How to Fix Leaking Pipes
When a pipe springs a leak, the situation can get out of control fast. You don't want spraying water to wreak havoc and lead to huge repair bills. Here are quick fixes to control the damage and keep your water running while you're arranging for a proper repair. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Compression Coupling
- Rubber Sheet
- Stainless-steel Hose Clamp Or C-clamp
- Two-part Epoxy Putty
- Disposable Gloves
- Pliers
- Putty Knife
- Fiberglass-tape Repair Kit
- Hacksaw Or Pipe Cutter With Plastic Cutting Wheel
- Screwdriver Or Socket Wrench
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Instructions
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1
Turn off the water at the main valve.
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2
Open the faucets on the water line to relieve pressure. For all but clamp-type repairs, you must drain water from the pipe by opening the faucets or bleed valves located below the leak.
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Superfast fixes
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3
Wrap a piece of rubber around the leaking joint, then apply a stainless-steel hose clamp (see A). Tighten the clamp with a screwdriver or socket wrench. If you don't have a hose clamp, use another type, such as a C-clamp, to secure the rubber over the leak.
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4
Soak water-activated fiberglass-resin tape (sold in a repair kit for just this purpose) in water, wrap it around the leak and smooth it with gloved hands. Allow it to cure as directed before restoring the water.
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5
For leaks around fittings, dry the surface, mix two-part epoxy putty and apply it over and around the leak (see B). Allow curing time as directed before restoring the water.
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6
For leaks in PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or PB (polybutylene) plastic pipes, use a hacksaw or pipe cutter with a plastic-cutting wheel to cut out a section of pipe long enough to allow you to slip in a compression coupling. Tighten the coupling by hand and snug it with pliers.
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Tips & Warnings
You can't make emergency repairs if you don't have the materials on hand, so make sure you're stocked up.
Work carefully with hot-water lines to avoid injury or burns.
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Comments
View all 6 Comments-
Diane Reygan
Oct 28, 2010
there is a pipe in my airing cupboard the pipes are only 15 years old so not really old, the cold water pipe has just decided to develop a hole the size of a pin head, must have been leaking for a while as it has just started to come though the ceiling in my living room and through the fire alarm, why does it happen and what could have caused it?
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evuser14891
Oct 21, 2010
@wmmoreno - Polybutylene pipes cannot be glued. You may be able to affect a temporary repair at a puncture by driving a suitable sheet metal screw into the hole as a plug. If it is a crack, the only option is to cut out the damaged section and splice in a patch of the same type of polybutylene pipe. The same would be true of PEX tubing (cross-linked polyethylene). The only potable water pipes that can be repaired with glue are PVC or CPVC.
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watershutoff
Sep 18, 2010
What do I do if I wanted to replace the broken piece instead of a quick fix?
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ask123
Dec 28, 2009
Do you have to make the drain pipe repair from above (through floor of upstairs apartment) or can you make from below (in the ceiling of the apartment where the leaky drain pipe is? Anyone know? Thanks!
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wmmoreno
Nov 04, 2007
Is there a way to repair polybutylene pipes by appyling a coating either inside or outside the pipe?
