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Slab Leak Case Study
- Client Location: Duluth, GA
- The Problem: Water pooling in the garage of a 2005 home, near a nearly 21-year-old water heater. The real source was a pressurized copper line leaking under the concrete slab.
- The Solution: Journeyman Plumber James Gibson sleeved a new PEX line through the broken copper pipe, so no concrete, flooring, or cabinets had to be cut. He also replaced the aging 50-gallon gas water heater.
- Key Result: The full job, including the new water heater, came to about $7,000 instead of $12,000+, saving the homeowner over $5,000 with no water damage to the home.
The Challenge: Water Pooling in the Garage
A homeowner in Duluth called True Plumbing, Heating & Cooling after finding water pooling on his garage floor near the water heater. The water heater was nearly 21 years old, the original unit in his 2005 home, so it looked like the obvious culprit.
Most homeowners in this spot expect a simple water heater swap. But water on the floor near a water heater doesn't always come from the water heater.
The Diagnosis: A Hidden Slab Leak
Journeyman Plumber James Gibson (License JP508067) inspected the water heater and confirmed it was not leaking. On a closer look, he saw water seeping up from underneath the concrete slab.
James ran a pressure test on the home's water lines and isolated the problem: the pressurized copper line running from the water heater to the kitchen island sink was leaking beneath the slab.
The Strategy: Repair the Line without Breaking the Slab
In many slab leak cases, the only way to reach the broken pipe is to cut through the concrete. Here, that would have meant tearing out flooring and removing part of the kitchen island cabinetry, then rebuilding all of it.
Instead of jumping straight to demolition, James ran additional tests to see whether a less invasive repair would work. He confirmed he could sleeve a new PEX line through the broken copper pipe, replacing the leaking run without cutting a single tile or cabinet.
While on site, James also replaced the 50-gallon gas water heater. At nearly 21 years old, it was well past its expected lifespan and on borrowed time, and replacing it now saved the homeowner a second service call.
The Results: Over $5,000 Saved and No Water Damage
| TRADITIONAL SLAB LEAK REPAIR | THE TRUE APPROACH | |
|---|---|---|
| Access method | ✕ Cut through the concrete slab | ✓ Sleeved new PEX through the existing copper line |
| Flooring & cabinetry | ✕ Removed and rebuilt | ✓ Untouched |
| Water heater | ✕ Replaced | ✓ Replaced (50-gallon gas) |
| Total cost | ✕ $12,000+ | ✓ About $7,000 |
No concrete cutting, no torn-up kitchen, and no water damage.
The leak was caught early, so the home had no water damage. The homeowner got a permanent repair, a new water heater, and kept his kitchen intact.
Nobody wants to hear the words slab leak. Before we cut into anyone’s floor, we test every option. On this job, sleeving a new line through the old one solved the problem and kept the kitchen in one piece.
Seeing Water Where It Shouldn't Be?
Water on the garage floor, warm spots on the floor, or a jump in your water bill can all point to a slab leak.
Call True Plumbing, Heating & Cooling at 404-585-8990 for an honest diagnosis on your plumbing service and the simplest repair that solves the problem for good.
Or contact us online with any addtional questions.