The last thing you want to do is replace your leaking pipe - it’s an expensive and time-consuming process.
But how else can you fix a leaky pipe?
Luckily, there are many ways to stop the leaking and save yourself the expense of a new installation.
You need to know how to handle it each time.
Leaking pipes can be caused by corrosion or improperly installed joints. In older Central Florida homes it is usually corroded galvanized or copper, which is a whole home repiping conversation rather than a patch. These are the 5 signs your property needs repiping.
Here is how to fix your leaky pipe without having to replace it. Every method below is a temporary hold that buys you time until a plumber makes the permanent repair.
1. Turn Off Your Main Water Supply
To start your repairs, you’ll have first to turn off your main water supply.
Don’t worry; this is a lot easier than it sounds.
Find the main shutoff valve, usually near the meter or where the supply line enters the house, and turn it clockwise until it stops.
Test it by waiting a few minutes and then turning on a faucet in another part of your house to see if you still have any running water.
You’ve successfully turned off the main supply if there’s no running water.
2. Prepare the Pipes You Wish to Repair
After turning the water off, you may wipe your pipes and the surrounding area clean of all dirt, grime, and rust.
Any small particles left in the area can cause your repair to fail.
Make sure you wear protective gloves and glasses to avoid contaminating yourself.
You may also apply heat to your pipes with a hair dryer, allowing you to slip the pipe out easily. Never bring an open flame or a heat gun into a wall cavity, and never heat a line you have not drained.
If the pipe is wet again no matter how long you dry it, the leak may be somewhere else entirely, and leak detection finds it without opening more wall. Water that has already soaked into flooring or drywall needs water damage restoration.
3. Bring Your Plumbing Kit
Next, you’ll need to bring your plumbing kit with you.
You want to be prepared for the repair so that you can deal with leaks right away.
Before starting the job, review your kit in case any tools or items are missing that you may need. If the leak is under a slab, stop here. That is slab leak repair, and the clues of a slab leak are worth reading before you cut anything.
4. Use Pipe Clamp to Perform the Repair
First, you’ll need to select an appropriate pipe clamp for the material of your pipe.
You want to ensure that it’s strong enough and will fit around the leaking area of your pipe.
You can tighten most pipe clamps with a simple screwdriver. A clamp holds a pinhole for weeks, not years, so book the real repair while it is still holding.
After you’ve selected the right clamp, line it up properly on top of your leaking area and secure it tightly with a screw or bolt.
5. Pipe Spray is the Best Option for Small Leaks
When you notice a small leak, the best option is to repair it with pipe spray.
Pipe spray comes in different forms - from rubber to epoxy - and can be purchased at most hardware stores.
The main reason it’s the most popular choice is that it works on a variety of materials and repairs both leaks and breaks.
Apply it over the leak, let it cure fully, and check it daily. It is a patch, not a pipe that’s working as well as new.
Installing a high-quality pipe can be a complicated and expensive endeavor.
If you are in the market for a new installation, make sure you do your homework before choosing the right pipe for your home. There is more in important things to know about repiping your home, and financing is available on whole home work.
If you aren’t up for tackling this type of repair yourself, our experts at True Plumbers & AC are a call away. A pipe you cannot shut off is emergency plumbing, and a leak you can hear but not find is worth these 5 early leak detection tips and a look at the other signs that you may have a water leak.
You can always rely on the Plumbers in Lakeland, at True Plumbers & A/C for your drain - and A/C - issues.
Whether the above methods have failed or you are hesitant to take on the unclogging process yourself, our team is ready to help. Get in touch with our professional plumbers by calling (863) 667-6364 today. We offer our comprehensive plumbing services to central Florida homes located in and around Lakeland, Plant City, and Winter Haven, FL.
