How To Fix A Leak In A Pipe? Do you have a water pipe that needs a fix? But you don’t know how to go about it? Just get a seat and relax, this article will give you the best guide on how to fix a leak in your pipe.
Water leaks pipes can be a big problem for any homeowner. Because the water in supply pipes is under pressure, if a pipe or fitting springs a leak, the water usually sprays out with considerable force.
However, most modern home water supply pipes are copper, soldered together with elbows, tees, and other fittings. While, Threaded galvanized iron pipes are also common, particularly in older homes, but are being phased out because they tend to get clogged by mineral deposits over time.
How to Fix A Leak In A Pipe
Follow the guide below, to fix a leak in a pipe;
Locate The Leaking Pipe to fish out the leaking spot.
Due to the pressure, it’s obvious if a pipe is leaking—even if the pipe is inside a wall or above a ceiling. You can often hear water dropping inside the wall or ceiling. Thus, the drywall becomes wet, particularly at the joints between panels. And water often pools at the base.
So, if water is staining the ceiling or dripping, the leak may come directly above, although water can travel along a joist or other interior framing member and stain a wall or ceiling some distance from the leak itself.
And if there are no stains or drips overhead as evidence, grab a flashlight and check the pipes in the basement or crawlspace.
Disable The Valve – How To Fix A Leak In A Pipe
Go ahead and turn off the valve that controls water flow to the damaged pipe. Apply a pipe repair clamp according to the package instructions—this usually includes centring a rubber sleeve over the leak in the pipe and then bolting the two-part clamp in place over the sleeve. A screwdriver attaching a sleeve clamp to a leaky pipe. Ensure you properly attached sleeve clamps are capable of stopping leaks for weeks or months. Then, hire a plumber to apply a permanent fix to the pipe.
However, if you don’t have a sleeve clamp, you can make your own pipe repair clamp by wrapping the burst section of pipe with a strip of rubber ( for instance, from an inner tube) and then clamping the wrap with an adjustable hose clamp, a pipe-sleeve clamp, or a C-clamp.
Apply Epoxy Putty
If the leak is near a joint, proceed to apply epoxy putty- hand applying epoxy putty to a leaky pipe joint.
Although, leaks around joints may be difficult to stop with a sleeve clamp. However, try applying epoxy putty in hard to reach areas. To get it right, you have to disable the water supply first and make sure to clean and dry the pipe before starting.
How To Fix A Leaking Copper Pipe (Permanently)
Here you can see how to fix a copper pipe that is leaking inside a wall.
Step 1: Disable the valve that controls the flow of water to these pipes. If necessary, disable the main water valve to the house. Open a faucet or hose bib that’s lower than the leak in order to drain water from the pipes.
Step 2: Cut open the wall if necessary for you to access the pipe. You must know that that this is going to make a mess, so prepare the area as required with drop cloths. Plan to make vertical cuts just inside the wall stud locations.
However, you can use a utility knife or a reciprocating saw to make the cuts along straight lines. Note; Electrical wires or pipes may be inside the wall, so you have to be very careful to avoid them with the saw’s blade. Take out the cut-out section and save it so you can replace it later. If it’s soaked, put it on a flat surface outside so it can dry.
Step3: Cut out the damaged pipe section. Make two cuts—one on each side of the leak, about 10 or 12 inches apart. Depending on how the pipe is located, use either a small tubing cutter like the one shown, or use a metal-cutting blade in a reciprocating saw. Take measurements of the distance between the two remaining cut pipes and cut the replacement piece about ¼ inch shorter.
Step4: proceed to apply flux to all pipe ends after you use fine wet sandpaper to polish the cut ends and remove any burrs. And then, paint the cut ends of the pipes with copper pipe soldering flux.
Step5: Test fit the coupling by sliding it onto the pipe. You’ll need one of these couplings at both ends of the replacement piece.
Step6: Solder the top coupling to the existing and replacement pipes, beginning with the top fitting. Ensure you have a fire extinguisher nearby, and be very careful with the flame.
Step7: Solder the bottom coupling to the pipes, using the same techniques. Wait for some time so that the pipes will cool, finally turn the water back on. Be sure to close any faucets that you opened when draining the pipes.
Take note; until the air is purged from your water supply pipes, faucets throughout the house are likely to sputter and spit air and water when you use them. After a couple of uses, this will stop.
Step8: after fixing the leak, the next thing is to repair the wall. Ensure that the wall has dry out. To replace the piece of wall that you removed, you’ll probably need to add a couple of wood blocks so you have something to nail or screw the wallboard to.
