Depending on the extent of damage, water damage repairs can cost upwards of $5,000!
A leaky pipe in the kitchen and bathroom is one of the most common culprits for water damage in the home. To avoid costly water damage repairs, it’s important to act fast when you notice a leaky pipe. Keep reading to learn more about how to fix a leaky pipe!
How to Fix a Leaky Pipe
A leaky pipe is not only inconvenient, but it can cause mold, mildew, and damage to personal belongings if it’s not fixed ASAP.
Applying a temporary fix to the problem is easier than you may realize. Here’s how you can fix a leaky pipe:
Shut off the Water Supply
Before you start working on a leaky pipe, you’ll want to shut off the water supply to the pipe.
Since there’s a great deal of force pushing the water through the pipe, the pipe will start spraying until the water supply is turned off. So, turn the water supply off to avoid a mess and to make it easier to work on the pipe.
Apply Epoxy Putty to the Source of the Leak
Once you’ve pinpointed where the leak in the pipe is, apply some epoxy putty to temporarily patch the leak.
Make sure all the water has drained from the pipe after you’ve turned the water supply off before trying to apply the putty. The putty will only stick to a clean and dry surface. Once the putty has been applied to the leak, you can turn the water supply back on until you can find a more permanent solution.
Replace the Portion of the Pipe That’s Leaking
Once you have some time for some more permanent leaky pipe fixes, it’s time for some DIY plumbing.
First, you’ll want to cut off the portion of the pipe that has a leak. Make sure the replacement is the correct size and color before applying it.
Once you have the correct pipe piece to replace the leaky piece, you’ll need to solder the pipe in place so it’s securely attached to the rest of the pipe.
What to Keep in Mind
If you’re going to start removing pipes, it’s important that you have some background with plumbing repair.
If you don’t have experience with repairing pipes, you may find it easiest to apply a temporary fix like epoxy putty. Once the leak has been temporarily fixed, you’ll want to call a plumber.
If you start cutting out pieces of your piping without experience, you may end up causing more damage to the pipe. If you do decide to move forward with replacing the pipe and soldering it, make sure you do plenty of research, including videos that show exactly what you should do.
Do You Have a Leaky Pipe That Needs Fixing?
If you have a leaky pipe that you don’t feel comfortable with replacing yourself, don’t hesitate to call a professional.
At BWS Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, we offer 24/7 emergency services for any plumbing emergency that you might encounter. We specialize in plumbing and HVAC services for commercial and residential properties.
To fix your leaky pipe, give us a call today!
