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    cebujack's Avatar
    cebujack Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Jan 28, 2008, 06:00 PM
    Leak under cement floor
    I am a American missionary in the Philippines. In my house I have a major leak and I don't know where. I don't want to tear up all my floors looking for it. Is there a way to seal the leak like the radiator leak stuff? I read about a company called Sleuth that locates slab leaks that we use, but that is in the U.S. Can somebody tell me what to do without tearing up all of my floors?

    Thanks

    Pastor Jack
    ballengerb1's Avatar
    ballengerb1 Posts: 27,378, Reputation: 2280
    Home Repair & Remodeling Expert
    		  
    #2

    Jan 28, 2008, 06:09 PM
    What are the floors made of and how do you know there is a leak? Is the leak a water supply line, a drain line or part of the home's heating system. Sory but I just need more info.
    cebujack's Avatar
    cebujack Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
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    #3

    Jan 28, 2008, 07:00 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by ballengerb1
    What are the floors made out of and how do you know there is a leak? Is the leak a water supply line, a drain line or part of the home's heating system. Sory but i just need more info.

    I have all cement floors covered with tiles like all home in Philippines. I lost over 13,000 gallons of water. Yes it is a water supply line. From the water meter to the house there is no leak. But from the house, or under the cement is a massive leak.

    Pastor Jack
    ballengerb1's Avatar
    ballengerb1 Posts: 27,378, Reputation: 2280
    Home Repair & Remodeling Expert
    		  
    #4

    Jan 28, 2008, 07:07 PM
    Sorry Pastor but if the pipe is under the house 's concrete floor there just aren't any secret fixes. The only tempoary partial fix is to leave the main shut off 90% of the day and only turn it on periodically to refill toilets or a sink full of water and then turn it back off. Fill every bucket you have and that might meet your washing needs for a day. Since you are a missionary I'm hopeful you have a landlord that is renting to you. He has one big repair job ahead.
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
    		  
    #5

    Jan 29, 2008, 08:54 AM
    It's going to work like this Jack. First follow Bals advice about shutting off the water at the meter. There should be companies that advertise "Leak Detraction" in the yellow pages. They will come in with a sensitive listening device and pin point the leak under the slab. In the US they jackhammer up the slab, dig out the dirt, bag it and bare the leak so the plumber can drain the system down and repair it. Do not delay, have this looked at as soon as possible. Good luck, Tom
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