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 Hot water leak under slab
#9015670
03/06/24 02:57 PM
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,487
freerange
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
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OP
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,487 |
Im no plumber at all but almost certain I have a hot water leak under my slab at house. Both my electric(electric water heater) bill and water bill have shot up real high. Meter turns constant until I turn off water to water heater.
First, does that sound like a good diagnosis?
Second, whats the fix?
Im being told to rerun the hot water lines up above instead of detecting the leak and busting up slab to repair.
Plumbers so busy and Im out of town a bunch coming up so wondering about short term. Can I just turn off the valve coming out of heater until needed or at least while im outa town?
Last edited by freerange; 03/06/24 02:58 PM.
At some point in life its time to quit chasing the pot of gold and just enjoy the rainbow. FR
Keep your gratitude higher than your expectations. RWH
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Re: Hot water leak under slab
[Re: freerange]
#9015714
03/06/24 04:28 PM
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 16,797
68rustbucket
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 16,797 |
Went through this last year. Found a local leak detector, got leak pinpointed and hired plumber to run pex from manifold to sink through attic. Leaking pipe removed from manifold and abandoned. Cost was less than homeowners policy deductible, even after Sheetrock repair and painting work.
Longest wait was for sheetrock- painter to fit me in.
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Re: Hot water leak under slab
[Re: freerange]
#9015733
03/06/24 04:55 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 19,256
Judd
#1 Creedmoor Fan
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#1 Creedmoor Fan
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 19,256 |
I wouldn't just turn the valve off because if you have a leak the water heater will eventually go dry and you'll have it running and potentially ruining the heater...so turn it and the valve off while you're gone.
As far as running water up...I'm not a fan of water being above because attics are normally colder and they will be prone to freezing + not sure if you've seen a busted pipe from above, it ain't pretty and drywall actually rains down on stuff. Only thing worse is a suspended ceiling.
Saying that, lot of folks do it and hard to get around it with a 2 story house. I would insulate it really well, if possible. Good luck, plumbing stuff SUCKS!!!!
Don't let your ears hear what your eyes didn't see, and don't let your mouth say what your heart doesn't feel
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Re: Hot water leak under slab
[Re: Judd]
#9015740
03/06/24 05:01 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,057
ChrisB
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,057 |
I wouldn't just turn the valve off because if you have a leak the water heater will eventually go dry and you'll have it running and potentially ruining the heater...so turn it and the valve off while you're gone.
As far as running water up...I'm not a fan of water being above because attics are normally colder and they will be prone to freezing + not sure if you've seen a busted pipe from above, it ain't pretty and drywall actually rains down on stuff. Only thing worse is a suspended ceiling.
Saying that, lot of folks do it and hard to get around it with a 2 story house. I would insulate it really well, if possible. Good luck, plumbing stuff SUCKS!!!! The water heater won’t run dry when you turn the valve off. And every new house has the water lines above the slab now so it’s perfectly fine.
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Re: Hot water leak under slab
[Re: freerange]
#9015741
03/06/24 05:01 PM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 10,853
DannyB
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 10,853 |
Pex in the attic is one way. I'm aware of two different repairs where a plumber was able to snake pex inside existing copper because there were no elbows. Neither of those repairs created a reduced flow issue. I don't remember if those two went to showers or only to sinks.
I have heard of a few repairs in the attic where they didn't insulate the pipe. Pex will still freeze without bursting, but you have to wait until a thaw to have that water source again. Be sure to insulate it, and then hope it doesn't freeze.
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Re: Hot water leak under slab
[Re: freerange]
#9015776
03/06/24 06:31 PM
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,782
nak
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,782 |
Pex already had a better longevity record that copper and steel pipe. It's more forgiving about freezing (you can still have problems with fittings).
I would have zero concerns with in-attic Pex replacement.
They can drill a hole in the top plate and fish in through to most fixtures. That beats jackhammering the slap.
We all need to practice Whoa more.
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Re: Hot water leak under slab
[Re: freerange]
#9015777
03/06/24 06:36 PM
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 5,834
Lazyjack
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 5,834 |
If I was leaving for more than 24 hours, I would close inlet valve and disconnect power.
If the 2nd amendment was written just to include guns for hunting, why is there not an amendment to protect fishing poles?
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Re: Hot water leak under slab
[Re: freerange]
#9015806
03/06/24 07:56 PM
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,409
Derek
Fert Squirter
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Fert Squirter
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,409 |
Neighbor just did this. Had a hot water slab leak. Ended up going through the attic. Plumber was $1500 and he found some guy to fix the sheet rock and paint for $250.
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Re: Hot water leak under slab
[Re: freerange]
#9015838
03/06/24 08:59 PM
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,690
BOLT GUY
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,690 |
I went through this last winter. I had a noticeably warmer spot in the kitchen floor where the leak was. We tunneled under the house vs going through the slab.
Ended up having 4 different leaks, hot and cold, by the time it was completely fixed.
Pex Was recommended by another plumber, but I didn't want to have to deal with squirrels and rats, which were a possibility.
Unhook the power to your water heater before shutting off water to it.
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Re: Hot water leak under slab
[Re: freerange]
#9015855
03/06/24 09:25 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,089
batman
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,089 |
Another thought about going to pex in the attic. The leak could be a sign of deteriorating cooper and more leaks may develop
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Re: Hot water leak under slab
[Re: freerange]
#9015888
03/06/24 10:29 PM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 32,509
kmon11
junior
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junior
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 32,509 |
had one leak under slab between kitchen sink and washing machine. Pex through the existing line though it did reduce water flow, no big deal just takes longer to fill. Now have another one under slab. Getting bids to run pex through attic, 2 leaks under slab in one year not a pattern I want any more of. Should be able to have all connectors in walls and sheetrock is not that hard to patch and deal with for connections.
lf the saying "Liar, Liar your pants on fire" were true
Mainstream news might be fun to watch
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Re: Hot water leak under slab
[Re: freerange]
#9015900
03/06/24 10:50 PM
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,487
freerange
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
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OP
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,487 |
Thanks a lot for the comments guys. It helps a lot.
Im still waiting to talk to plumbers and its tough setting anything up with my schedule. It does sound like I have at least identified the issue.
I was told just to locate the leak would cost $400. Im not sure that is needed if Im going through the ceiling. It might help to know where leak was so that I did not have to rerun ALL the lines but depending on costs it may be smart to rerun all before I have further leaks in future. Several sources have said going above is how all new houses are being done so that gives me some comfort this is the way to go.
In the mean time Im still not 100% sure how to cut it off temporarily. Some have said cut off coming in and others the hot going out. To me it makes sense on the going out since it could keep leaking if not. Or just cut both off. Also not sure if I should just unplug it if I turn off water.
Im still open for more comments.
At some point in life its time to quit chasing the pot of gold and just enjoy the rainbow. FR
Keep your gratitude higher than your expectations. RWH
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Re: Hot water leak under slab
[Re: freerange]
#9016019
03/07/24 01:43 AM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 10,853
DannyB
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 10,853 |
Just about all new homes now do have pex in the attic. Almost all of them have spray foamed attics as well---nowhere close to freezing in the winter. Remember the insulation wrap.
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Re: Hot water leak under slab
[Re: freerange]
#9016062
03/07/24 03:14 AM
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 8,375
LoneStarSon
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 8,375 |
Had it happen in January this year. Repiped the house using Pex. They ran it from the garage through the attic and to the needed faucets. It took them about 8 hours total...and I had to repair the sheetrock/drywall/texture. It's done, though.
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Re: Hot water leak under slab
[Re: freerange]
#9016063
03/07/24 03:16 AM
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 8,375
LoneStarSon
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 8,375 |
Thanks a lot for the comments guys. It helps a lot.
Im still waiting to talk to plumbers and its tough setting anything up with my schedule. It does sound like I have at least identified the issue.
I was told just to locate the leak would cost $400. Im not sure that is needed if Im going through the ceiling. It might help to know where leak was so that I did not have to rerun ALL the lines but depending on costs it may be smart to rerun all before I have further leaks in future. Several sources have said going above is how all new houses are being done so that gives me some comfort this is the way to go.
In the mean time Im still not 100% sure how to cut it off temporarily. Some have said cut off coming in and others the hot going out. To me it makes sense on the going out since it could keep leaking if not. Or just cut both off. Also not sure if I should just unplug it if I turn off water.
Im still open for more comments. You will need to cut off the water coming from the heater. If you turn off water to the heater, then you need to make dang certain to turn off the electricity to the heater. If you drain the heater and you haven't turned off the electricity you'll have the elements blow through the side of the tank.
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Re: Hot water leak under slab
[Re: freerange]
#9016090
03/07/24 04:11 AM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 898
TKM
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 898 |
Went through this 4 years ago day before i was to head out on a 9 day hunt. Hot water leak under slab, under the kitchen cabinets. $12k to remove cabinets, jackhammer slab, repair and replace everything.
$1100 to run pex up through the attic and down to sink. Insulated, never had an issue with it.
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Re: Hot water leak under slab
[Re: freerange]
#9016095
03/07/24 04:19 AM
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Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 23,177
Bee'z
The Beedazzler
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The Beedazzler
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 23,177 |
Dealt with this right after the big freeze. Went through the attic. Shut the water heater off and pay man what he asks.
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Re: Hot water leak under slab
[Re: freerange]
#9016183
03/07/24 01:33 PM
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Joined: May 2019
Posts: 963
Ben Kabisch
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 963 |
We had same issue a couple years ago and ran pex through the attic. Only way to go as far as i'm concerned after looking at cost of busting up concrete then rebuilding that portion
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Re: Hot water leak under slab
[Re: freerange]
#9016498
03/08/24 01:01 AM
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,487
freerange
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
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OP
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,487 |
Thanks again guys. Seems almost everyone likes pex in the attic. Appreciate the costs figures. Lonestar, thanks for the specifics on cutting off water for the short term.
Now if I can just align my schedule with the plumbers....
At some point in life its time to quit chasing the pot of gold and just enjoy the rainbow. FR
Keep your gratitude higher than your expectations. RWH
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