Slab Leak Repair Options: Spot Repair, Reroute, Epoxy Lining or Repipe
There is more than one way to fix a slab leak, and the right one depends on the pipe, the floor and how many leaks you have. Here is how each option works, what it costs you in disruption, and when it makes sense.
The four options at a glance
| Option | How it works | Best when | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spot repair | Open the slab over the leak and replace that section of pipe | One leak, pipe otherwise sound, floor easy to patch | Other worn sections of old pipe stay in place |
| Reroute | Abandon the leaking line and run a new one through walls or the attic | Leak under a hard-to-open floor, or the line keeps failing | Drywall and paint patches |
| Epoxy lining | Coat the inside of the existing pipe | Several small leaks in pipe that is still sound | Does not suit every pipe, fitting or leak |
| Repipe | Replace the whole supply system | Repeated leaks or pipes near the end of their life | Largest job and the most patching |
For published price ranges, see the slab leak repair cost guide. The leak has to be located first.
Spot repair
We open the concrete directly over the confirmed leak, cut out the damaged section of pipe, replace it, test it, then backfill and pour new concrete. Flooring is patched or replaced over it.
- Good for: a single leak in an otherwise healthy line.
- Watch for: in an older line, a second leak can appear later in another spot.
- Disruption: dust, noise and a patched area of floor.
Reroute
Instead of breaking the slab, we cap and abandon the leaking line and run a new one through the walls or attic to the same fixtures. The old line stays in the slab, sealed off.
- Good for: leaks under tile, stone or finished floors that are hard to open, and lines that have leaked more than once.
- Watch for: drywall cuts and paint, plus a longer job than a spot repair.
- Ask about: permits and inspection for new piping.
Epoxy lining
Epoxy lining cleans the inside of the pipe and coats it to seal pinholes and reinforce thin spots, working from access points at the ends of the run.
- Good for: pipe that is corroded in several places but still round and intact.
- Not for: pipes that are split, fittings that are failing, or lines in poor condition. Inspection decides.
- Ask: whether the coating is certified for drinking water (NSF/ANSI 61) and what warranty backs it.
Repipe
A repipe replaces the home’s supply lines, usually with copper or PEX, and moves them out of the slab. It is the biggest job, and sometimes the one that ends the leak problem.
- Good for: repeated leaks, or pipes at the end of their service life.
- Watch for: wall and ceiling patching, and a project that can take days.
- Ask about: pipe material, warranty and permit and inspection.
How to choose
- One leak, healthy pipe, easy floor: spot repair is usually enough.
- Hard-to-open floor, or a second leak: ask for reroute pricing.
- Several pinholes in sound pipe: ask whether epoxy lining is suitable and what it is warranted for.
- Pipes at the end of their life: ask for a repipe price and compare it to repeated repairs.
A good plumber tells you which option they would pick for your house and why, and says when the cheaper one is enough.
Permits in Pomona
The City of Pomona Building and Safety Division publishes a plumbing permit handout (November 2024) under the 2025 California Plumbing Code. It requires permits for items such as new drain, waste and vent piping, new or replacement water heaters, and gas lines, and it exempts some leak repairs that do not involve replacing or rearranging pipes. It does not name water supply line reroutes or repipes, so confirm what your job needs with the City before work starts. We tell you which parts of your job need one.
Frequently asked questions
Which repair lasts longest?
A repipe replaces the worn pipe, so it gives the longest fix when the whole system is aging. A spot repair fixes the one leak in front of you and leaves the rest as it was.
Can the old pipe just stay in the slab?
Yes. In a reroute, the old line is capped and abandoned in place, and the new line carries water instead.
Is epoxy lining a permanent fix?
It depends on the pipe and the job. Ask what the coating is rated for and what warranty comes with it.
Do I have to move out for a repair?
Usually no for a spot repair or reroute, though water is off for part of the day. A repipe is more disruptive; ask about the schedule.
Will my floor match afterward?
Often it will not match exactly, especially tile or wood in older homes. Ask what the plan is for patching and what is excluded.
Sources: City of Pomona, Plumbing Permit handout
Keep reading
Need slab leak repair Pomona homeowners can book? See our slab leak repair Pomona page for how we work, or call (909) 415-2610.
Water running, or a warm spot on the floor?
Shut off the main if water is visible, then call. A Pomona plumber will tell you what to do next.
Call (909) 415-2610More on slab leaks
- Slab Leak vs Water Heater Leak: How to Tell Which It Is
- Whole-House Repipe After a Slab Leak: When It Makes Sense
- High Water Bill? How to Tell If a Slab Leak Is the Cause
- PEX vs Copper for a Repipe: How to Choose
- Selling a Home With a Slab Leak: Options for Sellers
- Browse the full slab leak guide
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