I have a 50 year old Eichler style hoime built on a concrete slab. All the plumbing is run under the slab, embedded in gravel immediately below the slab. Recently we had a hot water line leak under the slab and had to have it repaired (dig through the slab, repair the leaky copper tube, replace the concrete).
My question is – how likely are we to have further leaks like this one? One of the plumbers we called thought the probability is high, the one who did the repairs and the tile man who replaced the floor tile both thought it was remote. I know it is difficult to predict that but can anyne offer a guess? We are seriously considering selling the house before the next disaster strikes
Thank you
Replies
ill go out on a limb
your probablly have a 50% chance that it may or may not happen again.
where did the leak happen? was it a clear section of pipe? at a joint/ fitting?
i would listen to the people who did the repair as they are mostly likey familiar with the area and the fequency of the repairs like yours.
You have two possibilities:
The leak occurred at a weak spot in the plumbing, either a ding the pipe received while burying it, or a manufacturing defect in the pipe. The odds of a recurrence anytime soon are slim.
The leak occurred due to stress on the pipe, caused by motion between the slab and the gravel. If this was the cause then the location of the leak would be a big clue.
The leak occurred due to corrosive action (most likely adicic water) that is ongoing everywhere. In another year the plumbing will work as a lawn sprinkler.
#2 depends in large part on the sort of water being supplied -- some parts of Florida are notorious for this. But if #2 were the cause (and the source of your water has not changed recently) one would have expected it to have caused problems 30 years ago.
Steel Pipe?
When I bought my 1957 house, I was surprised to find that simply having "metal" pipe disqualified my house from a better insurance policy. Digging deeper, I found this was (mainly) aimed at galvanized steel piping.
These days, underground piping is almost always some form of plastic. A few years back, coated steel pipe was readily available. Earlier yet, simple steel or galvanized pipe was often used.
Even today, steel gas pipe run in contact with the earth is required to either be coated, or at least be wrapped in "pipe wrap" tape (11 mil thick PVC tape).
With that in mind, I'm going to guess that your pipe is steel. In that case, it's only a question of time before it all rusts through.
No need to panic. First, you need to figure out just what pipes are in the ground. Chances are, there's only one or two.
Now is the time to plan your repairs. Find ways to replace / re-route any underground lines. AND - find a better contractor .... maybe use a general, and let him find the plumber. The general will probably be better prepared to cut concrete, trench, etc. You might want to consider replacing all the pipe from the meter to the house - and there's no requirement that you follow the same path.
What shape is the drive in? Perhaps it needs replacing as well. If so, consider having "chases" installed under the new drive for running the pipes. This way, the pipes can be more easily replaced the next time around.
Reno, I don't think you read the origional question very carefully.
Do you have the replaced section of pipe ?
Post a photo of the insides of that section and the outside and I'll give you a prediction.
Without that, it is a guess.
As others have said, what type pipe, which water district (they all will provide their mineral and chemical content if municipal), etc.
Otherwise, blind leading the blind.
PS: I put hand over eyes so am blind for a moment. Since your plumber and repair person only gave an opinion without an analysis, my blind prediction is that you will have another leak starting on or about March 26th, 2016. If you are a Scorpio, the leak will only become visible on April 2, after you wife tells you there is a leak on the first and you call her april fool.
Further prediction: When the 'repair' person is called back for the 2nd leak, quote "I'm really surprised", then presents a bid for full replacement with PEX, the new wonder pipe - and that person wil use sharkbites to assure a callback for his successor.
Never had heard of th;em ther eichler houses, so looked
typical comment found:
paraphrase: expect 1-5 leaks after 40 years in Eichler houses
I think you'd be wise to assume there will be more leaks, sooner than later and more of them. Copper and concrete are not friends, especially of copper tubing which you mentioned you have. I'd be repiping throughthe attic.