When it comes to a pipe leak, you want to contain it as soon as possible. Leaks can cause incredible damage inside your home. They may warp flooring, furniture, and walls in just a few minutes. Fixing a leaky pipe takes a bit of know-how but most often can be handled by a DIY enthusiast. Even if you aren’t able to 100% take care of the problem immediately, containing a leak long enough for a professional emergency plumber to arrive can reduce the damage spread significantly. Check out these three ways to fix a leaky pipe!
Pipe Wraps: Versatile and Foolproof Leak Repair Kits
Every homeowner should have a pipe wrap kit in their home. This versatile leak repair kit can be found at nearly every home repair store. A pipe wrap works on a pipe’s leak similar to the way an elastic bandage works on a human’s wound. It’s a flexible material that you wrap around the leaky section of the pipe. Once applied, they harden into a nearly impenetrable patch. The downside of pipe wraps, despite being a wonderful tool, they aren’t necessarily intended for long term use. While they may stop the leaking it’s still a good idea to have a trusted plumber come to assess the plumbing.
Pinhole Pipe Leaks Are No Match for Pipe Clamps
Smaller leaks are well contained using pipe clamps. This $5.00 tool is known for being used in a pinch on high-pressure areas such as ships or airplanes. A pipe clamp is a metal sleeve with a rubber lining. On small pipes like under sink pipes, this sleeve can be wrapped around the pipe itself and secured with two screws. The rubber acts as a stopper and the screws keep the metal sleeve in place, ensuring pressure remains blocking the leak. While pipe clamps will not stop a burst pipe or a large leak, they can be a quick and reliable fix for pinhole leaks.
Fixing Your Leak with Either Epoxy Putty or Paste
In the hardware store, you’re likely to see both epoxy putty or epoxy paste touting leak-fixing abilities. Both work well to fix pipe leaks! They’re different textures, but both work the same way. By smearing the malleable epoxy on a small leak, you temporarily plug the water up. Within a few minutes, the epoxy will harden and adhere to the pipe semi-permanently. It seems like a miracle cure but epoxy is only meant to be a temporary repair. It will do a great job of plugging the leak while you wait for a trusted emergency plumber to come and take care of the source! For more home remedies or plumbing related tips contact Sin City Plumber.
