Wellington Residential Hot‑Water Slab Leak – Hallway Thermal & Acoustic Confirmation
- kevanmackie3
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
Overview
A residential homeowner reported a warm spot beneath the hallway carpet between the master bedroom and master bathroom, along with a recent increase in utility usage. Southeastern Leak Detection & Repair performed a full diagnostic inspection to determine whether a hot‑water slab leak was present beneath the flooring.
Challenge
The challenge was confirming whether the warm flooring and rising utility costs were caused by a failure in the hot‑water plumbing system beneath the slab. There were no appliances, electrical components, or other heat‑producing sources in the hallway, so the primary objective was to verify the presence and exact location of a hot‑water slab leak using pressure testing, thermal imaging, and acoustic diagnostics.
Inspection Process
1. System Pressure Test
Installed a pressure gauge on the domestic water system.
Observed a significant and consistent pressure drop, confirming an active leak.
Turned off the water heater valve; pressure stabilized, isolating the leak to the hot‑water side of the plumbing system.
2. Thermal Inspection
Pulled back the carpet in the affected hallway area.
Infrared temperature readings exceeded 120°F, indicating a concentrated heat source directly beneath the slab.
Thermal mapping aligned precisely with the reported warm spot.
3. Acoustic Leak Detection
Deployed acoustic listening equipment over the thermally active zone.
Detected clear leak noise signatures consistent with a pressurized hot‑water line failure.
4. Visual & Physical Verification
Combined pressure, thermal, and acoustic data confirmed the leak location.
All indicators pointed to a failed hot‑water line beneath the slab in the hallway leading to the master bathroom.
Findings
Active hot‑water slab leak beneath hallway flooring.
Pressure loss isolated to the hot‑water system.
Thermal readings above 120°F directly over leak location.
Acoustic signatures confirmed active water movement beneath the slab.
Failure consistent with a stressed CPVC 90‑degree fitting installed during original construction.
Recommended Next Steps
Chip up flooring in the marked hallway area.
Excavate slab to expose the damaged hot‑water line.
Perform a spot repair on the failed CPVC fitting and piping.
After repair, ensure proper drying of flooring materials to prevent secondary moisture damage.
Repair Process
Chipped up flooring and excavated the slab in the identified leak zone.
Removed concrete and debris to expose the damaged 3/4" CPVC hot‑water line.
Cut out the compromised section and installed new CPVC piping.
All joints primed and solvent‑cemented using CPVC‑approved materials.
Backfilled excavation, compacted substrate, and poured new concrete to restore slab integrity.
Restored water flow and verified no active leaks.
Documented repair with photos before and after completion.
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