What Do These Water Heater Signs Mean?

The average water heater works continuously to provide a household with hot water when they need it. This continual work puts stress on the system and can cause it to fail prematurely if you don't maintain it and call for repairs when something seems wrong. Before you call a plumber, get to know these common water heater signs and what they mean for your unit. Fluctuation in Water Temperature: If you get water that fluctuates between being too hot or too cold, it might mean one of the heating elements is failing. It can also mean that your water heater has lost efficiency with age, and can't provide the hot water you're used to. Leaks: A leaky water heater doesn't always require replacement. Sometimes, you might have a faulty temperature and pressure relief valve that's the issue. Other times, it may be something as simple as a bad gasket. Discolored Water: If you notice brown water, it may mean that the tank is corroded or you have a failing anode rod. A corroding tank requires replacement, while an anode rod is easy to swap out. Strange Noises: As water heaters age, sediment builds up inside the tank, which can lead to strange sounds coming from the tank. You might hear rumbling, cracking, or popping sounds. Most times, this problem is fixed by flushing the tank to remove the sediment. If you hear a high-pitched whining noise, it could be scale build-up on the heating elements. You can fix this also by flushing the tank and cleaning off the scale. If you have other questions or concerns about your water heater, call the experts at Cajun Plumber for a consultation.

What Causes Sewer Line Clogs?

A clog in your main sewer line can be a serious health hazard, especially if raw sewage backs up into your home. Not only can this make you and your family sick, but it can also cause extensive damage to your flooring. Below are the most common causes of sewer line clogs and how you can prevent them. Debris from Home: The most common cause of sewer line clogs is debris that comes from inside the house. Many people flush things like paper towels, personal wipes, and feminine hygiene products down the toilet, which leads to clogs in the plumbing. Also, cooking grease and food waste are other culprits that cause clogging problems. To solve this, make sure you only flush toilet paper and human waste down the toilet and pour cooking grease and food debris into the trash instead of down the drain. Tree Roots: If you have large trees or shrubs on your property, they will naturally seek out available water sources under the ground if they become too dry. Most often, the nearest source of water is your sewer line. Tree roots are notorious for penetrating sewer lines at the joints or through small cracks, and once inside, they grow to cause a significant blockage. Consider upgrading your aging pipes with materials that resist tree roots, or remove the trees. Damage: It's not uncommon to see older homes with outdated plumbing run into trouble when the pipes crack and collapse. If the pipes are weak and the ground shifts, it's often enough to cause the pipes to fail. If your home is 50 years or older, contact a plumber to find out about replacing that old sewer line. Excessive Rain: Sewers can only handle so much water at a time, and when heavy rains come, they're often overwhelmed. When this happens, the overflow of water often finds its way into residential lines, which can cause clogs and backups. With a little forethought, you can guard against sewer problems like clogs and backups. If you're unsure how to go about this, call the experts at Cajun Plumber for help.

What are the Most Common Kitchen Plumbing Issues?

Besides the bathroom, the kitchen is one of the most-used rooms in the house. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks put a lot of strain on the plumbing and fixtures. Here are the most common plumbing problems you're likely to see in your kitchen. Low Kitchen Sink Water Pressure: If you have a weak water stream coming out of your kitchen faucet, it could be something simple like a clog in the line or aerator. Many residents deal with hard water, which causes mineral deposits to build up in the system, leading to clogs. If the problem lies with the aerator, you can fix this by removing it and cleaning it with vinegar or a scale-removal product. Leaky Faucet: Sometimes, a leaking faucet requires a professional to fix or replace, but check for these common causes of leaks before you call. If the faucet leaks at the base of the spout, it's likely a worn O-ring seal, which is easily replaced. Clogged Kitchen Drain: Most kitchen sinks use a P-shaped trap that's designed to stop sewer gas and other odors from coming into your house. Water flows into the curved section of the pipe via gravity to block these gases. However, when soap scum and grease build up in this P-trap, it obstructs the water flow and can cause a leak. You can check the P-trap by loosening the slip nuts at each and removing the trap. Leaking Dishwasher: Common causes of leaking dishwashers are broken float switches, bad gaskets, and damaged spray arms. Fortunately, these are easily replaced using a screwdriver. Clogged Drains: Most homeowners experience clogged drains, especially in the kitchen. Be careful about what goes down your kitchen sink. You can prevent most clogs by putting food scraps and cooking grease into the trash or a compost heap rather than putting them down the drain. If you do experience a clog, try a homemade remedy like vinegar and baking soda before calling a plumber. If you experience any problems with your kitchen plumbing, you can rely on help from the experts at Cajun Plumber.

When do you Need Gas Line Repair?

The gas line is one of the most important parts of your home's plumbing system. The gas line brings in the necessary fuel to provide various functions through the house, so it's crucial that the gas line remains in good condition. Like any line, however, there may come a time when you need gas line repair. Damaged lines can be dangerous, so watch out for these signs that signal that you should call a professional for help. Foul Odors: Perhaps the most significant sign pointing to a broken gas line is the odor of rotten eggs, which is a chemical put in by the gas supplier to alert customers of the presence of gas. If you smell this, call for help immediately. Hissing Sounds: Do you hear hissing noises coming from a gas appliance? If so, it could be a slow leak. Dying Vegetation: Many gas lines run through the lawn, so if you notice portions of your lawn that are dying, it could be a leak in the gas line. Spike in Gas Bill: If your gas bill suddenly spikes, you should have a professional check your gas line for leaks. If you suspect you have a gas leak, call the experts at Cajun Plumber right away.

How Do You Handle a Gas Leak?

Even if your gas lines were installed by a pro, they can still leak because of damage, age, shifting soil, or tree roots. Many times, homeowners don't know there's a problem until it's too late. If you suspect you have a gas leak, follow these steps to ensure your safety and the safety of your home. Get out of the house quickly. Don't use any electrical devices or turn on any electric items. Leave your doors and windows open to allow gas to escape. Call the gas company, 911, and a plumber. If you feel nauseated, lightheaded, have a headache, blurred vision, dizzy, or any other symptom associated with carbon monoxide poisoning, seek medical attention immediately.

Slab Leak Repair & Detection Service Baton Rouge | 225-372-2444

Q: Will my homeowner’s policy cover a slab leak insurance claim?

Coverage for a slab leak insurance claim depends on your policy details. Many insurers cover access and damage caused by the leak, but not the repair of the leaking pipe itself. Check with your provider and keep all documentation from the repair process.

Cajun Maintenance offers slab leak repair in Baton Rouge, LA. A slab leak is one of the most urgent plumbing emergencies that any homeowner can face. If you notice wet spots on your floor, the sound of running water when pipes aren’t in use, or an unexpected spike in your water bill, call for professional assistance as soon as possible.

We begin with a meter test to confirm the leak, followed by high-tech detection using thermal imaging and acoustic equipment to pinpoint the source. Once the leak is located, we provide the choice between a direct slab repair or a less invasive overhead PEX reroute. We offer upfront pricing and professional expertise tailored to the specific plumbing needs of the East Baton Rouge Parish community.

Call 225-372-2444 if you suspect signs of a foundation leak.

Our licenses: LMP # 6851 | LMNGF #9417 | LA COMMERCIAL LIC #68719

Whether you need foundation leak repair, kitchen plumbing services, or anything in between, our team is here for you!

What Is a Slab Leak?

A slab leak occurs when the pipes located underneath the concrete slab of your house begin to leak or burst. Since the slab supports the entire structure, any shifting caused by water can lead to severe foundation damage. Fixing the issue quickly helps prevent costly structural problems.

Signs of a Slab Leak

Damp spots on the floor
Sound of running water when no fixtures are in use
Unexplained increase in your water bill
Low water pressure at more than one fixture
Cracks in tile or concrete, musty smells, or soil erosion near the foundation
Mold growth or mildew along baseboards or flooring
Uneven or lifted sections of flooring
Water heater runs constantly (possible hot water line leak)
Rust or corrosion on exposed piping near the foundation or water heater

Think you might have a water leak?

Call 225-372-2444 to schedule a meter test today.

What Causes Slab Leaks?

Slab leaks occur because the pipes beneath your home have become compromised. Some reasons why this may have occurred:

Old, worn-out pipes leaking due to age.
Extreme weather causing the ground to shift.
Tree roots infiltrate the pipes and cause them to leak.
Issues with the construction of the pipes (this is more common in newer homes).

In most cases, it is impossible to determine the cause of a slab leak without professional assistance. Call 225-372-2444 for immediate slab leak detection service.

Our Slab Leak Detection and Repair Process

We follow a three-step process to confirm, locate, and repair your slab leak with minimal disruption to your home.

Step 1: Confirm the Leak (Meter Test)

We begin by confirming whether a leak is present. First, we turn off all fixtures and appliances that use water. Then we check the water meter. If the dial continues to move, it means water is escaping somewhere in the system. From there, we isolate specific valves and fixtures to narrow down which part of the plumbing system is affected before moving on to targeted testing.

Step 2: Pinpoint the Source

Once we confirm there's a leak, we use specialized tools to find its exact location. Our team combines thermal imaging cameras (which detect temperature changes in flooring and walls) with LeakTronics acoustic equipment that picks up the distinct sound of water escaping under the slab. This approach helps us identify the source accurately without unnecessary damage.

Step 3: Choose Repair: Direct Access or Reroute

After locating the leak, we help you choose the best repair method. Direct access involves opening the slab at the leak point. Rerouting bypasses the slab using new PEX lines overhead, and we offer several PEX repipe options based on your home’s layout. We’ll recommend the option that limits disruption and offers long-term reliability.

Call 225-372-2444 to request your slab leak estimate in Baton Rouge.

Slab leaks can be caused by fluctuating water pressure. Contact our licensed plumbers and ask how we can help.

Benefits of Choosing Our Plumbing Company

RECEIVE UPFRONT PRICING: We provide fair, upfront prices for service before we begin any work, so you know exactly what to expect from us. There are never any unpleasant surprises to worry about.
LOCAL EXPERTS AT YOUR SERVICE: At Cajun Maintenance, we have been helping homeowners in your community for over a decade. We are knowledgeable about the unique plumbing needs of East Baton Rouge Parish residents and will help you carry out the best solution that meets your needs.
LICENSED & INSURED PROFESSIONALS: Your home is in good hands with our fully licensed and insured team. We follow all local codes and safety standards to complete each job properly, no matter how complex the issue may be.

Non-Invasive Slab Leak Detection Process

Detecting a slab leak doesn't have to be messy! At Cajun Maintenance, we can locate the problem without breaking through your walls or flooring. Using a combination of thermal imaging cameras and LeakTronics leak detection equipment, we can easily pinpoint the exact location of the leak. As always, early detection is key. If you notice a problem, call Cajun Maintenance for immediate inspection.

LeakTronic Technology

Here at Cajun Maintenance, we use the industry's best leak detection equipment, LeakTronics. With this state-of-the-art technology, our licensed and experienced technicians are able to accurately locate water leaks wherever they happen. We detect leaks underneath your slab, cement, vinyl liners, pools, spas, and more. Top of the line equipment combined with our technicians' experience and knowledge means our customers receive precise, accurate results every single time.

Book Your Slab Leak Repair Services in Baton Rouge Today

Don’t wait for foundation damage to get worse. Cajun Maintenance provides accurate detection and prompt slab leak repair services for homeowners across Baton Rouge.

Call 225-372-2444 for slab leak repairs.

FAQs

Reroute vs Jackhammer: Which slab leak repair method should I choose?

Rerouting avoids cutting into the slab by installing new PEX lines through walls or ceilings, making it ideal for minimizing disruption. Jackhammer access is faster in some cases, but requires concrete removal and patching.

Can a pinhole copper under the slab lead to major water damage?

A pinhole copper under slab leak may start small but can cause serious foundation issues and mold growth if left untreated.

Will you handle concrete access and patch during slab leak repairs?

If we need concrete access and a patch, our team will restore the slab after the repair. We also advise on any additional surface restoration required.

What are the signs that I need emergency slab leak repair?

If you notice warm spots on the floor, unexplained water sounds, or visible flooding, your water line under the slab may have ruptured. These are all signs that you need emergency slab leak repair to prevent structural damage and mold growth.

Will my homeowner’s policy cover a slab leak insurance claim?

Coverage for a slab leak insurance claim depends on your policy details. Many insurers cover access and damage caused by the leak, but not the repair of the leaking pipe itself. Check with your provider and keep all documentation from the repair process.

Can a slab leak cause high water bills?

A hidden leak beneath your foundation can waste hundreds of gallons a day, leading to noticeably higher water bills even if your usage hasn’t changed.

Are cracks in my floor a sign of a slab leak?

Pressure from a leaking pipe can shift the foundation and cause visible cracks in tile, concrete, or baseboards.