Slab leak repairs are some of the most expensive plumbing repairs, and as a homeowner, you may want to know some of the ways you can save money while getting the best results. Plumbers may also want to know what options they can give their clients to reduce plumbing costs without compromising the quality of the repairs. Here are four things your plumber should do when repairing your sewer line.

Sewer Test and Isolation

Some plumbers may only use cameras to test for leaks under your slab. However, while cameras may be able to spot breaks in the sewer line, they cannot detect small leaks such as those caused by cracks in the fitting. So you want to see your plumber perform a sewer water test followed by isolation tests to determine the size of the leak under your slab and exactly where it is. This way, you will not have to replace your entire plumbing system but only the leaking section.

Use the Best Materials

Replacing the leaking pipes with the same materials is not always a good idea. For example, if you have cast iron pipes, your plumber should replace them with PVC pipes — they are more durable. Also, if the walls of cast iron pipes used look thin, your plumber may recommend replacing more than just the leaking pipe, saving you costly repairs in the future. In addition to the pipes, the rods and hangers used to support the pipes during repair should also be of high quality. Usually, stainless steel is used.

Double Test the System After the Repairs

A plumber should always make sure their job is perfectly done, and the sewer line is working as it should before they leave. The only way to know this is by performing the initial test to confirm that the system can now hold water. They can even leave the test on as the tunnel is backfilled to confirm everything is still holding.

Bring in City Inspectors to Test the System

This step is very important to both plumbers and homeowners. If you’re a plumber, having the system inspected absolves you of any blame in the future. Inspection confirms that you did everything right and by the book. Also, if you’re tunneling under the house to repair a sewer or water leak, it’s wise to have an engineering company test and report that the tunnel would not cause any problems to the house. Homeowners, on the other hand, have peace of mind knowing that the plumber did a great job and they will not have any problems with the repairs made.

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Leak detection is a science in its own right, and you need the right equipment to find underground water leaks. If you’re a homeowner or an industry professional looking for the best leak detection systems out there, we have what you need. For more than 40 years, top plumbers have relied on and trusted  LeakPro® detection equipment as the best in the industry. Contact us to learn more. You can also find great leak detection instructional videos on Roger’s YouTube.