In Apex, a slab leak is a pressurized water line leaking under a concrete floor, and even the town's very new homes can have one from a damaged pipe or failed fitting. The fix is a spot repair through the slab or a new line run above it, and Apex requires a permit even for same-size water line replacement. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Apex.
Apex conditions that matter
Apex has some of the newest housing in the Triangle. The median home was built in 2008 and under 4% predate 1980, per Census survey data. That rules out a lot of the age-related failures seen in older towns, but it doesn't rule out slab leaks. A supply line that was kinked, scraped against gravel or pressed tight against the slab edge during construction can wear through after a decade or more of pressure and temperature changes. Many newer homes use plastic supply pipe, which handles that differently than copper but can still fail at fittings.
The Town of Apex owns and maintains the public side of the service line, and the property owner owns the private side, including any pipe under the house. Apex water comes from Jordan Lake through the Cary/Apex plant, is moderately soft (about 1.9 grains per gallon) and is chloraminated with a spring chlorine switchover. Apex is also strict about permits: its guidance says permits are needed for same-size water and drain line replacement, not just new work.
Repair approaches side by side
| Open the slab | Reroute above the floor | |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete work | Yes, a small section is cut and patched | No, the buried run is abandoned |
| Wall or ceiling work | Usually none | Some drywall opened and repaired |
| Flooring impact | Flooring over the leak is removed and restored | Flooring stays in place |
| Good choice when | Leak is pinpointed under easy-to-replace flooring | Leak is under tile, hardwood or cabinets |
What to watch for
- A bill that rises from one cycle to the next with no extra use
- The meter turning while all fixtures and the irrigation system are off
- One warm area on tile or a concrete floor
- Damp carpet edges or stained baseboards on interior walls
Seasonal notes
Apex lawn irrigation runs through a backflow assembly between the meter and the sprinklers, so a slow irrigation leak can look like a house leak on the bill. Turn the irrigation off before a meter test. Winter makes hot-line slab leaks easier to feel through a cold floor. Any time of year, Apex Building Inspections and Permitting is the office for the permit, and the plumber should pull it before the repair.
Slab Leak Repair questions in Apex
Our house is fairly new. Why would it already have a slab leak?
Does slab leak work need a permit, and who issues it?
Who pays to fix a leak between the water meter and my house?
What's the simplest way to use the water meter to check for a leak I can't see?
More plumbing services in Apex
Slab Leak Repair nearby
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