That small yet hard to ignore leak far in the background can cause on necessary stress and worry. Nothing can ruin your peace like a water leak, whether it comes in drops or gushes. Leaks can be incredibly damaging. They can stain your ceiling, damage your electrical wiring, ruin appliances, or even cause flooding in your house. Having water pipe leak repair skills can come in quite handy.
While you can always call a professional to fix the problem, you may want to try and see if you can do it on your own first. But what if you haven’t the slightest clue where to start? Here are a few tips to help you repair water pipe leaks.
But Before That
First, be sure to turn the water off from the main water inlet valves right after confirming the exact point where the leak is coming from. You don’t want to repair the water pipe only to find that you missed the spot and have to repeat the process all over again.
Second, know what signs to look for. A water leak doesn’t only show up in the form of puddles, drips, or stains on your walls or ceiling. Sometimes, it can be discolouration on your flooring tiles, moistening of surfaces, or even lifting/chipping of paint.
Now, let’s get fixing.
Pipe Tape
The majority of water pipes in your home are either made of copper or plastic. If you notice a leak in any of your pipes, using pipe tape to seal off the hole or crack can provide a short-term fix.
When a blockage caused by mineral deposits or debris clogs your pipes, water has to find another way out. Usually, the weakest point is near the elbows, tees, or other joints and fittings. It could also be at the point weakened the most by erosion. Whichever point your leak is at, a quick unclogging and pipe tape could help do away with the leak.
Pipe Repair Clamps
For new homeowners, having a pipe repair clamp within reach can save tons of inconvenience, especially if a leak suddenly happens out of nowhere. A pipe repair clamp is a metal tool used to tighten loose fittings on a water pipe. Over time, the elbows, joints, and other fittings connecting two pipes can become loose, often resulting in a leak. This is an essential step in what to do when your pipes burst.
If there’s still leaking after tightening your leaky pipes with clamps, consider using a rubber sheet material to wrap around the area before going back in to tighten the fittings.
Plumbing Epoxy
Plumbing epoxy is a mud-like or Plasticine-like substance that you apply to the affected area to seal it off and keep the water from leaking out. Note that a little bit of plumbing epoxy can go a long way. Use a tiny bit for a tiny leak and a bit more for a larger leak. Wait for it to harden before turning the water back on.
Plumbing epoxy is found in most hardware stores and is ideal for fixing small leaks. It’s advisable to use it on cast iron pipes as opposed to pipes made from other types of material.
All the above tips are convenient to have at your fingertips. However, it’s crucial to note that they are only temporary solutions meant to stop leaks while you plan to call in a professional to get the leaks fixed comprehensively.
As always, if you are at all unsure, contact a qualified professional as soon as possible.
