A slab leak is just one of many problems that can happen with your foundation. Luckily, home insurance may cover damage to your foundation if the slab leak was caused by a covered peril. A slab leak caused by something else, like poor maintenance or wear and tear, usually isn’t covered.
What is a slab leak?
A slab leak is a leak in a pipe that occurs under a concrete, or slab, foundation. Slab foundations often have water lines running beneath or embedded with them. When these pipes leak, the damage can go undetected and cause your foundation to crack. In the worst-case scenario, your foundation may even collapse.
When are slab leaks covered by homeowners insurance?
The key to knowing whether or not your homeowners insurance covers a slab leak is the cause. Home insurance typically helps pay the cost of repairing your foundation when damage is sudden and accidental. That can definitely describe some slab leaks.
However, many home insurance policies also have exclusions – that is, perils that aren’t covered. If an excluded peril causes a slab leak, then your homeowners insurance may deny your claim.
Below is a list of a few perils where the damage a slab leak causes may be covered. However, you’ll be responsible for fixing the actual pipes unless you have service line coverage.
Burst pipes
Burst pipes are typically covered in a basic homeowners insurance policy. If the pipes under your foundation burst unexpectedly and cause a slab leak, then your insurance company likely helps with repair costs.
Explosions
Standard home insurance policies typically include damage from an explosion. If an explosion results in a slab leak, then the damage from the leak should be included as well.
Tornadoes
If a tornado somehow creates a slab leak, then your home insurance probably covers the damage. However, you may want to check with your insurance agent if you live in an area where windstorms are common. Some insurance companies may exclude wind damage in these regions.
Fire
A house fire is one of the most commonly covered perils in homeowners insurance. If a fire causes a slab leak, then your homeowners policy most likely helps you pay for the damage.
Fallen trees
Homeowners policies usually pay for fallen trees when the cause is an act of God, like a storm or a lightning strike. In those situations, your insurance company covers the damage the tree causes. However, if a tree falls because of neglect, then your claim will likely be denied.
When are slab leaks not covered by homeowners insurance?
Slab leaks may not be covered when the cause is something already excluded by your homeowners insurance policy. For most homeowners, that means they’re responsible for paying for damage when slab leaks are caused by:
-
Regular wear or tear.
-
Neglect or poor maintenance.
-
Intentional acts.
-
War.
-
Nuclear hazards.
-
Earth movements like earthquakes, mudslides, and sinkholes.
-
Floods.
Ultimately, the initial cause has to be specifically covered under your policy for you to successfully file a claim. Exclusions can vary by company, so be sure to check your policy or speak to your insurance agent for clarification.
You should also note that even when a slab leak is covered by your homeowners insurance, you may still be responsible for the deductible. If the cost of fixing a slab leak is less than your deductible, then you may be better off not filing a claim to avoid having higher homeowners premiums in the future.
How do you know if your home has a slab leak?
Unfortunately, figuring out if there’s a leak under your concrete foundation isn’t the easiest thing, but there are some warning signs. For example, you may have a slab leak if:
-
You hear the persistent sound of running water.
-
Your water bill has increased for no reason.
-
Your water pressure decreases.
-
You notice other foundation problems, such as cracks on walls or floors.
-
Your house has a strange, musty, or mildewy odor that you can’t identify.
-
Parts of your floor suddenly feel warm.
-
You notice damp areas on your carpet or floor.
-
Your floorboards are warped.
-
Water pools near your home on a dry day.
These aren’t the only signs of slab leaks, and each could indicate you have other issues with your foundation.
What should you do if you suspect a slab leak?
If you’re worried about a slab leak, you want to hire a professional plumber to investigate the issue and locate the source. You may end up paying a fee to have a plumber diagnose the problem.
The cost for slab leak detection is usually between $150 and $400, depending on what kind of equipment the plumber needs to find the issue. But paying that is better than letting a suspected leak cause more damage to your concrete foundation.
How much do slab leak repairs cost?
All in, the cost of repairing a slab leak ranges between $630 and $4,400, according to home repair website Angi. That includes the cost for detecting the leak.
The range for slab repair costs is wide because several factors come into play. The first issue is the cost for repairing the actual leak. Different types of repairs cost different amounts. Plus, you may find you have more than one slab leak, and that makes the cost of getting things fixed go up.
The next factor is the cost of repairing your concrete slab. Your plumber will most likely need to break through your foundation to find and fix the leak, so there’s no getting around this cost. Moreover, a particularly severe leak may even need to have your foundation stabilized for an additional fee.
Finally, slab leaks can also cause water damage to your subfloor and insulation. When it does, you’ll need to add in the cost of repairing these items and possibly mold remediation.
