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Slab Leak Detection and Repair in Greenacres, FL
A slab leak is a leak in a water or drain line running under or through your home’s concrete foundation. In Greenacres, where most homes are built slab on grade and much of the housing went up in the 1970s and 1980s, it is one of the most common hidden leaks we find, and one of the most expensive to ignore.
Star Florida Leak Detection locates slab leaks without guessing: we confirm the leak at the meter, isolate the branch, pinpoint it with acoustic and thermal equipment, and mark the exact spot before anyone talks about breaking concrete. Then we lay out your repair options in writing.
Tell us what you are seeing and we will quote the detection price on the phone, before anyone comes out.
- Licensed Florida plumbing contractor
- Local office in Greenacres
- Written, dated leak report
- Members of PHCC and the South East Apartment Association
What Is a Slab Leak?
A slab leak is any leak in the plumbing that runs beneath or inside a concrete slab foundation. It can happen on the pressurized side (the copper or plastic lines that bring hot and cold water to your fixtures) or on the drain side (the pipes that carry water away).
The two behave very differently, and that difference decides how we find them. A pressurized slab leak runs all day, every day, because the line is always full of water at street pressure. It moves your water meter even when every faucet is off, and it drives your bill up month after month. A drain side slab leak only leaks when water is going down the drain: when someone showers, runs the dishwasher or does a load of laundry. It will not move your meter at all, which is exactly why so many people are told they have no leak when they clearly do.
Most Greenacres homes were built slab on grade, meaning the concrete floor sits directly on the ground with no crawl space underneath. The water lines were laid in the sand before the concrete was poured, so when one of them fails decades later, there is no way to see it. You only see what it does: a warm tile, a stain at a baseboard, a meter that will not stop spinning, or a bill that makes no sense.
Signs of a Slab Leak in Your Greenacres Home
Slab leaks rarely announce themselves with a puddle. In our sandy ground, water from a broken line often drains away or travels along the pipe, so the signs tend to be indirect. Here is what to watch for.
A warm spot on the floor
A hot water line leaking under the slab heats the concrete above it. Bare feet on tile often notice it before anything else. It is one of the clearest slab leak signs there is.
A meter that moves with everything off
Turn off every fixture, ice maker and sprinkler, then watch the leak indicator on your meter. If it moves, water is leaving the pipes somewhere, and a slab line is a leading suspect.
A water bill that keeps climbing
A small pressurized leak runs 24 hours a day. Even a modest one shows up over a full billing cycle, and it rarely gets smaller on its own.
Running water or hissing when the house is quiet
Late at night, with no appliances running, a pressurized leak can sound like faint running water or a hiss near a wall or in the middle of a room.
Damp, lifting or cracked flooring
Wet carpet pad, grout that stays dark, tile that sounds hollow or starts to lift, and wood or laminate that cups are all signs of moisture coming up from below.
A musty smell or new mold
Moisture trapped under flooring and behind baseboards feeds mold. A musty smell in one room, especially near an interior wall, is worth a moisture check.
A water heater that never seems to rest
If hot water is escaping under the slab, the heater keeps refilling and reheating. A heater that cycles constantly, or hot water that runs out sooner than it used to, points to the hot side.
Water at the slab edge outside
Sometimes water finds its way to the perimeter and shows up as a soggy strip along the foundation, even in dry weather.
Cracks in walls or the slab
Long-running leaks can wash out the sand supporting the slab. New cracks near where the plumbing runs deserve a closer look before they get worse.
Seeing one or more of these? Tell us which ones and when you noticed them.
Call (561) 783-8857Why Slab Leaks Are So Common in Greenacres
Slab leaks here are not bad luck. They come from the same few conditions, repeated across thousands of homes built in the same decades on the same ground.
Copper that has reached its age
Much of the city’s housing was built in the 1970s and 1980s. Neighborhoods like Forest Hill Village are known for stucco ranch homes, townhouses and condos from that era, and communities like the Villages of Woodlake along Jog Road were built through the 1980s and 1990s. Copper supply lines laid under those slabs are now roughly 35 to 55 years old, which is when pinhole failures become common.
Sand, limestone and a high water table
South Florida homes sit on sand over porous limestone, often with a shallow water table. Local plumbers point to slightly acidic groundwater, corrosive soil and shifting ground as the reasons copper under slabs develops pinhole leaks. The limestone can slowly dissolve and settle, and a saturated water table can attack metal pipe from the outside.
Movement and abrasion
Hot water lines expand and contract every time they heat up and cool down. Where a pipe rubs against concrete, gravel or another pipe, that daily movement slowly wears through the wall. Rigid copper also does not flex well when the ground under the slab settles.
How the house was built
Kinks, joints buried under the slab, pipe that was nicked during construction and lines laid directly against rebar all show up as leaks decades later. If your home has had one slab leak, the same conditions usually apply to the rest of the line, which is why we always talk about whether a spot repair is enough.
Look up your home’s year built on the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser‘s website before you call. It tells us a lot about what pipe is likely under your floor.
How We Find a Slab Leak Without Breaking Your Floor
The goal is one small, exact opening, or none at all. We work from least invasive to most, and we show you the readings as we go.
Confirm the leak at the meter
We watch the leak indicator with everything off, then close the main shutoff at the house. If the meter stops, the leak is inside the house or under the slab. If it keeps moving, the leak is on the service line in the yard, which is a different job and a different page.
Separate hot from cold
We isolate the hot side at the water heater and test each side on its own. A hot side leak explains warm floors and a busy water heater. A cold side leak often shows no heat at all.
Pressure test the branch
We pressurize the isolated line and watch a gauge. A pressure drop confirms the leak is on that branch, even when it is too slow to hear easily.
Pinpoint with acoustic and thermal tools
Water forced out of a small hole under pressure makes a sound. Ground microphones pick it up through tile and concrete, and we move across the floor to find where it is loudest. On hot lines, a thermal camera shows the heat pattern on the floor above the leak.
Use tracer gas when a leak is quiet
Very small or very quiet leaks can be hard to hear. We can fill the line with a safe tracer gas mix and detect where it escapes at the surface.
Mark it and write it up
We mark the exact spot on your floor and give you a dated report with photos and readings. That report supports your insurance claim and your request to the county for a water bill credit.
Drain side slab leaks
If water appears but the meter does not move, we test the drains instead. That usually means a camera inspection inside the drain line and, where needed, a drain test that plugs the line and watches whether the water level holds. It is a different test because it is a different kind of leak.
Slab Leak Repair Options: Spot Repair, Reroute or Repipe
Once the leak is marked, there are three honest paths. Which one is right depends on where the leak is, what the rest of your pipe looks like, and what is on top of your floor.
| Option | What happens | Best when | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spot repair | We open a small section of floor and slab at the exact leak, repair the pipe, and patch the concrete. | A single leak on pipe that is otherwise in fair condition, in a spot that is reasonable to open. | Flooring has to be opened and replaced at that spot. It fixes one leak, not the next one. |
| Reroute | We abandon the failed line under the slab and run new pipe through the attic or walls to the same fixtures. | The leak is under expensive tile, a kitchen island or cabinets, or the line has leaked before. | Some drywall access and patching. Lines in a hot Florida attic need to be properly supported and insulated. |
| Repipe | We replace the home’s water supply system, usually with new lines run overhead. | The copper has failed more than once, or the system is old enough that more leaks are likely. | The largest project, but it removes the failure point instead of patching it. |
What a spot repair involves
We protect the room, cut the flooring at the marked spot, and open the concrete with care to reach the pipe. After the repair, we pressure test the line before closing anything up, then patch the slab. Concrete needs time to cure before new flooring goes down over it. A spot repair is often a one day job plus cure time.
Why rerouting is so common here
Many Greenacres homes have tile throughout. Opening a tiled floor means finding matching tile, which is not always possible on a 30 or 40 year old home. A reroute leaves the floor alone entirely. One Florida plumbing guide puts a typical reroute at one to two days.
When one leak means more are coming
On old copper, one pinhole is information about the rest of the pipe. If you have had two slab leaks in a few years, or the pipe we expose shows heavy pitting, patching another spot is usually money spent twice. We will tell you plainly when we think that is the case, and we will also tell you when a single repair is perfectly reasonable.
What about pipe lining?
Some companies offer epoxy lining for supply lines. It can avoid demolition, but it is not right for every system, and it depends heavily on the condition of the pipe. If you are considering it, ask what happens if the lining fails and what the warranty covers in writing.
Hot Water Slab Leaks: Why They Cost More While They Run
A leak on the hot side costs you twice. You pay for the water that escapes, and you pay to heat it before it does. A water heater feeding a hidden leak runs far more than it should, and the extra heat under the floor is often what finally gives the leak away.
If you suspect a hot water slab leak and cannot get help right away, you can usually stop it by closing the cold water valve that feeds your water heater. That shuts off the hot side of the house while leaving cold water available for toilets and cold taps. If you have a gas water heater, or you are not sure how your heater is set up, call us first and we will walk you through it safely.
Slab Leak Detection and Repair Cost in Greenacres
We give you the detection price on the phone before we come out, and a written repair price after we find the leak. For context, here is what published 2026 figures show.
| Item | Published range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Slab leak detection (national) | Average about $280, most pay $150 to $400 | Angi, 2026 |
| Slab leak repair including detection (national) | Average about $2,280, most pay $630 to $4,400 | Angi, 2026 |
| Pinhole leak fix (national) | $150 to $800 | Angi, 2026 |
| Detection (Florida) | Roughly $300 to $700 | St. Petersburg plumbing guide, 2026 |
| Slab repair (Florida) | Most land between $2,000 and $6,000; reroutes and repipes cost more | St. Petersburg plumbing guide, 2026 |
What moves the price
- Location: a closet floor is simpler than the middle of a tiled great room or under a kitchen island.
- Flooring: tile and stone cost more to open and replace than carpet.
- Method: spot repair, reroute or repipe.
- Pipe condition: one pinhole or a system failing in several places.
- Drying and restoration: water mitigation and flooring are often separate trades.
How to keep the cost down
- Act early. The repair price stays about the same, but the damage around it grows.
- Get the leak located before anyone opens concrete. Exploratory demolition is the most avoidable expense in this job.
- Ask whether the detection fee is credited toward the repair.
- Keep every report and invoice for your insurer and for the county.
Insurance, the County Water Bill Credit and Permits
Homeowners insurance
Many Florida policies cover the resulting water damage but not the pipe repair itself, and some cover the cost of tearing out and replacing the floor to reach the pipe. Watch for the common exclusion for leakage lasting 14 days or more, and for limited water damage caps on older homes, often $10,000. Florida generally requires notice of a new claim within one year of the loss.
General information, not insurance or legal advice.
The PBCWUD usage credit
Palm Beach County Water Utilities serves Greenacres and offers an Excessive Usage Credit when a month’s reading is at least four times your 12-month average and over 10,000 gallons, and the use was not something like pool filling or sprinklers. It is available once every three years and the bill must be from the past six months. Call 561-740-4600 with our report and the repair invoice. Full details on our homepage.
Permits
Repairs to water lines generally need a permit from the City of Greenacres Building Department at the City Hall complex on Melaleuca Lane. We pull it and schedule the inspection. Your water provider is the county, but the permit comes from the city.
What to Do Right Now If You Suspect a Slab Leak
Do the meter test
Turn everything off, check the leak indicator, then close the main shutoff at the house and check again. Write down what you saw.
Stop the water if it is active
If you see water coming up, hear loud running water, or the meter spins fast, close the main shutoff. For a suspected hot side leak, closing the cold supply to the water heater may be enough.
Photograph everything
Take photos of stains, warm spots, damp flooring and your latest water bill. Note the date you first noticed each one. That timeline matters to insurers.
Do not start opening the floor
Water travels under a slab. The wet spot is often not above the leak, and breaking tile in the wrong place costs you twice.
Call us
Tell us what you noticed, when, and your home’s year built. We will tell you what to expect and give you the detection price before we come out.
Slab Leak Detection Across Greenacres
We work throughout Greenacres ZIP codes 33413, 33415, 33454, 33463 and 33467, from our office on S 57th Avenue.
Older single-family homes
Original copper under 1970s and 1980s slabs is the most common slab leak we see. Tile throughout the house often makes a reroute the smarter repair.
Townhouses, villas and condos
Shared walls and slabs make it important to prove which unit the leak belongs to. Our report states it clearly for associations and insurers.
55 and over communities
We explain every test before we run it and never rush a decision. We are glad to include a family member by phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I have a slab leak?
Common signs are a warm spot on the floor, a meter that moves with everything off, a water bill that keeps climbing, the sound of running water when the house is quiet, damp or lifting flooring, and a water heater that runs constantly. In Greenacres, the water often drains into the sand, so a moving meter or rising bill may be the only sign for a while.
Can a slab leak fix itself?
No. A pressurized leak under a slab does not seal itself. It usually grows, and the damage to the soil, flooring and walls around it grows with it.
How long does slab leak detection take?
Usually a couple of hours. We confirm the leak at the meter, separate hot from cold, pressure test the branch, and pinpoint it with acoustic and thermal equipment before marking the spot.
Will you have to jackhammer my floor?
Not always. Detection itself is non-invasive. For the repair, we compare a small spot opening with a reroute through the attic or walls that leaves your floor alone, and explain the cost and trade-offs of each before any work starts.
Is a reroute better than a spot repair?
It depends. A spot repair makes sense for one leak on pipe in fair condition in an easy location. A reroute is often better under tile, cabinets or an island, or when the line has already leaked once.
How much does slab leak repair cost?
Published 2026 figures put the national average for slab leak repair including detection at about $2,280, with most homeowners paying $630 to $4,400. One Florida guide puts most slab repairs at $2,000 to $6,000. We give you a written price after we find the leak.
Does homeowners insurance cover a slab leak in Florida?
It depends on your policy. Many cover the resulting water damage but not the pipe repair, and some cover tear out to reach the pipe. Watch for the 14 day leakage exclusion and limited water caps on older homes, and give notice promptly.
Can I get a credit on my water bill after a slab leak?
Possibly. Palm Beach County Water Utilities offers an Excessive Usage Credit when a month is at least four times your 12-month average and over 10,000 gallons. It is available once every three years for a bill from the past six months. Call 561-740-4600 with your leak report and repair invoice.
What does a warm spot on my floor mean?
Usually a hot water line leaking under the slab. The escaping hot water heats the concrete above it. A thermal camera can map the heat pattern quickly.
Why did another company say I have no leak?
If water shows up but the meter does not move, the leak may be on a drain line, an appliance or the AC, which a supply pressure test will not find. We test both the supply and drain sides.
Do I need a permit for a slab leak repair in Greenacres?
Repairs to water or sewer lines generally need a permit from the City of Greenacres Building Department. We pull it and schedule the inspection.
Question not answered here? Call (561) 783-8857 and ask. Talking it through costs nothing.
Related Leak Services in Greenacres
Find Your Slab Leak Before It Finds Your Floor
Every day a slab leak runs, it adds to your bill, soaks more of the ground under your home, and gets closer to the 14 day line in many insurance policies. Call us, tell us what you are seeing, and we will give you the detection price before we come out.
Star Florida Leak Detection, 4021 S 57th Ave #105, Greenacres, FL 33463. Member of PHCC and the South East Apartment Association. Last updated September 2026.