How to Drill a Hole Into Concrete to Repair a Slab Leak

Find the leak's location. Look for a damp spot in the carpet or feel for a warm spot on the floor. Call a professional to locate the leak if you can't pinpoint it on your own. Then mark the leak's location with masking tape.

Pull up any flooring directly over the leak, but remove the least amount of flooring as possible. For example, chisel up only one to a few tiles; cut a square piece out of the carpet with a utility knife; or pull up one to two wood planks.

Put on all safety gear -- goggles, long sleeve pants and shirt, steel-toe boots, ear protection and gloves.

Drill through the concrete slab using a jackhammer or a drill with concrete bit. Most slabs are about 4 inches thick. Drill through the entire slab and create an opening large enough for your hand -- a 5 by 5 inch hole is sufficient to fit most hands.

To use a jackhammer, plug the tool into the power outlet. Insert the spade bit into the mouth of the jackhammer with your hand. Stand with the jackhammer centered between your legs; don't lean it toward or away from you. Place a hand on each handle. Position the tip in the center of the hole, hold it straight up, then depress the power tab. Hold the jackhammer steady as it pushes into the concrete. Use the hammer to remove small bits of concrete at a time.

For a drill, grip the handle with one hand, place the tip of the drill into the center of the hole and depress the trigger. Place medium pressure on the drill to prevent it from wobbling. Remove small chunks of concrete at a time.

Remove bits of concrete with a shovel.

Reach down through the hole in the slab and feel for the leak. When you've found the leak, touch the closest pipe -- this is most likely producing the leak.

Turn the water valve at the main to the "Off" position.

Smooth epoxy putty over the crack in the pipe. Immerse pipe wrap in cool water for 30 seconds, then roll the pipe wrap around the pipe to block the leak. Then smooth the included resin around the wrap and massage the resin into the wrap until it hardens.

Turn the water back on after waiting at least 30 minutes for the wrap to seal the crack. Leave the hole open for a few days to verify that the leak is now sealed.

Mix a bag of concrete according to the label directions and fill the hole with the wet concrete. Level and smooth the concrete with a wooden hand float. Then allow it to dry and cure for several days.

Secure the cut piece of carpet over the bare concrete with construction adhesive. Alternatively, regrout the tile pieces, or lay the wood planks back down.