How to Fix Leakage in the Water Pipes?
For any homeowner, water leaks or broken pipes is always a big problem. As the water in all supply pipes is always under pressure, if any pipe or fitting leaks, then the water will usually spray out with reasonable amount of force.
Due to this pressure, it will be pretty obvious if pipe is leaking. Also, if the pipe remains inside the wall or even above a ceiling then leaking pipe will damage the wall and ceiling.
Whenever you observe leak, first of all find the relevant valve which controls your water supply to the particular pipe.
In most of the modern homes, water supply pipes will be made of copper, which is soldered together by using elbows, tees, and many other fittings.
Also, galvanized iron pipes with threading are common, especially in older types of homes, but now they are getting phased out as they tend to easily get clogged by various mineral deposits over a period of time.
If water is staining your ceiling or dripping, then the leak can be directly above, though water can easily travel along joist or any other internal framing member and can also stain wall or your ceiling at some distance from leak itself.
In case there are no traces of stains or drips found as evidence, then grab flashlight and try to check the pipes around the basement or in the crawlspace.
It may always help to have pipe repair clamp just in case if pipe bursts – particularly if you stay in climate where pipes can freeze. You may buy any quick-repair screw-on devices from any home-improvement store.
How to fix leak?
- First of all, close the valve which controls water flow in the damaged pipe line.
- According to your package instructions, apply pipe repair clamp which usually involves centering rubber sleeve just over leak in your pipe and then bolt the 2-part clamp in its place over sleeve.
- You can also make in a pinch, your own pipe-repair clamp by just wrapping burst section of the pipe with strip of rubber and then clamping your wrap with adjustable hose clamp, C-clamp or a pipe-sleeve clamp.
- Just note here that this is just a temporary repair. You must call a plumber in case you cannot replace the damaged part of pipe yourself. Usually, they have proper tools which can be used for proper repairing purpose.
