Slab Leak Detection & Repair in Cibolo, TX
Warm spot on the floor, running water you can't find, or a water bill that won't come down? Get the leak under your slab located and repaired.
Call (210) 750-1568- Open 24/7 · Cibolo, TX 78108
- Non-invasive detection
- Repair options explained
What is a slab leak?
A slab leak is a leak in a water supply line that runs under or through a home's concrete slab foundation. Because the pipe is buried in soil beneath the concrete, the leak is usually invisible until you notice a warm spot on the floor, the sound of running water, or a higher water bill.
Most homes in Cibolo are built slab-on-grade, which means the hot and cold water lines feeding kitchens and bathrooms travel under the concrete. When one of those lines develops a pinhole or a cracked joint, water escapes into the soil below. It can run for weeks before anything shows on the surface.
Slab leak service has two parts: detection, which finds exactly where the line is leaking, and repair, which fixes or replaces that line. This page covers both.
When should you call for slab leak repair?
- A warm or hot spot on tile, wood or concrete floors
- Running or hissing water sound with taps off
- Water meter moving with everything turned off
- Water bill rising with no change in habits
- Damp carpet, warped wood or loose tile
- Low water pressure at several fixtures
- Musty smell or mildew near baseboards
- New cracks in floors or walls
A warm spot points to a hot-water line. A cold leak gives fewer surface clues, so the meter test is especially useful. See the full list in common signs of a slab leak.
What causes slab leaks in Cibolo homes?
There is rarely a single cause. The most common contributors in this area are:
- Clay soil movement. Much of the Cibolo area sits on clay that swells when wet and shrinks in drought. Repeated movement stresses pipes under the slab.
- Abrasion. Pipes that rub against concrete, gravel or each other as they expand and contract with hot water can wear through over time.
- Installation issues. A kinked line, a poorly made joint or a pipe nicked during construction can fail years later.
- Water chemistry and pressure. Hard water and high household water pressure add wear to pipes and fittings.
- Age. Many Cibolo subdivisions date from the 2000s, and their original plumbing is now old enough for small failures to appear.
How slab leak detection works
- Confirm the leak. The meter is checked with all water off, and hot and cold sides are isolated to see which is losing water.
- Pressure test each line. Lines are tested one at a time to narrow down which run is leaking.
- Trace the pipe. An electronic locator maps where the leaking line runs under the slab.
- Pinpoint the leak. Acoustic ground microphones listen along the line for the sound of escaping water. Thermal imaging helps on hot-water lines.
- Mark and explain. The leak location is marked and the repair options are explained before any work starts.
Slab leak repair options
The main slab leak repair options are a spot repair through the concrete, rerouting the line above the slab, tunneling under the foundation, or repiping the home. The right choice depends on where the leak is, how old the plumbing is, and whether more leaks are likely.
| Option | How it works | Good fit when | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spot repair | A small section of slab is opened at the leak, the pipe is repaired, and the concrete is patched. | One leak in otherwise sound pipe, in an accessible spot. | Flooring at that spot is disturbed. Doesn't prevent other leaks on old pipe. |
| Reroute | The leaking line is abandoned and a new line runs through walls or the attic. | The leak is hard to reach or the line has failed before. | Some drywall work. The new line avoids the slab entirely. |
| Tunneling | Crews dig under the foundation from outside to reach the pipe. | Interior flooring must not be disturbed. Often used for drain lines. | Slower and more involved. Soil must be backfilled and compacted carefully. |
| Repipe | The home's supply plumbing is replaced, often run overhead. | Repeated leaks or aging pipe throughout the house. | The largest job, but it addresses the whole system at once. |
What affects slab leak repair cost?
Every slab leak job is priced on its own details. The biggest factors are:
- Whether you need detection only, or detection plus repair
- The repair method: spot repair, reroute, tunneling or repipe
- Floor covering at the leak (tile, wood, carpet) and its replacement
- How many lines are leaking and the overall pipe condition
- Drywall, flooring or landscaping restoration afterward
Ask for the detection price up front and a written estimate for the repair. Ask if the estimate includes patching concrete and drywall.
Will insurance help with the cost?
Coverage varies a lot between policies. Some policies help pay to access the pipe (opening the slab) and for resulting water damage, but exclude the pipe repair itself. Others limit coverage for slow, long-term leaks.
- Call your insurer before repairs if you plan to file a claim
- Photograph damage, the meter reading and the leak location
- Keep the written leak detection report and invoices
Our guide does insurance cover slab leaks explains the three parts of a claim.
Not sure the leak is under the slab? It may be in the service line in your yard instead, which is tested differently.
How much does slab leak repair cost in Cibolo?
Slab leak detection in Cibolo usually costs about $250 to $600. A spot repair through the slab, including the concrete patch, commonly runs $1,000 to $4,000. Rerouting the line costs about $1,500 to $5,000, and a whole-home repipe $5,000 to $15,000. Flooring replacement is usually extra.
| Slab job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Slab leak detection | $250 – $600 |
| Spot repair through the slab | $1,000 – $4,000 |
| Reroute one line overhead or through walls | $1,500 – $5,000 |
| Tunneling under the foundation | $3,000 – $8,000+ |
| Whole-home repipe (PEX) | $5,000 – $15,000 |
Ranges are approximate 2026 estimates for the Cibolo and northeast San Antonio area, gathered from typical local pricing. They are not quotes. The provider gives you a price before any work starts.
For general leak checks around the house, see leak detection in Cibolo, TX.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if I have a slab leak?
Common signs are a warm spot on the floor, the sound of running water with all fixtures off, a water meter that keeps moving, a sudden jump in your bill, damp or buckling flooring, and new cracks. Our slab leak signs guide covers each one.
Is a slab leak an emergency?
A slab leak is urgent but usually not a turn-off-everything emergency unless water is coming up through the floor. The longer it runs, the more water is wasted and the more the soil under the slab is affected, so get it located soon.
Do they have to jackhammer my floor?
Not always. Many slab leaks are fixed by rerouting the line through walls or the attic, which leaves the slab alone. When a spot repair is the better choice, only a small section of concrete is opened at the exact leak point.
Which is better, a spot repair or a reroute?
A spot repair fixes one leak and is often right for a single failure in otherwise good pipe. A reroute replaces the leaking line with a new path above the slab and avoids future leaks on that line. The age and condition of the rest of your plumbing usually decides it.
Does insurance pay for slab leak repair?
It depends on your policy. Some homeowners policies help with the cost of accessing the pipe and resulting water damage but not the pipe itself. Check with your insurer and keep the detection report and photos.
Can a slab leak damage my foundation?
Water leaking under a slab can saturate the soil, and in clay soil that can contribute to movement. It is one reason not to let a slab leak run.
How long does slab leak repair take?
Detection is often done in a few hours. A spot repair or reroute is commonly a one- to two-day job, while a whole-house repipe takes longer.
Need a leak found in Cibolo?
Call NowOne call connects you with a local leak pro serving Cibolo, TX 78108.