Whether the leak is under a slab, within your walls, or in yard services, it can do hidden damage in no time. Riptide Plumbing is on hand to serve residential and commercial clients in Navarre, FL, as well as Pensacola, Destin, and other Florida communities in the vicinity. Our plumbing team has over 20 years of experience with everything from water heater and sewer line work to drain services and pipe repair. We are also available for 24/7 emergency response and will provide a free estimate if you need us right away. When vetting a repair service, we advise homeowners to compare national brands with local plumbers and make sure they are dealing with a licensed and insured provider they can trust.
Flooring or tile that is damp or warm to the touch; this is often indicative of a pinhole leak behind the tile or a hot-side slab leak.
A spike in usage on a smart meter report or an unexplained jump in the water bill, pointing to a burst pipe or a failing water line.
Soggy soil by the foundation or soft, sinking ground in the yard, which are telltale marks of a leak in the yard or a slab issue.
Musty smells, mold, or foundation settling after some plumbing has been done. Catching these early will go a long way in protecting your property from structural or mold damage.
Drains that are slow or recurring sewer stoppages suggest a blockage or crack in the line under the house.
Immediate Steps When a Leak Is Suspected
To put a stop to running water and the expense of water damage, turn off the main supply at the shutoff if it is safe to do so.
In the event of an active break with water threatening the home, call for emergency help without delay. Riptide’s 24/7 service is there to contain the situation and keep cleanup to a minimum.
With a sewer backup, do not add to the system by using the toilet or running a faucet; sewage contamination is a serious matter.
Should flooding be imminent and you are unable to secure help in time, the fire department or other local emergency services may be called upon to shut off the municipal supply.
The Professional Approach to Locating Leaks
There is a method to finding a leak inside walls or under a slab. Some of the diagnostics our technicians employ are:
Use of infrared and thermal imaging to zero in on the problem by detecting the warmth of a hot-water leak.
Geophones and other acoustic equipment to listen for the sound of pressurized water making its way out from under the concrete or soil.
Hydrostatic testing on sewer branches. We will isolate a section with test balls and apply pressure to see where it is lost.
A camera inspection of the sewer line to verify any root intrusion, bellies or cracks. It is the best way to assess the severity of the damage to your plumbing system.
What Causes These Problems
Copper that has been abraded or corroded from rubbing against rock or concrete beneath the slab until it wears through.
Old cast-iron sewer lines that have rusted or cracked over the decades and are in need of replacement.
Roots making their way into older systems and causing the kind of stoppages that lead to more service calls.
Grease and non-flushables like wet wipes putting undue stress on the system.
On Repairs: What to Expect
The course of action for a repair will be dictated by the extent of the damage and the type and location of the pipe in question.
One will find a number of standard methods in our work:
Spot excavation and replacement. This is the usual way to go about repairing a damaged section of pipe, be it PVC or a shallow yard service; we dig in to get at the problem area.
Rerouting above the slab. In cases of persistent slab leaks, it makes sense for a technician to run new piping through an attic or wall rather than keep a buried segment that is prone to break. For hot and cold water supply, repiping with PEX is often the preferred long-term fix.
Replacing sewer yard services in their entirety. If cast iron has seen better days, we may advise putting in a new line from the tap to the house to spare you from constant repairs.
Hydrojetting. A high-pressure water jet is effective at scouring grease and other buildup from drain lines, particularly in commercial kitchens. (We do not recommend hydrojetting on old, brittle cast-iron mains without first doing an inspection.)
While there are trenchless and lining products on the market, they come with caveats. Lining can put up edges for debris to catch on and will not fix bellies or branch connections. An inspection by a qualified professional is the best way to arrive at a sound solution, whether that is a targeted repair or a full repipe.
Preventing Future Leaks and Stoppages
Stick to flushing toilet paper. The “flushable” wipes on the market do not disintegrate and are a leading cause of blockages.
Leave the heavy drain cleaning to the pros. Our technicians have the right heads and machine sizes to clean edge-to-edge, something a small tool rented for home use cannot do.
If your water conditions warrant it, a softener or whole-house filter will cut down on mineral deposits and give your valves and appliances a longer run.
Put in for a camera inspection if you are buying a property or have had recurring stoppages. It is the only way to put a finger on the location of a hidden leak before it gets expensive.
Why Riptide Plumbing in Navarre?
We cover Navarre as well as Pensacola, Destin, and other Florida communities. From water heater issues to sewer and drain work, Riptide Plumbing is here to help. With over two decades in the business, our team is available 24/7 for emergencies and will put together a free estimate so there are no surprises when it comes to cost. For a burst pipe or low pressure, call on local plumbers who provide dependable service at an affordable rate.
Next Step
Unexplained water usage, wet spots, or the sound of water under the slab are all reasons to make a call. We can inspect for repeated sewer stoppages or structural damage and lay out your options, from a simple fix to a new water line. When you are looking for plumbing in Navarre, FL, be sure to compare quotes from the top licensed and insured professionals and pick the one that fits your needs. Riptide Plumbing can locate the source of the problem and tell you what needs to be done to prevent further damage.
Our Warranty
We offer a one-year warranty on all plumbing and service work other than drain cleaning, unless the pipes are jetted. Contact us with any warranty questions.
Jeff did outstanding work. Very professional and courteous. Riptide gave a great price for new water heater replacement. Highly recommend Riptide and highly recommend Jeff.
I was very pleased with the expedited service and the knowledgeable and polite technicians. Everyone I was in contact with bent over backwards to make this a good experience.
They showed up within the time they said they would, quickly figured out what was needed, then got to work right away. They did a great job replacing my water heater connections and a broken spigot. Everything worked without any issues and they checked
inside my house to ensure nothing else was negatively affected. I would highly recommend them to anyone!
Had a blockage in our main drain line & was able to get on the schedule for a visit only 2 hours after calling on a Saturday. Chase was on time & had it taken care of pretty quick. Will definitely recommend Riptide to anyone I hear asking about plumbing services.
Riptide plumbing came through for me and my family. After calling multiple companies waiting over night waiting for someone to show up. I called riptide at 7am and they had someone to me in a few short hours. Work was done and efficient ALEC was professional and very friendly. If I could give them 100 star rating I would. Strongly recommend
