How to Fix a Leaky Water Pipe

Soldering copper tubing and fittings is not too hard.

Fixing a leaky water pipe can be very easy, or it can be very difficult, depending on a number of factors. What type of pipe material? Where is the leak? Is it accessible? And more.

Things You'll Need

• As noted

Instructions

1. Where is the leaky water pipe?
   If your leaky water pipe is readily accessible, the repair job will be that much easier; if not, some steps might need to be taken to gain access to it. For purposes of this article, we'll assume it is accessible without needing to cut or remove sections of wallboard.

2. What kind of material is the leaky water pipe made of?
   There are a few very different kinds of material used for water pipes. The most common today is likely to be copper, although some plastics are gaining popularity as well. We will discuss repairing copper tubing leaks in this article. Some of the steps here are similar for any material type, but the actual repair of the leak will be different for plastics.

3. Preparation:
   Once you have located the leaky copper water pipe, assess the job as to how you will get clear access to it; keeping in mind that you will possibly need to cut the pipe at one or more locations, depending on just where the leak occurred. If the leak is at a fitting, you might need to replace that fitting, unless you can re-solder it in place. If the leak is somewhere along a pipe itself, you will need to cut out the damaged section and replace it with new.

4. Drain the water supply line:
   In order to fix a leaky copper water pipe, you need to drain all the water from the area of the leak. Do that by shutting off either the main water supply valve or, if another in-line valve exists ahead of your leak, you can isolate the leak by shutting that off.

   Then, open up some faucets downstream of the leak, to allow residual pressure and water to flow out of the line. Unless you have some faucets that are physically lower than the leaky water pipe, the pipe will undoubtedly retain some water in it. If you do not have faucets lower than the line, you will need to use a bucket to catch whatever water is remaining; once you cut into the pipe to replace the leaky segment.
   Note: If you are unable to remove the water from the area of the leak, you will not be able to re-solder it, since soldering with water inside just does not work well. You might need to cut the pipe to allow all water to drain out.

5. Making the repair by re-soldering:
   Once you have the water drained from the leaky area of the water pipe, you are ready to make the repairs. If the leak occurred at a fitting, you can attempt to re-solder that fitting.

   First, using a small wire brush, clean the solder-joint area as much as possible; all around the pipe. Apply a small amount of soldering flux with a small brush or swab, to help prepare the area for solder adherence. Using a propane (or other) torch and a roll of non-lead solder, and wearing the necessary protective gear, heat up the fitting itself, then apply new solder so it gets sucked up into the joint. If it appears that the solder is not being drawn into the joint, this approach might not be feasible. In such cases, see next step.

6. Making the repair by replacing:
   If you are unable to re-solder a leaky pipe at a joint; or, if the leak is in the pipe itself, you will need to cut out and replace a section.

   Using a tubing cutter or hacksaw, cut the pipe on either side of the leak. Note: Be sure to have your bucket handy if you think there is still any water in the line!

   With some emery cloth or sandpaper, clean up the two exposed ends of the remaining water pipe, in preparation to receive new "coupling" fittings.

   Cut a new piece of copper to the length needed to replace what you removed. Clean ends with emery cloth; apply soldering flux to both ends. Clean inside two couplings, apply soldering flux inside, and place onto new section of pipe. Place the entire assembly into the space where you removed the leaky section of pipe.

   Using a propane (or other) torch with non-lead solder, heat up the two new couplings and apply the solder so it is drawn into the coupling fittings at the new connections. Allow to cool.

7. Testing it out:
   After you have successfully re-soldered your leaky water pipe, you need to test it out. Do this by having a friend or family member slowly turn the main water shutoff (or other isolating) valve back on. If you see no water escaping, you must have done it right!

   For additional home-maintenance and home-repair articles, see links below.

Tips & Warnings

• For detailed instructions about soldering copper tubing and fittings, see the link below.

• Clean, clean clean! Good soldering depends on clean materials.

• Follow all manufacturers' recommendations and guidelines for safe use, handling, installation, operation and maintenance of tools, equipment, and products.

• Practice safe ladder use.

• Use appropriate personal protective gear.

• Watch out for fires when using torches around any combustible materials.

Resources

• How to sweat copper tubing and fittings
• Fixing a Leaking Water Heater
• Installing a Safe Dryer Vent
• Dealing with Musty Basement Issues
• Removing Water-based Paint from Carpet
• Removing Oil-based Paint from Carpet
• Replacing Combination Window Screens
• Painting Ceilings
• Repairing a Toilet Flushing Glitch
• Becoming a HandyPerson
• Repairing Damaged Deck Boards
• Identify and Shut Off Water Supply
• Fixing a Sticky Drawer
• Repairing Squeaky Hinges
• Caulking a Bathtub with Silicone
• Washing Aluminum or Vinyl Siding
• Quing-It.com-Product Ingredient Information