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Depending on the severity, a slab leak can go undetected for months or even years, especially if you don’t carry out routine foundation inspections to find foundation leaks early. However, minor leaks are likely to turn into more severe leaks over time, so you might notice increases in water bills and issues with yard drainage, even if the problem is minor.

Your homeowners insurance can cover slab leak repairs, but it really depends on your policy. Some homeowners insurance policies only cover slab leaks caused by natural disasters, while other plans are more comprehensive. You might also want to check your home warranty plan to see if they'll cover the cost of the repairs if one of your appliances caused the leak.

Although the two terms are closely related and often used interchangeably, pier and beam foundations and crawl spaces are different things. A pier and beam foundation is made up of concrete piers and wooden beams and creates a space under the home known as a crawl space. There are several types of foundations that create crawl spaces, often collectively known as “crawl space foundations,” but the crawl space itself is separate from the foundation. 

Most people consider a French drain to be one of the most effective solutions for foundation leaks, but it’s not always a standalone solution. French drains will help keep water away from your foundation to reduce the risk of leaking and structural damage from soil expansion, but depending on your foundation type and location, you might need other systems or techniques—like soil gradation and gutter and leader installation—to resolve the underlying problem.