If you’ve stepped onto a section of your floor in Frisco and noticed it’s much colder than the rest of your home, especially when it hasn’t always been, there’s a good chance something is going on below the surface. Cold spots like that aren’t just uncomfortable. They could be a sign that water is leaking beneath your concrete foundation. These kinds of leaks are called slab leaks, and they usually stay hidden until something unusual shows up, like a strange damp patch or that unexpected chill on your floor.

Slab leaks start when water pipes running under your home’s slab foundation crack, corrode, or shift. When they leak, the water has nowhere to go but into the soil or up into the slab itself. That trapped moisture can cool down nearby materials, giving you cold zones under your toes even during summer. These leaks can also damage your foundation over time if they aren’t found early. That’s why we always tell Frisco homeowners to not ignore the signs.

Common Signs Of Hidden Slab Leaks

Spotting a slab leak early means saving yourself from major damage later. Most people think about water spots or visible puddles when they picture a leak, but a slab leak is trickier than that. These hidden problems tend to show up through smaller, unexpected clues.

Here are some of the most common signs:

– Cold spots on the floor, especially in places without vents or tile

– A spike in your water bill without any clear reason

– Damp flooring, warped wood, or musty smells in parts of the house

– The sound of running water even though all faucets are off

– New cracks in walls or flooring that weren’t there before

One example we’ve seen is a homeowner who thought their guest bathroom floor just felt chilly because of a lack of floor insulation. Turns out it was actually a constant trickle of water working its way up from below. The pipes had been leaking for months, and by the time they reached out for help, the wooden subfloor was already buckling. They spotted the cold tile but brushed it off at first. That cold feeling was the body’s warning that something wasn’t right.

Never ignore signals like these. It might not be a major issue yet, but once that water collects and spreads, it doesn’t take long to affect flooring, cabinets, and even the foundation. Acting early can cut down on the mess and the cost once things start to get worse.

Causes Of Slab Leaks

There isn’t just one single reason slab leaks develop. A few different things can be going on underneath your Frisco home, and sometimes more than one plays a part. If your home is older or the area around it shifts a lot due to weather or soil conditions, the odds go up. But newer homes aren’t immune either. Issues can show up there just the same.

Some of the most common causes include:

1. Pipe corrosion: Over time, water pipes start to corrode. This is especially true if the water has a high mineral content. Once the outer layers weaken, small holes can form and leak into the surrounding area.

2. Shifting soil: The clay-rich North Texas soil tends to expand when it’s wet and shrink when dry. These movements can put pressure on your foundation and the pipes beneath it, leading to stress fractures.

3. Poor pipe installation: When plumbing was installed carelessly or with low-quality materials, it might not hold up over time. It’s not always visible either, especially when everything is buried under concrete.

4. Rubbing or vibration: If your pipes weren’t secured tightly when they were first placed, they can rub against the concrete slab over time. This motion can wear down the pipe surface and slowly open up a weak spot.

Each of these triggers builds up quietly. They typically don’t show themselves right away, which makes early detection even more important. The longer water goes unnoticed beneath your floors, the more it spreads. And when it’s allowed to sit under the surface, it creates more than just cold spots—mold, structural damage, and lifted flooring can follow close behind.

Knowing the causes helps you recognize what might be affecting your home sooner, so you can take action before things turn into a bigger problem.

Steps To Take When You Suspect A Slab Leak

If you’re starting to notice anything strange like cold patches on the floor or a small crack by the baseboards that wasn’t there before, the best thing you can do is act quickly. The longer a slab leak goes unchecked, the more damage it causes, both to your home’s structure and your wallet.

Here’s what you should do right away:

1. Turn off your water supply if the leak seems severe or water is pooling.

2. Avoid using hot water until the issue is checked. Continuous use can stress the pipe further.

3. Don’t start jackhammering or digging to find the spot yourself. It could lead to even more damage or injury.

4. Call a licensed plumber with experience in slab leak detection. They’ll use equipment like pressure testing or thermal imaging to find the problem without tearing up your floors.

One Frisco homeowner assumed the dip in water pressure and chilly hallway tiles were due to regular aging issues with their home. After a week of waiting, part of their baseboard started to swell. When we arrived and used acoustic leak detection, it confirmed a steady leak flowing under their entryway. Treating it sooner would’ve saved them from needing to replace flooring and damaged drywall.

Don’t wait for puddles to show up. Once you notice two or more signs and don’t have a good explanation for them, it’s time to bring in someone who can find the cause fast and manage the fix correctly.

Preventing Future Slab Leaks In Frisco Homes

While you can’t fully control what happens underground, you do have options to lower the chance of slab leaks. Most of the time, they don’t start big—they just get worse because they go ignored. Prevention is about good habits and staying alert to small changes.

Here are some maintenance steps that help:

– Schedule regular plumbing inspections to check for early wear or corrosion

– Watch your water bill closely for any unexplained jumps

– Pay attention to shifting in your driveway, walkways, or indoor floors that might show soil changes

– Install a pressure-reducing valve if your system runs with high water pressure often

– Ensure pipes under your home are secured and not rubbing against the slab

Insurance does not usually cover long-term leaks that should’ve been found earlier. That makes routine plumbing inspections even more important. Having a licensed plumber check over your pipes, valves, and overall plumbing structure once a year can help you spot small problems early.

During these visits, we also check for backflow issues or silent valve leaks and make sure your water heater isn’t quietly dripping inside the garage or water heater closet. Catching that small drip before it hits your slab can save you from tearing up flooring later.

Why Catching Slab Leaks Early Matters

Cold floors might seem like a small thing to ignore, but they’re often one of the first signs of a slab leak. If left alone, they can lead to wood rot, warped cabinets, and even cracks through your concrete base. Knowing what signs to watch for and how those leaks start makes it easier to stay ahead of the problem.

If anything in your home feels off, especially in rooms with colder floors or rising water bills, your plumbing may be trying to warn you. Don’t wait for water to show up above ground. Use proven inspections and maintenance plans to protect your home year-round.

If you’re in Frisco and notice signs of a slab leak, call 214-430-7747 to schedule expert service. We know how to pinpoint problems under concrete without wrecking your floors and fix them like we would in our own homes.
If you’ve noticed cold spots on your floor or other unusual signs underfoot, don’t wait around and hope they go away. Quick action can save your foundation and your budget. Our slab leak detection service in Frisco can help catch the issue before it gets worse. Call Smith and Son Plumbing at 214-430-7747 to schedule a same-day inspection and get peace of mind faster.