Fixing Leaky Pipes

Written by April Reinhardt (last updated June 8, 2018)

We received an automated phone call from the water company several months ago. The cheery female voice of the recording told us that we had used an above average amount of water that week. Alarmed, and expecting an exorbitant water bill the following month, we checked all of the visible pipes of the house, made sure that the toilets weren't running water, and checked the exterior faucets of the house. We found no tell-tale signs of leakage, and held our breath until the water bill arrived. Apparently, and much to our relief, the water company had misdialed and called the wrong address.

However, there have been times in other situations where I've had to address leaky pipes. One unpleasant circumstance found me underneath the crawl space of the house, trying to patch a burst pipe in the coldest part of the winter. If you have leaky pipes, follow these steps for fixing them:

  1. Turn off the water supply. You will find the shut-off valve near plumbing fixtures.
  2. Completely wipe dry the pipe that is leaking.
  3. Determine if the leak is caused by a loose joint. If it is, simply tighten the joint, turn the water back on, and observe if the leak has stopped.

If the leak has stopped, your chore is finished. If you still see water spewing, that means you have a crack or a hole in the pipe. To patch the crack or hole, follow these steps:

  1. Turn the water off at the shut-off valve and dry the pipe completely.
  2. Determine the position of the crack or hole and cover it thickly and completely with epoxy.
  3. Wrap electrical tape or white thread tape around the pipe, covering the crack or hole, and then cover the tape with a thick layer of epoxy.
  4. Cut a section of rubber and wrap it around the pipe. Hold the rubber in place until it adheres to the pipe.
  5. Affix several metal pipe clamps or plastic wire-ties to the rubber and tighten them as tight as you can against the pipe. If you are working with PVC pipe, take care not to over-tighten, as you can crush or crack the pipe further.
  6. Allow the project to cure for at least an hour.

After you've allowed the pipe to cure, turn the water back on and check for leaks. If you still see water leaking, then you might need to call a plumber.

Author Bio

April Reinhardt

An admin­istrator for a mutual fund man­age­ment firm, April deals with the writ­ten word daily. She loves to write and plans to author a memoir in the near future. April attend­ed More­head State Uni­ver­sity to pursue a BA degree in Ele­men­tary Edu­ca­tion. ...

MORE FROM APRIL

Using a Power Tiller

Using a power tiller is the most efficient and quickest way to cultivate your soil. Not only used for gardens, power ...

Discover More

Cleaning Acrylics

While acrylic blends will retain their "new" appearance longer than pure acrylic fabric, pure acrylic garments can last a ...

Discover More

Understanding Xeriscaping

We all understand that plants need water to grow, just as they need sun and proper nutrients. But you can conserve water ...

Discover More

Cordless, Compact, and Powerful! DeWalt's 18-volt drill-driver kit packs a big punch in a small package, with a powerful high-performance motor tucked away inside a compact design. A great addition to the tool chest of any professional or DIYer! Check out DeWalt 18-Volt Drill/Driver Kit today!

More Home Improvement Tips

Choosing a Water Heater

Water heaters are an important piece of equipment in the home, and choosing the right one can mean all the difference ...

Discover More

Locating the Water Shutoff Valve in Your Home

Whether you plan on doing some home plumbing repairs or not, there is one thing that every homeowner should know about ...

Discover More

Installing a Wall-Hung Sink

If you don't like the current sink in your bathroom, you can always go with a traditional favorite, the wall-hung sink. ...

Discover More
Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is 2 + 2?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)