Expert Slab Leak Detection & Repair in Palestine, TX

A slab leak is one of the most stressful plumbing problems a homeowner can face—because it’s hidden, it can grow quietly, and it can impact your floors, walls, and foundation. At Brooks Plumbing TX LLC, we provide professional slab leak detection and repair in Palestine, TX and surrounding East Texas communities. If your water bill is climbing, your floors feel damp or warm, or you hear water running when everything is off, our licensed plumbers can pinpoint the leak and recommend the most efficient repair option.

We know you want answers fast. Our process focuses on accurate diagnostics, clear communication, and repairs that hold up long-term. From the first inspection to the final system check, you’ll know what we found, what it will take to fix it, and what your options are—before work begins.

What Is a Slab Leak?

A slab leak is a leak that occurs in a water line or drain line located beneath the concrete foundation (“slab”) of your home or building. Because the leak happens under concrete, the water doesn’t always show up where the pipe is broken. It may travel under the slab, soak into the soil, and surface in another area—making the source difficult to identify without the right tools.

In East Texas, slab leaks are often connected to conditions that put stress on plumbing over time. Soil movement, natural settling, temperature shifts, and aging pipe materials can all contribute. Even a small pinhole leak can slowly erode soil under the slab, create voids, and lead to cracks in flooring or walls.

Common causes include:

Corrosion in copper pipes (including pinhole leaks)
Foundation shifting or settling
Poor installation, weak joints, or unsupported lines
Abrasion from concrete or gravel contact
High water pressure stressing fittings and pipe walls
Tree roots or nearby vegetation affecting the surrounding soil

Because the leak is hidden, early detection is the biggest factor in limiting damage and keeping repairs manageable.

Signs You May Have a Slab Leak

Slab leaks rarely appear overnight. They usually start small, then worsen as water pressure continues to push water through the break. If you notice any of the signs below, it’s time to schedule an inspection.

If you’re seeing a combination of these symptoms, don’t wait. A slab leak can lead to mold growth, structural damage, and expensive restoration if left untreated.

Unusually high water bills that keep rising without a change in usage
Damp, warm, or cold spots on flooring (especially on tile or concrete)
Sounds of running water when faucets and appliances are off
Cracks in walls, tile, grout, or flooring—especially new cracks that expand
Musty odors, mildew, or unexplained humidity inside the home
Low or fluctuating water pressure throughout the house
Warped hardwood or buckling laminate from moisture under the floor
A water heater that seems to run constantly (often tied to a hot-water slab leak)

What To Do If You Suspect a Slab Leak

When you call Brooks Plumbing, we’ll walk you through what to watch for and get you scheduled quickly. If you think you might have a slab leak, a few quick steps can help reduce damage while you wait for a professional:

Check your water meter when all water is off. If the meter is still moving, you likely have a leak.

Turn off every faucet, shower, dishwasher, washing machine, and any outdoor spigots. Then look at your water meter and note the reading or leak indicator. Wait 10–15 minutes without using any water and check again. If the dial continues to move, it’s a strong sign you have an active leak somewhere in the system—even if you can’t see it inside the house yet. This is one of the easiest ways to verify a hidden leak before damage spreads.

Limit water use until the system is inspected—especially hot water if you suspect a hot line leak.

The more water that runs through the system, the more water can escape beneath your foundation. Try to avoid long showers, laundry loads, and running the dishwasher until the leak is confirmed. If you notice warm spots on the floor or your water heater seems to be running constantly, reduce hot water use in particular. Hot-water slab leaks can raise energy bills quickly and create faster moisture buildup under floors.

Avoid DIY breaking or drilling into floors to “find it.” That often increases repair costs and can damage other lines.

Slab leaks don’t always show up directly above the broken pipe. Water can travel under the slab and surface in a different area, which makes guessing risky. Breaking tile, cutting concrete, or drilling into flooring without professional location equipment can cause unnecessary damage—and in some cases can hit other plumbing lines or create a bigger restoration project than the leak itself.

Call a licensed plumber who can test, locate, and verify the leak accurately.

Professional detection matters because it keeps the repair targeted. A licensed plumber can pressure test lines, isolate hot vs. cold water systems, and use electronic listening and thermal tools to pinpoint the source. Accurate detection helps prevent “chasing” the leak, reduces disruption inside the home, and leads to a repair plan that makes sense for your layout and plumbing condition.

Our Slab Leak Detection Process

Slab leak repair starts with one thing: knowing exactly where the leak is and what caused it. If the location is wrong, repairs get expensive fast—extra holes in the floor, extra time, and extra restoration. That’s why our slab leak detection process is built around accurate testing, step-by-step confirmation, and clear communication. We use professional tools to reduce guesswork and avoid unnecessary demolition, so you get answers you can trust.

In many homes, water can travel under the slab before it shows up on the surface. A damp spot in one room might actually come from a leak several feet away. Our job is to verify whether the leak is active, narrow down which line is affected, and pinpoint the most likely location before any repair work begins.

Pressure Testing

We begin by pressure testing your plumbing system to confirm whether a leak exists in the pressurized water lines beneath the slab. This test helps us determine if the issue is active right now, whether it’s happening on the hot or cold side, and whether it’s likely tied to a single branch line or the main supply.

Pressure testing is important because it gives us a baseline. If your system cannot hold steady pressure, it strongly suggests there is a leak somewhere in the closed system. From there, we can narrow the problem down and avoid tearing into the wrong area. In many cases, this step also helps us identify the urgency—whether the leak is small and slow or actively losing a large amount of water.

Electronic Leak Detection

Next, we use advanced electronic leak detection tools to pinpoint the leak’s location as accurately as possible. Acoustic listening equipment can “hear” the sound of water escaping under pressure through concrete and soil. These tools help us identify the strongest leak signal so we can focus on the right area first.

We also use thermal imaging when helpful—especially when a hot-water line is leaking. A hot-water slab leak often creates a temperature pattern under flooring that the camera can detect. Instead of guessing and breaking tile, we’re able to map the likely leak zone and recommend a targeted repair plan.

This approach keeps disruption low. The goal is fewer access points, less mess, and faster resolution—without sacrificing accuracy.

Isolation and Confirmation

Once we narrow down the area, we isolate sections of the plumbing system to confirm which line is affected (hot, cold, or a specific branch line). This step is what separates a “best guess” from a confident repair plan.

Isolation testing helps confirm the problem line and prevents unnecessary cutting into flooring or concrete. It also helps us identify whether you’re dealing with one isolated leak or signs of a larger piping issue. If the system shows repeated pressure loss in multiple areas, we’ll explain what that means and what options make sense long-term.

Our goal is simple: locate the leak quickly, confirm it confidently, and recommend the best fix for your home—not the most invasive one.

Slab Leak Repair Options

After detection, we’ll explain your repair options and help you choose the solution that makes the most sense for your home’s layout, the condition of your plumbing, and your budget. We also consider practical things like flooring type, accessibility, and whether the plumbing system has a history of repeat issues.

No two slab leaks are the same. Some are a single pinhole leak in an otherwise healthy system. Others are a sign that the piping material is failing over time. Our job is to give you clear options, explain what each option solves, and help you avoid paying twice for the same problem.

Spot Repair

Spot repair is often the right choice when the leak is isolated and the rest of your plumbing is in good condition. We access the affected section by opening a small, targeted area of the slab, repair or replace the damaged pipe, and then verify the system is holding pressure and flowing properly.

This method is typically faster and less expensive when the leak is truly localized. It also works well when detection confirms the leak is easy to access and your piping does not show widespread corrosion. After the repair, we test the line, confirm stability, and explain what to watch for going forward.

Rerouting Plumbing Lines

If the leak is difficult to reach, or if the plumbing material is aging and likely to fail again, rerouting can be a smarter long-term solution. Instead of breaking into the slab, we install a new line above the slab—often through the attic or inside walls—so your water supply bypasses the damaged section entirely.

Rerouting reduces the chance of repeat slab penetration in the future and can be an excellent option for older systems or homes that have already experienced multiple slab leaks. It also often speeds up restoration, because there’s less concrete work and fewer flooring repairs. We’ll explain where the new line will run, how it will be protected, and how it will be tied into your existing plumbing.

Re-piping for Long-Term Reliability

If there are multiple leaks, widespread corrosion, or an older piping system that’s showing signs of repeated failure, partial or full re-piping may be recommended. Re-piping replaces problem sections with modern, code-compliant materials designed for durability and performance.

It’s a bigger project, but it can eliminate recurring leak risk and improve water pressure and reliability. For many homeowners, re-piping becomes the most cost-effective choice when the system is nearing the end of its usable life. We’ll walk you through what sections would be replaced, what materials would be used, what the timeline looks like, and what to expect during the process.

We’ll break down the pros and cons of each option, provide clear pricing, and help you choose the best path forward.

Why Choose Brooks Plumbing for Slab Leak Repair in Palestine, TX

When your foundation and home are on the line, you need a plumbing team that’s thorough, honest, and experienced. Slab leaks can be confusing and stressful, so our job is to bring clarity, protect your home, and deliver a repair that holds up long after we leave.

Local Plumbing Experts

We live and work in East Texas, and we understand how local soil conditions, seasonal moisture changes, and normal foundation movement can put stress on plumbing lines beneath a slab. Because we know what Palestine-area homes typically deal with, our recommendations stay practical and realistic—not overbuilt, not underdone. You get a plan that fits your home, your symptoms, and the most likely cause.

Advanced Detection Tools

We invest in professional diagnostic equipment so you get answers faster and avoid unnecessary damage. Accurate detection helps us narrow the repair area, reduce the number of access points, and protect your floors and finished surfaces. In plain terms: better tools mean less guessing, less mess, and a higher chance we fix the right spot the first time.

Clear Communication and Upfront Pricing

We explain what we found, what it means, and how we plan to fix it—before any work begins. You’ll receive straightforward options with clear estimates, so you can make a confident decision without pressure. If there are multiple repair paths (spot repair, reroute, or re-pipe), we’ll outline what each option solves and why one may make more sense for your home.

Code-Compliant, Long-Lasting Repairs

All repairs are completed to current plumbing standards and verified with testing before we consider the job complete. We focus on durability—proper materials, correct connections, and proven methods—so your repair isn’t just a temporary patch. Our goal is to solve the issue and reduce the risk of repeat slab leak problems down the road.

Emergency Support Available

If the leak is active and causing damage, we can help you act quickly. Fast response can limit water intrusion, reduce the chance of mold, and prevent costly flooring or foundation-related restoration. When you call, you’ll get real guidance on what to do next while we work to get you scheduled and stabilized as soon as possible.

Get Peace of Mind — Schedule Slab Leak Service Today

Slab leaks can cause thousands in damage if ignored, but when caught early, they’re usually straightforward to diagnose and fix. If you’ve noticed higher water bills, damp flooring, low water pressure, or the sound of water running when everything is off, Brooks Plumbing TX LLC is ready to help.

Call now to schedule slab leak detection and repair in Palestine, TX. We’ll locate the problem, explain your options clearly, and restore your plumbing system with dependable workmanship you can trust.