How Much Does Slab Leak Repair Cost?

Slab leaks are a relatively common phenomenon, given that the slabs cover your water and sewer lines. However, the fact that it’s common does not exempt it from being a situation that needs fixing. It can be frustrating to get a slab leak repaired, since this is not something you should do on your own. So, how much exactly does a slab leak repair cost?

It costs an average of $2,280 to repair a slab leak, and the inspection costs $277. Minor slab leaks cost $800 to repair, and major leaks can cost an average of $5,000 to repair. Additional costs include rerouting your plumbing which costs another $850 depending on the severity if it’s necessary.

In this article, we will explain all you need to know about the cost of your slab leak repair. We will also explain each of the cost factors in-depth, so you know what to expect. This will help ease the anxiety of not knowing exactly what it’s going to cost, and so you know how much to have set aside before calling for a professional.

If the pipes under your slab have rotted, you will need to have your plumbing rerouted. Unless you have a background in plumbing, this is not a DIY project. Any mistakes can put you and your loved ones in danger.

The cost to reroute your plumbing for small pipes costs between $200 and $500. However, if the larger pipes are the ones that need to be rerouted, then that will cost around $1,250 to $1,500.

Rerouting can be expensive, although it’s necessary to prevent further damage to your home and your land. If you do not fix the issue now, the damages can end up costing you over $30,000. Not to mention, it will cost you your home as well.

This circumstance is a bit trickier. The price that you will pay to fix a broken water line will dramatically vary.

For an average water main repair, it will cost around $840. Although, when it comes to water mains, this pricing quote is not a one-size-fits-all.

Again depending on the severity of the issue, it will cost between $150 to $3,000. However, most individuals will find themselves paying between $345 and $1,400.

How much you will pay depends on the amount of damage. Some of the lines may need to be repaired, while other areas may just need resealing.

Finally, you have the cost of repairing the slab. Since your foundation is an essential part of your home, you must have this fixed.

If the professional gets in there and decides that you need your entire foundation replaced, that will cost between $3,500 and $7,000.

Since plumbers have to break your foundation to get to the leak, you will have to pay for that repair. Usually, it will cost between $1,900 to $4,000. However, you should note that this cost can be as high as $7,000 in extreme cases.

It is important to note that these estimates do not include the cost of repairing pipes or rerouting. Now, if the crack is tiny and it doesn’t affect the structure of your home, it will cost between $200 and $900.

As you can see in the table above, even the most extreme repair will be cheaper than repairing the damage to your home. Over time, your foundation will no longer be stable. Once the water rises, it will start to flood your house and threaten the stability of your home.

Instead of paying $20,000 to $35,000 because you were worried about spending $13,000– pay the $13,000! Your under-slab repair costs most likely won’t be that much. On average, you’re looking at $5,000 to $7,000 in total.

This is very important. Usually, as DIY advocates, we would typically explain how you can do a project on your own. However, considering this job includes breaking into your home’s foundation, it is not as safe to do on your own.

Now, if you’re an experienced plumber, or have the proper training, then, by all means, do it!

But, because this requires specialized equipment and the necessary knowledge, it is not ideal to do this on your own. There are some things, however, that you can do, such as looking for signs of a slab leak.

If you don’t get the slab leak repaired, a small issue will eventually turn into a large one. While it might seem daunting to have to pay over $2,000 to fix a slab leak, if you don’t fix it, you’ll find yourself paying over $20,000. You will sustain water damage, and eventually, your home may be deemed ‘unlivable’. Furthermore, you may be responsible for the costs to fix, as well as the costs to find another house to live in while it’s being fixed.

Something else you could do is sell the home as-is and hope someone has the money to buy it and fix it while you buy a new one. So yes, $2,000 is a lot of money, however, $20,000 to over $100,000 is a lot more.

The first course of action is going to be you saying, “Yes. I need to fix this.” While the damage may not be visible to you or anyone else, it will be when it is too late. Remember, the longer you wait to repair your slab leak, the more expensive it is going to cost. Do not risk your home, or in extreme circumstances, your life. We cannot stress enough how important it is to take immediate action.

Be sure to research companies and their prices. Sometimes, they will offer discounts if the job that needs to be done is tremendous or complicated. Your home should be a safe space! Never take this project on yourself, as slab leaks are serious and need to be corrected the right way.