Why slab leaks are common here
Central Texas's expansive clay soils shrink in drought and swell with rain. Slabs flex, and pipes under or in them take the stress. That's why slab leaks and failed drain hydrostatic tests are routine along the I-35 corridor.
Option 1: Spot repair
Break the slab (or tunnel) at the leak and repair it. Typical range: $1,500–$4,500 plus flooring. Best for a single leak in otherwise healthy pipe.
Option 2: Reroute
Abandon the leaking line and run a new one overhead. Often similar in cost to a spot repair, avoids breaking floors, and removes that line from future slab risk.
Option 3: Repipe
Replace the supply system, usually through the attic. Best for repeat leaks, older copper or polybutylene. See our PEX vs copper guide.
Drain leaks are different
A failed hydrostatic test on drains doesn't automatically mean a full replacement. Camera inspection and isolation testing locate the failure; tunneling may beat breaking the slab inside the house.
Insurance
Many Texas policies cover access and resulting damage but not the pipe itself. Read the "tear out" language. Our slab leak consultation includes documentation useful for claims.