Slab leak — at a glance
- What it is: a leak in a water line running in or under the concrete slab.
- Common signs: a warm spot on the floor, a water bill that jumped, the sound of running water when nothing is on, damp carpet or lifting flooring with no visible source.
- First step: check your water meter (below). If it’s moving with everything off, you have a leak somewhere.
- Two jobs: a plumber fixes the pipe; a restoration company dries and repairs the damage. Vault: (385) 250-2825.
Signs of a slab leak
- Warm or hot spots on the floor — a hot-water line leaking under the slab heats the concrete above it.
- Unexplained jump in the water bill.
- Sound of running water with every fixture off.
- Damp or wet carpet, swelling wood or laminate with no plumbing nearby.
- Musty smell near the floor. See musty smell in your house.
- Water heater running constantly (hot-side leak).
- Low water pressure at fixtures.
- New cracks in flooring or the slab — usually alongside other signs.
Check your water meter
- Turn off every faucet, appliance, and irrigation system in and around the house.
- Find your water meter (usually in a box near the street) and note the reading or watch the small leak indicator dial.
- Wait 1-2 hours without using any water and check again.
- If the reading changed, water is leaking somewhere. A plumber with leak-detection equipment can find where.
Know where your shut-off is before you need it: main water shut-off guide.
Who does what
Plumber
Locates the leak (acoustic and thermal leak detection) and repairs it — either by opening the slab at the leak, rerouting the line through walls or the attic, or relining it.
Restoration company
Dries and repairs the water damage: wet flooring, carpet pad, drywall, baseboards, cabinets, and mold if it started. Vault coordinates with your plumber so drying starts as soon as the leak is stopped.
Typical Utah restoration cost
| Scope | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Drying one room after a slab leak, flooring saved | $1,500-$3,500 |
| Flooring removal + drying + replacement, one room | $3,500-$8,000 |
| Multiple rooms or mold involved | $6,000-$15,000+ |
The plumbing repair itself is a separate cost from your plumber.
Insurance
Many Utah homeowner’s policies cover sudden water damage from a slab leak, and some cover the cost of accessing the pipe (“tear out”). The pipe repair itself often isn’t covered. Coverage varies a lot here — read your policy and see questions to ask your adjuster.
Think you have a slab leak?
Call (385) 250-2825. We’ll document and dry the damage and work alongside your plumber.
Water damage services · Hidden water damage signs · Hardwood floor water damage · Insurance claims
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Our Provo water damage restoration crew is an IICRC Certified Firm that bills your insurer directly. Call (385) 250-2825.
How we find hidden water: moisture detection.