For homeowners in Cleburne, Burleson, Joshua, Keene, Alvarado and Godley
Slab Leak Questions, Answered Plainly
These are the questions Johnson County homeowners ask most about leaks under concrete slabs. Each answer starts with the short version, then adds the detail. Jump to a topic below or call if your floor is wet right now.
- 25 answers
- 7 topics
- Sources linked
- 01Locate before diggingAsk for a test, not a guess
- 02Quote before workAsk for every fee up front
- 03Options explainedSpot fix, reroute or repipe
- 04Second opinions welcomeNo pressure to hire
Short answers
The Six Questions Everyone Asks First
Last updated October 19, 2026. Every fact on this page links to its source.
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| Do I have a slab leak? | Run the meter test with every tap off. |
| Who should fix it? | A licensed plumber with leak locating gear. |
| Will they break my floor? | Not always; reroutes and tunnels avoid it. |
| What does it cost? | It depends on the fix; get line items in writing. |
| Will insurance pay? | Often for water damage; often not for the pipe. |
| Is it urgent? | Yes, if water is coming up or near outlets. |
Jump to a topic
Topic 01
Finding a Leak Under the Slab
What is the first thing to check if I think I have a slab leak?
Your water meter. Turn off every tap, then watch the leak dial for a few minutes. If it moves, water is going somewhere, and the meter test guide shows how to tell if it is inside or in the yard.
Can a plumber find a slab leak with a camera?
Not on a water supply line. Supply lines are found with pressure tests, tracing and listening. Cameras are used for drain lines, which can also leak under a slab.
What does a static pressure test mean?
The plumber closes off one part of the plumbing, fills it to pressure and watches a gauge. If the pressure drops, that section is leaking. It is also called a hydrostatic test.
Can a slab leak be under a cabinet or a tub?
Yes. A leak can be anywhere along the pipe's path. When it sits under cabinets, tile or a tub, tunneling or a reroute can avoid tearing those out.
Topic 02
Costs and Quotes
What makes one slab leak repair cost more than another?
The method, the depth of the pipe, the flooring over the leak, how easy the attic or walls are to reach, any permit, and drying work. A located leak lets the plumber price these items.
Is the leak detection fee separate from the repair price?
Often, yes. Ask what the visit costs before it is booked, and ask if that fee is credited toward the repair if you hire the same plumber.
Why do two plumbers quote such different prices?
They may be quoting different fixes, such as a spot repair versus a reroute, or one quote may leave out concrete and flooring. Compare the line items rather than just the total.
Does an after hours visit cost more?
It often does. Ask about any after hours, weekend or holiday fee before you confirm the visit.
Topic 03
Repair Methods
What is the difference between a reroute and a repipe?
A reroute replaces only the leaking run with a new line through the walls or attic. A repipe replaces most or all of the water lines in the home. See repair options for when each fits.
Does a reroute mean opening my walls?
Yes, but the openings are usually small and get patched after the new line is in. PEX can be pulled through walls with fewer openings than copper.
How is the concrete patched after a spot repair?
The trench is backfilled and packed, then new concrete is poured to match the slab. Ask if the plumber replaces the vapor barrier and pins new rebar, and who restores the flooring.
Should a copper line be repaired with copper?
Not always. Plumbers can join copper to PEX, but joining different metals needs the right fittings to avoid corrosion. Ask what material and fittings will be used.
Topic 04
Insurance and Paperwork
What photos should I take of a slab leak?
Wet flooring, stains, warm spots, any standing water, the water meter reading and damaged belongings. Take them before cleanup and keep the dates.
Do I need the plumber's report for an insurance claim?
It helps a lot. Written findings that name the leaking line and the spot show the insurer what happened and where. Ask for them at the end of the leak locating visit.
Can a slab leak claim affect my insurance later?
It can become part of your claims history. Ask your agent how a claim may affect your policy before you file a small one.
Topic 05
Safety and Damage
Can I keep using water while I wait for the plumber?
If no water is surfacing and the leak is slow, many homeowners keep using water and shut the main valve when it is not needed. If the leak is on the hot side, closing the water heater's cold inlet stops it.
Can a slab leak ruin hardwood or tile floors?
It can. Wood can cup and swell, and tile can loosen as the base gets wet. Drying fast limits the damage, so start as soon as the leak is stopped.
Is the water from a slab leak dirty?
Water from a supply line starts out clean. Water that sits in carpet or soil can grow mold, and a drain line leak is dirty from the start, so treat that as a cleanup job.
Topic 06
Cleburne and Johnson County
Why are slab leaks common in Johnson County?
Much of eastern Johnson County sits on deep Blackland Prairie clay (Handbook of Texas), which swells and shrinks with the weather. Add hard freezes and aging pipes, and lines under slabs take a lot of stress.
Where does Cleburne get its water?
From Lake Pat Cleburne, a city reservoir on the Nolan River about four miles southwest of town (TWDB).
Do homes on wells in Johnson County get slab leaks too?
Yes. The pipes under the slab are the same; only the warning signs differ. Watch the pressure tank and pump, as explained on our Godley page.
Do I need a city permit for slab leak repair in Cleburne?
It depends on the job and the city. Cleburne, Burleson and the other towns run their own permit offices, so ask the plumber if a permit is needed and if they will pull it.
Topic 07
Choosing a Plumber
How do I check a Texas plumber's license?
Ask for the license number, then look it up with the Public License Search on the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners site. Make sure the name matches the person or company on your quote.
What should I ask before I hire a slab leak plumber?
How they will find the leak, which line they think it is on, what each repair option costs in line items, who restores the floor, and what the warranty covers.
Should the repair come with a warranty?
Ask for the warranty in writing before work starts. Find out how long it lasts and if it covers only the repaired section or the whole line.
Call before it gets worse
Talk to someone about your slab leak
Call and describe what you see. We connect you with a local plumber who handles slab leaks, based on who is available.