How do i fix a sewage leak underneath the slab 2 1/2 feet?

Question

How do i fix a sewage leak underneath the slab 2 1/2 feet?

Answer 1

Well, if you are sure that the leak is underneath the slab, there is no other way than to cut the concrete, remove, fix the leak, and concrete again.

Answer 2

Do you mean 2 1/2 feet from the edge or 2 1/2 feet down from the bottom of the slab? If the edge then just start digging otherwise you will have to break up the slab.

Answer 3

Had same unfortunate experience.

As mentioned you will have to break the slab & trench until you find the leak, or if you are very lucky ,might be able to dig from outside.

No other way to assess damage until you open things up.

If raw sewage is coming to the surface under  the subfloor it is a smelly mess that must be dealt with.for health reasons.

I hired a plumber & had the broken pipe replaced, rerouted the lines & added cleanouts  inside & outside the house.

Any contaminated soil must be removed & replaced w/  a new bed of clean crushed stone fill before the slab is patched.

Hopefully ,your break is near an outside wall & trenching will be minimal.

Mine was not & it took close to a week to make repairs , remove the muck , refill the trench & pour new concrete.

No way around it.

Be prepared for the  mess  & have plenty of  floor protection along  to & from  the  path to the break to remove debris & bring in new fill & concrete.

Did get some assistance from home insurance , but It was still a costly repair.

Take photos of any evidence of damage caused by the leak as well as photos of sub flooring floor coverings that were destroyed by the leak & necessary  repairs  while underway .

It will help w/ any claim & verify  the work & materials used.as  listed on any receipts for work performed.

If you DIY or contract the work out, hope for the best , but be prepared

for the worst.

Best regards

Answer 4

Rent a Jackhammer, or do it the old fashioned way with a pick and shovel, the concrete has to come up so does the urethane under the slab then you get to the earth which must be dug up to the sewer line about 2-5 ft. under slab, it is imperative you know exactly where this leak is because this is extremely expensive and labor intensive you should get sewer camara and locator for this to see damage first hand and locate it within 1 foot. normally the p-trap is the failing piece unless you have trees in which case it is the pipe closest to the aforementioned tree