Slab Leak in a New Home? How to Use Your Builder Warranty in Texas

A slab leak in a brand-new home feels wrong. You bought new construction partly to avoid plumbing problems. But new homes do leak, usually not because pipes wore out, but because something went wrong during construction. The good news is that new homes typically come with a builder warranty, and a leak found early is often covered. This guide explains why new homes leak, how to document the problem, and how to work with your builder. It is general information; your warranty documents control what is covered.

Why new homes leak

In a new slab home, plumbing is laid in trenches, pressure-tested, inspected, and then the concrete is poured. Problems can come from:

• Fittings that were not made correctly, such as a poorly crimped PEX connection that holds for a while and then weeps.
• Pipe damage during construction, such as a nick from a shovel, a puncture from a stake or rebar, or a kink.
• Damage during the pour, when concrete, equipment and workers move around the plumbing.
• Settling of the pad and slab during the first seasons, which can stress pipes, especially in expansive clay.
• Pipes rubbing against sharp aggregate or edges where they pass through concrete.

Many of these are workmanship issues, which is exactly what builder warranties are designed to address.

Typical Texas builder warranties

Texas builders commonly provide a limited warranty with tiers, often something like one year for workmanship and materials, two years for systems such as plumbing, electrical and HVAC, and up to ten years for major structural components. Terms vary widely between builders and third-party warranty companies, and some exclude certain items or require specific procedures. Read your warranty booklet carefully, and note deadlines.

Signs of a leak in a new home

• A water bill that seems too high for your household.
• The meter moving when everything is off.
• A warm spot on the floor.
• Damp carpet or flooring near a wall.
• The sound of running water.

In new homes, leak signs sometimes appear within the first year or two, when the house and soil are still settling.

Step 1: Confirm the leak

Do a meter test. Turn off every fixture and appliance, including irrigation, which in new homes is often on an automatic timer. Read the meter, wait one to two hours, and read it again. If your home has a PEX manifold, you can close the manifold valves one at a time to see which line stops the meter. Our guide on PEX pipe leaks in newer homes explains how.

Step 2: Notify the builder in writing

As soon as you suspect a leak, notify the builder through its warranty process, usually an online portal or email address in your warranty booklet. Include:

• Your address and closing date.
• What you observed and when.
• Meter test results.
• Photos.
• A request for inspection and repair.

Keep a copy. Written notice protects your warranty rights, especially if a deadline is approaching.

Step 3: Ask how they want it handled

Builders handle warranty leaks differently. Some send their own plumbing subcontractor. Others accept an independent detection report. Ask:

• Will you send someone to locate the leak, and when?
• Will you accept a report from an independent detection company?
• Who will repair it, and how will flooring and finishes be restored?
• How is resulting water damage handled under the warranty?

If you hire an independent detection company without the builder's agreement, the builder may not reimburse you. Get their position in writing first.

Step 4: Get the leak documented

Whoever does the detection, ask for a written report showing the line, the location, how it was confirmed and photos. Our slab leak detection overview explains what a thorough report includes. That document protects you if questions come up later about cause or scope.

Step 5: Protect your home in the meantime

If the leak is significant, close the main shut-off or the manifold valve for the leaking line. Dry damp areas with fans and dehumidifiers. Photograph any damage to flooring or belongings.

Resulting damage

Builder warranties often cover the repair of the defect itself and may cover resulting damage to the home, such as flooring, but terms vary. Your homeowners insurance may also respond to sudden water damage. If both apply, coordinate: tell your insurer about the warranty claim and vice versa.

What a warranty repair visit usually looks like

When the builder's plumber comes out, expect them to confirm the leak with a pressure test and then locate it, sometimes with their own detection equipment and sometimes with a specialist they bring in. Once the leak is found, they will propose a repair: a direct repair through a small opening at the mark, or a reroute of that line overhead, which is common with PEX manifold systems. Ask which approach they plan and how they will restore flooring, baseboards and any other finishes. If flooring has to be replaced, ask how they will handle matching, since new-home finishes are often easier to match than older ones. Before they leave, ask for a written description of the repair and a final meter test to confirm the leak is gone.

Disputes with the builder

Most warranty claims are resolved without trouble. If a builder denies a claim you believe is covered, ask for the reason in writing and the warranty provision relied on. Many warranties include a dispute resolution process, sometimes through the third-party warranty company. Keep all documentation, including your detection report, photos, meter tests and correspondence. For significant disputes, a real estate attorney can explain your options under the warranty and Texas law.

If the warranty has expired

If your home is past the plumbing warranty period, you may still have options:

• Ask the builder anyway; some address issues outside warranty as goodwill.
• Check whether a third-party structural warranty applies if the leak caused foundation issues.
• Contact your homeowners insurer about resulting damage.
• Use a precise detection report to get repair quotes.

A note on new-home settlement

New slabs on expansive clay go through their first wet and dry cycles in the first couple of years. Some cosmetic cracking is normal. But cracks combined with leak signs warrant a plumbing check. Do a meter test after the first summer and the first wet season.

Keep your records

Store your warranty booklet, closing documents, any plumbing layout or manifold labels, and all warranty correspondence in one place. Photograph the manifold labels and the water heater connections now, while everything is new and clearly marked.

Your builder's walk-through and 11-month inspection

Many Texas builders schedule a walk-through near the end of the first year, sometimes called an 11-month inspection, to catch items before the one-year workmanship warranty expires. Some homeowners hire an independent inspector for this visit. It is a good time to do a meter test, check for warm or damp spots, review your water usage history, and list anything unusual. If the inspector or you suspect a plumbing issue, report it in writing before the deadline, even if you have not confirmed it yet. That puts the builder on notice while coverage is still in effect.

When the builder's plumber and you disagree

Occasionally, a builder's subcontractor tests the system and finds nothing, while your bills and meter still suggest a leak. If that happens, ask for the test results in writing, including what was tested and the readings. Ask whether drains were tested, since drain leaks do not show on the meter. If you still believe there is a leak, an independent detection report can provide a second opinion. Share it with the builder and ask them to review it before the warranty period ends.

This comes up often in fast-growing cities like Kyle, Hutto and Buda, where many homes are still inside their builder warranty period.

The bottom line

Slab leaks in new Texas homes usually come from fittings or construction damage, which builder warranties are designed to cover. Confirm the leak with a meter test, notify your builder in writing right away, ask how they want it located and repaired, and get a written detection report. Protect your home in the meantime and keep every document. If you need help locating a leak, find your city to book a licensed Texas plumber. Our slab leak FAQs answer common questions about cost and timing.