Water is essential to all life, especially at home. This is why having a leaking pipe is a huge problem that needs to be addressed immediately. However, if it happens in the middle of the night or when it’s a national holiday, you might be having a hard time contacting a plumber. With that, you must learn how to quickly fix a leaking pipe while waiting for them to arrive.
What You Should Do Before You Fix A Leaking Pipe
In places like Fairfax, Virginia, most people depend on tap water to get a refreshing drink. So, water leaks in their homes are considered an emergency. If you’re from the area and experience water leaks in your house, you might feel wary because you don’t have any water to drink. With that, it’s helpful to learn how to conduct quick fixes on pipe leaks while waiting for plumbers in Fairfax to come.
The first and obvious thing you need to do is identify where the leak’s source is. Once you’ve identified the leak source, you need to turn off the water supply line so you can see the extent of the leak or damage to the pipe.
Once you have closed the water supply, you need to clean the leak area to place the seal on it quickly. Sometimes a leaking pipe problem can also be caused by the rust inside the pipe joint. In this case, you will have to remove and clean the rust out of the joints.
When the pipe is rusty, you will also need to consider the material the rust is feeding on. If it’s coming from iron, you may want to get an iron shield. However, you should note that the rust will still be present if the iron is sitting around without being fed into anything else.
Once you have cleaned the area from rusts or other materials that might hinder your sealer or epoxy’s hardening, it’s now the time to choose your sealing method.
Quick Fixes For A Leaking Pipe
If the leak is substantial, you need to make quick fixes while waiting for the plumbers to arrive. You must be familiar with these quick fixes to prevent flooding your home, and so you can use your water supply while waiting for the experts to come.
- Use Plumbers Epoxy
One of the easiest ways to fix a leaking pipe quickly is to seal the leak source with a plumber’s epoxy. A plumber’s epoxy has a clay-like consistency, and using it is quite simple. Knead a small amount of the epoxy on your hands, so it softens up a little before you place it as a cover on the leak. It will take a few minutes before it hardens and seals the hole or leak. When it’s dry, you can turn on the water supply to check if it’s enough to stop the leaking.
- Use Pipe Repair Clamps
There are different shapes and sizes of repair clamps depending on the pipe size you’re going to use it for. Pipe clamps work by covering the damaged part of the pipe, which causes it to leak water. Repair clamps are made from plastic or rubber patch. You clamp it over the line and secure it with a bolt to it seals shut, and the pressure won’t burst it open.
- Use Duct Tape
For minor leaks on smaller pipes, you can use the old and reliable heavy-duty duct tape. Ensure that the tube you’re trying to seal is not too big and the duct tape can cover the hole. Sometimes this is an excellent short-term solution while you wait for the plumbers to come in a few hours.
- Use Rubber Pipe Connectors
If you find leaks on the joint or in the middle of the joints, it may be hard to use clamps or epoxy. For temporary repairs, you can use rubber pipe couplings. These couplings can be wrapped around the joint to seal up the leak. It’s also a great option if the leak is surrounded by materials or walls like toilet pipes or laundry drainage.
- Use Pipe Wraps
Pipe wraps are available in many hardware stores and should be a staple in your toolbox. These pipe wraps can be used on any pipe and even on the joints. The wraps will harden around the line to stop the leaks. It works similarly to epoxy, so you need to wait a few minutes before checking additional leaks.
- Use Repair Sleeves
Repair sleeves are another excellent option for leaks and cracks on joints. They are similar to clamps but provides a stronger hold for a limited time. These sleeves work well for smaller damages, but they should only be used as a temporary fix while waiting for the plumber to arrive.
Summary
If accidents happen in the middle of the night or during a holiday, it may be hard to call a plumber that will go to your house at once. It helps if you know how to make quick fixes so you can still use your water supply while waiting for the plumber to arrive. Besides that, learning how to fix a leak quickly will prevent you from cleaning up after water damage. It would be best you stock on epoxy, tapes, and other tools if this accident happens in the future.