Cast iron is incredibly strong and can be long-lasting, but cast iron sewer pipes are a different case altogether. It’s impossible to care for pipes that are buried underground and have waste and water running through them.

The combination of water and pipes almost always results in rust and rust buildup. After decades of use, it’s natural for the materials that run through these pipes to stick to and build up along the inside walls of the pipes. With this buildup then comes slow drains, clogs, and stoppages. And everyone’s experienced a slow drain from time to time so if any chemical drain cleaners are used, those contribute greatly to the corroding of your pipes.

Pipe deterioration can lead to water damage, water back-ups in the house, clogged or slow drains, leaking sewage, pest infestation, and possible health risks to building occupants

Florida homes are susceptible to cast iron pipe corrosion and leaks because of the salt and moisture rich environment.  Residents are finding that their insurance companies are not covering costs related to water damage or leaking sewage. A sewer backup into the home can be particularly detrimental to your property as well as to your health because you could potentially be exposed to harsh chemical additives, bacteria, and pathogens 

Just because you have not seen water damage as a result of leaking from cast iron pipes does not mean that they are not leaking. Cast iron pipes are under your concrete slab and behind your walls. Leaks can start as a pinhole before they gradually become bigger.  Pinhole leaks may go one for some time before they are noticed when the leak becomes larger creating noticeable water damage. This is especially true for leaks under your concrete slab foundation.

 Again, just because you do not see water damage does not mean your cast iron pipes are not failing.

Are Broken Pipes Under Slab Covered?

The earlier any under slab leak detection takes place through a plumbing inspection, the better the chances that such damage can be covered by your insurance policy.

A standard homeowners policy will usually reimburse the amount for tearing out and pouring the new slab in order that the pipes can be repaired, however, most of the carriers are not going to cover the cost to fix the broken pipes. And the slab leak needs to be resultant of a peril that is covered by your policy in order to provide any coverage for the damages that have happened to the structure or contents.

Can slab leaks be prevented?

You may not be able to prevent slab leaks caused by Mother Nature’s wrath, but there are still a few preventive steps you can take as a homeowner to help avoid slab leaks — and really expensive repair bills.

1. Maintain proper water pressure for your house’s pipelines. We all love high water pressure, but if your place’s pipes are too narrow to handle the pressure you’ve set your water at, it can really compromise the pipeline’s integrity over time.
2. Contact a local plumber to test the pH of your home’s water. If it’s too acidic, it’s likely to slowly corrode your pipelines.
3. Be extremely careful of the chemicals you pour down your drain. Certain de-clogging liquids, for instance, often contain very harsh chemicals that compromise not only the environment, but your home’s water pipeline system, too. 

Florida Pipe Lawsuits

Insurance companies are fighting not to pay these claims, and some are even writing this recovery out of their policy. We’ve handled many cast-iron pipe claims and can help you too.

Williams Law, P.A. , we’ll fight for homeowners against insurance companies. We also show homeowners how they can secure funding to replace their cast iron pipes.