Remove a portion of the slab at the leak's location and repair the pipe. This spot repair is often the most effective method for newer homes. Replacing, repiping, or rerouting the entire line is another method for slab leak repair.
The average cost of slab leak repair is $2,300. * Depending on the extent of the problem, repairs may cost as little as $630 or as much as $4,400 or more. The location of the leak is the most relevant factor to cost because this determines how difficult it is to access and repair the leak.
Trenchless Slab Leak Repair
The slab repair specialists will seal the broken pipe with epoxy pipe liners. First, they will do a camera inspection to determine the extent of the damage. Then, if trenchless repair is viable, they will clean the pipe, place the epoxy pipe liner, inflate it, and then let it cure.
If the slab leak resulted from a pipe that suddenly burst, homeowners insurance may pay for the removal and replacement of the slab. Foundation leaks caused by a flood generally won't be covered by a standard homeowners policy.
When a water pipe leaks or bursts under the concrete foundation, this is a slab leak. Often, a homeowner does not even realize water is leaking under and around the slab. These leaks can cause a list of problems, and eventually, the damage can evolve into structural instability and collapse.
Homeowners insurance usually won't cover damage to your home caused by sewer, septic tank or drain backups. That's unfortunate, because these types of backups can cause thousands—even tens of thousands—of dollars of damage to your personal property.
The urgency of addressing a slab leak lies in its potential to cause substantial damage to your home's foundation, leading to structural issues and increased repair costs. Ignoring the signs or delaying repairs can exacerbate the situation, turning a manageable issue into a critical emergency.
If you stay in a warmer region (e.g., California), you may only need to run the pipe around 12 – 24 inches (3.48 – 60.96 cm) underground. Since there is no intense cold, there is no risk of freeze damage. If you stay in a colder region (e.g., Alaska), you will need to go deeper.
Polyurethane Waterproofing Treatment
Pidilite developed products like Dr. Fixit PU Foam Injection, Dr. Fixit PU Plain Injection and Dr. Fixit Novolac Clear among others can be used for waterproofing concrete slabs on the roofs, floors, and basements of residential and commercial properties.
Broken Drain Pipe Under Slab
If the broken drain pipe is located under the slab, it can be one of the most expensive pipe repairing projects, costing anywhere between $500 to $4,500 to detect and repair the pipe. The high cost results from the need for the plumber to break through the slab to reach the damaged pipe.
How long does it take to repair a slab leak? Most under slab leak repairs take a day or less to resolve. There are some situations where the fix could take longer, but this is rare.
The only way to stop water from coming up through your foundation slab is by installing a drain tile system, vapor barrier, and sump pump. Installing a vapor barrier will counter moisture seepage – A vapor barrier is a thin (10 to 20-mil thick) sheet of polyethylene that's placed along your foundation walls.
If the cause of the slab leak is an isolated, faulty pipe, then pipe lining or epoxy pipe lining may be the cheapest way to fix a slab leak.
Under most standard home insurance policies, if water damage occurs suddenly or accidentally from a source inside your home, such as a busted pipe, it will likely be covered by your homeowners insurance. If the water comes from outside your home, it will not be covered by your standard policy.
One of the most effective tools plumbers use to detect slab leaks is an acoustic listening device. These devices are designed to amplify the sound of water flowing through pipes, making it easier to pinpoint the exact location of a leak.
If your home is undergoing a renovation or remodel, you may want to consider repiping a house built on a slab during the construction project. It's easier to replace pipes inside walls before hanging drywall. Brass and copper pipes tend to last 80 to 100 years. Galvanized steel may only last 70 to 80 years.
If you have a slab on grade foundation, your pipes will be more than six inches below ground. Heat from the ground and from the house will keep the temperature of the soils under the foundation above freezing. You do not need to worry about freezes affecting your underground pipes.
Plumbing can be run under concrete slabs of all kinds, including slab foundations. Plumbing is hidden by walls, floors, and roofs, but it also can run under concrete sidewalks, stoops, patios, and foundations.
If a peril that's covered by your homeowners insurance policy results in a plumbing leak under your slab creating a slab leak, your homeowners insurance policy might help pay to tear out and replace the slab and repair the water damage to your home.
The first way you can fix a leak is by jack-hammering the concrete slab, digging down to the pipe, and fixing it. The second way is to dig a tunnel through the dirt under the slab from the outside all the way to where the leak is.
Homes with older plumbing, especially those with aging copper pipes, are more vulnerable to corrosion, which can lead to slab leaks over time. While slab leaks are not an everyday occurrence, they are common enough that homeowners should be vigilant and watch for the signs to avoid extensive damage.
In short, homeowners insurance typically covers sudden and accidental damage from plumbing issues, but it may not cover the cost of repairing or replacing the actual plumbing apparatus.
Average Flat Rate
Some plumbing jobs are billed at a flat rate. As of 2025, the average plumber rates for larger repairs are typically between $500 to $800, while smaller jobs like repairing toilets, sinks, faucets, or bathtubs typically range from $125 to $350.