conclusion, plumbing leaks can lead to excess water buildup, causing hydrostatic pressure that cracks basement walls, damages the basement floor, and weakens your home’s foundation. As water seeps in, it compromises the concrete slab and threatens your home’s structural integrity. Tree roots and not having good drainage can worsen these foundation leak issues, making fast action essential. For foundation problems, trust Xpert Foundation Repair to restore stability and protect your foundation with expert solutions—call today for a consultation!
