How Much Does Slab Leak Repair Cost in 2025?

This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.

Slab leak repair tackles the hidden plumbing problems lurking beneath your foundation. Most homeowners spend an average of $2,280, with a range of $630 to $4,400. Your total comes down to the repair method, labor rates, and any extra work the foundation pro uncovers along the way. Build room in your budget—if the root cause isn’t fixed, you could face repeat repairs down the road.

Slab Leak Detection Cost

Plan to spend $280 to pinpoint a slab leak, though most homeowners pay between $150 and $400. A slab leak occurs when water leaks from pipes beneath your home's foundation or concrete slab.

Common causes of slab leaks include:

• Poor installation: Incorrectly installed pipes can malfunction, leading to damage.

• Ground shifts: Soil movement or earthquakes can cause pipes to crack.

• Corroded pipes: Minerals in the soil and water can cause pipes to corrode over time.

Signs of a Slab Leak

• Warm or damp floors

• Standing water

• Sudden changes in water pressure

• Unusually high water bills

• Hearing running water when no fixtures are in use

Spot any of these red flags? Call a licensed plumber right away. Professionals rely on specialized equipment to locate and repair slab leaks with precision.

Cost by Repair Type

A professional will select a repair method based on the location of the leak, the condition of the slab, and the local soil composition.

Slab Repair

The average cost of concrete slab repair work ranges from $300 to $6,750. However, if your slab requires a complete replacement, you could be looking at foundation installation costs between $50,000 and $100,000. While not all homeowners will need total replacement, slabs requiring hefty repair costs or concrete that’s beyond repair will require a new pour.

Water Line or Main Repair

Your home's water supply is provided by its main water line. Depending on the extent of the damage and the repair method required, fixing a leak from this line can cost between $150 and $5,000.

Broken or Burst Pipe

Fixing a broken pipe costs between $200 and $3,000. However, it’s challenging to determine an exact price because the actual costs depend on leak detection fees, the type of pipe, the method used to access the pipe, and the severity of the damage.

Foundation Work

Rerouting your plumbing lines under a slab costs between $600 and $4,000. When homeowners prefer to keep their slab foundation intact, they might choose to reroute their lines elsewhere. Depending on what your plumber finds underneath, they may recommend abandoning the leaking line and installing a new one—either above ground, through the walls, or in the attic.

Additional Slab Leak Repair Cost Factors

Slab leak repair costs are influenced by multiple factors that determine the total cost of fixing this issue. 

Labor costs

Labor for slab leak repair ranges from $500 to $4,000—or $75 to $150 per hour—and accounts for the bulk of the bill, as slab leak repair is a time-consuming process.

Leak severity

Complex slab leaks with extensive damage will result in increased labor and material costs.

Additional Repairs

Be prepared for extra expenses if your plumber discovers water damage or foundation issues during the repair process. Common add-on repairs you’ll incur include:

• Foundation stabilization in the form of underpinning for slabs costs $2,500 per pier or a total of $5,000 to $10,000 if the slab has settled excessively.

• Repairing water damage costs anywhere from $500 for a minor subfloor repair to $15,000 or more for extensive damage.

• Treating the underlying cause of a slab leak could cost anywhere from nothing at all to as much as $15,000 for substantial drainage or soil-expansion mitigation (for example, installing a French drain). 

• Simple waterproofing applications can cost $200 for a small area.

DIY Slab Leak Repair vs. Hiring a Pro

Slab leak repairs demand specialized tools and know-how. A DIY attempt can cause bigger damage and serious safety risks. Hiring a licensed plumbing professional is the safest and most reliable route.

Given the complexity, stick with a licensed, insured plumber near you. Professionals have the expertise and equipment to diagnose the leak, repair it permanently, and prevent future damage.

Contact a local foundation repair professional today for a safe and lasting solution.

Budgeting for Slab Leak Repair

To keep slab leak repairs within budget, consider the following tips:

• Contact a professional at the first sign of a problem to prevent it from worsening.

• Compare quotes from multiple plumbers to find the best rate.

• Find and repair the underlying cause of the leak to prevent future issues.

• Request a re-route rather than repairing existing pipes.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.