Plumbing is something that freaks most homeowners out. Most people don’t understand the intricacies of how pipes and flushes work, and would rather let the professionals handle it.
However, there are certain situations where you can fix the problem yourself, and minor leakages are one such example. Joints between pipes can become loose, or seals get old and no longer work. Fortunately, patching them up is easy.
Before you get started, run your hands over your pipes to detect where the leaks are occurring. This is especially useful for pipes that are located in dark places, such as under your sink.
Always shut off the main water supply before you fix the leak, and leave it off for at least four hours after you have treated the problem to let the patching dry and set. Some methods require you to leave the water turned off for longer, up to 12 hours.
After you have shut off the water, wipe the pipes down so they are dry before you start. Here are four things you can use to secure leaky pipes.
1. Epoxy resin
Epoxy is a type of plastic-based putty that becomes solid when it dries. You can find it sold in little rolls or tubs at hardware stores.
Once you spread it around a leak, it will patch any pinholes or cracks as it dries, which takes three to four hours. Epoxy resin is a very flexible material and can be used for both metal and PVC pipes.
2. Adhesive sealing tape
There are many adhesive sealing tapes available for pipes. Get one that is at least 1.5-2cm wide so you can cover as much area as possible.
Tapes are great for leaky pipes and most are soft and pliable, allowing them to adapt to the shape of the joint. You don’t have to wait long for it to set – in fact, you can turn on your water supply almost immediately.
The only downside is that sealing tapes can solve minor or pinhole leaks but won’t be strong enough for more major issues.
3. Metal or rubber clamp
These types of clamps are very useful for metal pipes. Basically they are long, cylindrical-shaped seals made of metal and padded with rubber, or made of rubber on its own.
At both ends of the short tube are metal clamps that can be tightened, resulting in a tight grip through which no water can escape.
4. Cold or heat shrink sleeves
Shrinkable polymer sleeves allow you to fix parts of a pipe that can fit through them. These sleeves then adhere to the pipes and seal them.
However, shrink sleeves are not very strong, so you can only use them if there’s a single leak without heavy water pressure.
This article first appeared in kaodim.com, the platform that connects users to dependable and professional local service providers, now in its final month of service. Farewell, Kaodim. Thank you for the articles.