The short answer
If a repair includes a lift, the pipes under the house should be tested before and after. ASCE’s Texas Section says water supply and drain lines should be tested for leaks when a repair includes jacking or lifting, and that leaks found should be repaired. A foundation can look like it’s moving from soil when a pipe is the cause, and a lift can break a pipe that was fine.
How a leak moves a foundation
Under a slab on San Antonio clay, a steady leak keeps one patch wet while the surrounding soil follows the weather. Wet clay swells and lifts the slab there; around it, dry clay shrinks. The result is uneven movement. The FPA says leaking lines can cause the pier to move, and a Texas licensing bulletin notes wet expansive soil will heave when wet, settle when dry.
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Signs that point to a leak
- A water bill that climbs with no change in use. The ASCE Geo-Institute’s guide says to monitor water bills.
- A warm spot on the floor, or the sound of running water when everything is off.
- A wet or soft patch beside the slab edge.
- Heave in one area rather than settlement.
The tests and what they show
| Test | What it does | Who runs it |
|---|---|---|
| Meter check | Shut off all water and see if the meter still moves | You |
| Hydrostatic test | Plugs the drain lines, fills them with water, watches for a drop | A plumber |
| Pressure test | Checks supply lines for drops in pressure | A plumber |
| Electronic or camera locating | Finds where a leak sits | A leak-detection specialist |
The Texas Real Estate Commission’s addendum for buyers lets them hire a licensed plumber to run a hydrostatic test. Texas law bars anyone other than a responsible master plumber from doing plumbing work, as Occupations Code §1301.351 describes it.
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Test before the lift, and after
A test before the lift tells you whether a leak is part of the cause and whether piers alone would fix it. A test after tells you whether the lift stressed any pipes. Ask your contractor for both and for the results in writing. ASCE says a leak found after a lift should be repaired, not noted.
Who can repair the pipes, and the permit
Pipe repair is plumbing work for a licensed plumber, not a foundation crew’s side job. In Schertz, the foundation permit lists plumbing repair and final inspections that may require additional permitting. Plumbing done during a foundation repair can need its own permit, so ask who pulls each one.
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Insurance: what to do first
TDI warns that an insurer might may deny claim if you make permanent repairs before the company sees the damage, and says most companies have claim deadlines, with some policies at one year. Take photos, stop the water and call the insurer before repairs.
Where this fits in a repair plan
A good plan lists a plumbing test as a line, says who runs it, and says what happens if it fails. If you’d rather start there, a leak test is cheaper than piers and can tell you if piers are the answer.