Maintaining a house or apartment is not an easy task, especially if you have no previous experience. When a certain home appliance breaks down, things are not so critical: do not turn it on and wait for the masters, or buy a new one if it is worn out. Still, some things can go wrong and where you have almost no time to wait for the masters. One of the biggest nightmares of any homeowner is leaking water pipes. The problem itself can be huge and urgent, but it doesn’t have to be. Yet no matter how serious the problem is, it never comes alone. If you don’t fix it on time, you will have an extra bunch of new problems. There are mold, floor lifting, and many other things that you should not ignore.
Many causes can lead a pipe to burst. There are sudden changes in temperature and hard water that can create deposits that weaken the pipe material, then rust and corrosion, outdated pipes, or their poor quality. Constipation can also be a cause, whether it is dirt, grease, or hair growth. Whatever the cause, a broken pipe problem requires a quick response. We suggest that you call a plumber immediately or at least a service that will direct you further. Now, expensive repairs and buying new pipes certainly come to mind and you are wondering if you can do at least part of the work yourself and thus reduce unplanned costs. Although we always recommend professional help, there are methods you can do yourself so you don’t have to change the pipes right away. It is very important to know that these methods are temporary and not permanent solutions.
This is a little guide that will guide you on how to fix a leaky pipe without replacing it.
For starters: turn off the water supply
So, you have noticed that your pipe is leaking somewhere, so take a closer look and detect the exact place where the pipe cracked. This process will sometimes require a sharp eye and a lot of patience, but if the crack is bigger, there will be no problem locating it. When you are sure that this is it, we move slowly! The first step after locating the problem is to turn off the water supply to that pipe. You need to find the valve that applies to that pipe. They are usually located under the sink in the kitchen or in the bathroom under the sink or on the underside of your toilet. Okay, you found the valve, what now?! If you do not have experience with this, you will be in a big dilemma as to which side to turn the valve on. Turning the valve counterclockwise closes the valve or closes the drain. Remember this rule.
Depending on how the pipes in your house are regulated, it will sometimes be necessary to turn off the main water valve. He usually stays outside your house. If you have done all this correctly so far, remember that the water is still trapped inside your pipes and you need to unscrew the taps to release the remaining water.
Preparing pipes for repair
After the water supply is regulated, it is important to prepare the surface for repair. This involves drying the pipe and the environment so that the sticky material that needs to be put on the pipe can be transferred. So beg well and cleanse from all impurities. After this, let’s move on.
A plumbing kit for the pipes enters the scene
This tool is a very powerful tool that can be of great help to you, especially if you do not want to change the pipes immediately. So, there are a large number of different putty masses, here you precisely need plumbing putty. You have provided the space and the pipe on which you will work, and now is the time to secure your hands as well. Be sure to use latex gloves to avoid burning your skin with this strong agent. It is necessary to separate a piece of epoxy putty from the tube and mix it until it becomes light gray. This way you activate it and only then is it ready to apply. Carefully place the putty where the pipe broke, about 0.5 inches thick. Place the putty and much wider than the point of the crack and press well on the sides. This creates a watertight seal.
As we said in the introduction, this is a great solution, but temporary.
You can also use a pipe clamp
Joondalup plumbers at WaterlinePlumbing, often carry pipe clamps with them when inspecting a plumbing system. They state that pipe clamps are a great quick temporary fix for when you need to stop a leak before repairing or replacing the leaking pipe. You can find these pipe clamps at any nearby tool store, and you don’t need too much experience in this work to set it up.
It is a rubber clamp that is placed at both ends of the problematic part of the pipe. In this way, it serves as a waterproof seal and prevents water leakage. You can use this method for small leaks, but they are generally a temporary fix, and the pipe should still be placed or repaired. You can get clamps that are suitable for PVC and copper pipes.
Pipe spray
When it comes to temporary repairs, pipe repair spray can be an ideal and simple solution. Works great on pipes, gutters, drains, roofs or windows. Effectively penetrates cracked pipes, and supports and functions as a sealant. In addition, it protects against corrosion and can be used as prevention. Just let it dry well after which you can even paint it
Keep in mind that the methods for quickly stopping pipe leaks that we have listed are effective, but they are not a permanent solution. Sometimes even a tiny crack in your pipes can indicate a much bigger, systemic problem. Therefore, we recommend that you at least consult with professional plumbers. Visit thesuperplumber.com And you can get detailed information on what you can do until the master comes to you. The only thing that matters is that the problem is not ignored, and as much as you think you can do everything yourself, listen to the advice of professionals.
