Leaky pipes are a major nuisance, yet every homeowner has to deal with them sooner or later. But what should you do if one of your pipes bursts and the leak starts to spiral out of control? And even if your leak isn’t an emergency situation, what’s the best course of action if you can’t get a plumber to come out to your property for a day or so? It’s a good idea to know how to temporarily patch a leak, so your problem doesn’t get worse before a professional can take care of it. Keep reading to learn how to stop a leaky pipe while you wait for a plumber, and make sure to hire All City Plumbing, Air & Electrical for expert water leak detection and repair.
5 Steps to Take to Stop a Pipe Leak ASAP
- Turn Off the Water Supply: Before you can get to work taking care of that leaky pipe, you’ve got to stop the flow of water coming out of it. If you’re not sure where the water supply valve is for the pipe in question, turn off your home’s main shut-off valve to stop the flow of water throughout your house, and then turn on the closest faucet to drain any remaining water.
- Clean the Pipe: You can’t hope to successfully patch a pipe that’s covered in water. Wipe off your pipe before proceeding on to the next step, and clean up any other residue and mop up pooling water on the floor. This will help you keep your workspace clean and safe while preventing further damage.
- Tighten the Pipe Joints: One of the reasons your pipe started leaking in the first place could be loose joints, and even if it wasn’t the reason, a loose joint will definitely contribute to the size of your pipe leak. While you don’t want your fittings too tight, ensuring all the joints are secure will help create a tighter seal in your pipe until a plumber can fix it.
- Scrape Rust Spots off the Pipe: One of the best and most little-known tips for DIY pipe repair is to ensure the surface of your pipe is smooth. If your pipe is covered in rust spots or other craggy spots, you should scrape them off before patching the pipe, as these imperfections will make it harder for your patchwork to hold.
- Patch the Pipe Using Epoxy or Duct Tape: When it finally comes time to patch your leaky pipe, the question becomes what materials you have lying around your house. Epoxy putty is a great choice if you have it, since it hardens fairly quickly and lasts for a long time. You can also create a homemade pipe protector if you have any neoprene in your house. This is the type of synthetic rubber you would find in a garden house. Using neoprene and pipe clamps, you should be able to keep your leaky spot from spreading for quite awhile. If you don’t have any of these materials, you can rely on good old ductwork, wrapping it around multiple times, as tightly as possible. This may not work forever, but it will ensure your home is protected until a professional plumber arrives.
To learn more DIY plumbing tricks, call (909) 552-7550, or click here to schedule service online.