Leaky pipes are an inconvenience at their mildest and a home catastrophe at their worst.
Every leak requires some kind of pipe repair, but when time is of the essence, there are temporary solutions that can help right now.
Try these ideas to repair leaking pipes long enough for a permanent repair to be made.
Whether the repair involves pipe replacement or something less substantial like tightening a loosened fixture, these tips will help any homeowner stop the water until help can arrive!
- Pipe Clamps - When a pipe is leaking from along the length of the pipe, a pipe clamp with a rubber sleeve can help until a pipe replacement or repair is made. These clamps and sleeves open up and can be easily fit around the pipe, then closed up snugly to stop the water from escaping.
- Tape - Tape is an easy temporary pipe repair and one that almost anyone can tackle with some type of heavy-duty or super-sticky tape. Depending on the size and location of the leak and the material the pipe is made from, duct tape and electrical tape are usually suitable. Teflon tape and silicon tape are also good choices to temporarily repair leaking pipes.
- Rubber Pipe Connector Fitting - Similar to the pipe sleeve with clamps, rubber pipe connectors are more suitable for covering over and sealing off leaks around pipe joints or elbows that can be difficult to seal otherwise. Rubber pipe fittings also open up to be fit onto the leaky joint, then tightened down to seal off the leak and prevent more water from escaping.
- Plumbing Epoxy Putty - Epoxy putty is a 2-part putty that, when mixed together, creates a strong, waterproof putty that can be pressed in or around the leaky pipe where it will harden and prevent continued leaking.
- Plumbing Repair Kits - From epoxy putty kits to bonded fiberglass repair patch kits, there are a number of kits available to repair leaking pipes in any hardware or plumbing store.
- Turn Off the Water - If the leak is severe, to the point that water is continuously running in streams as opposed to slowly leaking in drops, turning off the water to that fixture and arranging for professional pipe repair or pipe replacement is the best option, as a temporary fix will not likely be enough.
Small, annoying leaks can usually be repaired using any one of the temporary methods mentioned above. More substantial leaks should be addressed with pipe replacement or repair of leaking pipes by a skilled professional. In either case, stop the water before more damage is done, then call a pipe repair specialist to take care of it for good!