The holes and cracks in the pipe won’t only leak water but also costly problems. If not fixed immediately, the leak may create a huge mess that will be hard and expensive to clean up.
To minimize the problems caused by leaky pipes, here are some things you can do while waiting for a pipe leak repair and installation service provider to arrive and offer a lasting solution.
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Shut Off the Main Water Supply
Some sealants need the pipe to be dry to work. So go and find the main shutoff valve and turn it off by turning it clockwise. The valve is usually located in the basement or crawlspace. You will also need to do this if the damaged pipe is leaking a massive amount of water. If possible, you can also call your water supplier and ask them if they can shut off the water going to your property.
Dry the Leaking Area
You’ll need to dry the leaking area to apply sealants effectively. To drain the pipe, you can turn on the lowest faucet or the faucet connected to the leaking pipe. It would be best if you turned the faucet on until the water run dry. Use a dry cloth o dry the area around the hole or crack.
Patch Up the Leak with Epoxy Putty
Epoxy putty comes as a preformatted stick or is separated into two parts. It will start out with a clay-like consistency and harden as you mix the two parts. After mixing the epoxy putty, you’ll have a very strong material. If you choose epoxy putty to fix your leaky pipe, make sure that the leaky part of the pipe is completely dry.
Epoxy putty, like other solutions in this article, will less likely to last long. It’s best to still find and hire a pipe leak repair and installation company in your area.
Fix the Leak with a Pipe Repair Tape
The best pipe repair tape is made from self-fusing silicone. It’s easy to use. All you have to do is wrap the tape around the pipe to cover the hole or crack. This is an ideal solution for homeowners who cannot turn the water pressure off or for businesses that require constant water to operate.
Use a Pipe Leak Repair Clamp
A pipe leak repair clamp is a pre-rolled stainless steel plate with a rubber lining. It’s effective for sealing holes and breaks in asbestos cement and cast-iron pipes, cracks in PVC pipes, and corrosion leaks, to mention a few. To fix the leaking pipe, all you have to do is put the rubber part over the hole or crack and then tighten the nuts and screws to fix the clamp in the leaky area of the pipe.
Wrap the Leaky Pipe
Another material that you can use to patch up a leaky pipe is pipe wrap. It is usually easily accessible. As your local hardware store if they offer this product. As the name indicates, the application process involves wrapping the product around the damaged area. Most pipe wraps are designed to repair pipes with elbows, flanges, t-joints, valves, etc.
Use a Pencil Tip
If the hole is small, you can use a pencil tip as a temporary fix. Sharpen a pencil, stick its tip into the pipe’s hole, break the tip-off, and leave it lodged in the pipe hole. Get duct tape and wrap it around the damaged area of the pipe. This solution can only last for a while. Still, contact a plumber immediately or use the products mentioned above if you can’t get in touch with a plumber yet.
If you notice a leak, no matter how small it is, you should fix it immediately. Otherwise, you’ll be wasting gallons of water and spending more money on water bills.
The solutions to a leaking pipe mentioned above can only last so long. It’s best to still call in a professional plumber for pipe leak repair and installation. It could also save you some hassle if you keep the contact information of a trusted plumbing contractor. If you’re looking for one in Chicago, check out Goode Plumbing. The company has been in the plumbing industry for over 200 years.
