How to fix a water leak yourself?

Some plumbing problems do not require the intervention of a professional to resolve them. For example, water leaks are considered one of the scourges of homeowners and can occur in several places in the pipes.

If you experience a water leak somewhere in your home, you can fix it yourself. Moreover, there are several repair solutions which vary depending on the material. First try to identify the origin and cause of your leak so that you can plug it quickly and effectively.

Copper or PVC pipe leak: what are the main causes?

Water leaks are generally due to an accident, shock, wear or weakness of the pipes used. In the case of copper tubes, a solder can fail easily, even the conduits can deteriorate over time and become old.

In the case of PVC installations, it is the fixing connections which are responsible for water leaks. In fact, poor fixing of joints can allow water to escape and cause losses which could turn into water damage. In any case, it is possible to intervene to remedy it on your own. If you are a good handyman, there is no need to call a cheap plumber in Paris. You can intervene personally and repair the source of your water leak.

How to repair your water leak?

If there is a water leak from a connection, you will need to tighten the ring using two adjustable wrenches. This is important so as not to deform the support. If the water flow still persists, you will need to change the seal. You can equip yourself with everything you need from a DIY store or plumbing equipment store. In the event of a leak on a copper pipe, it is possible to apply an anti-leak product.

Moreover, there are two types of products that are used to repair leaks on copper conduits: adhesive tape and two-component putty. These two solutions are often characterized by their efficiency and resistance. Putty and adhesive tape are suitable for all materials (pvc, copper, lead, etc.).

If the water leak is caused by burst pipes, you must change the damaged section to stop the flow of water and restore the proper functioning of your pipes. If you do not have the right means to intervene, call a plumbing professional without delay to take care of the repair work on your water leak.

Repairing a leaking copper pipe with putty

If you plan to repair your leaking copper pipe yourself, you will first need to turn off the water supply to your room or the general water supply to your home. Next, you will need to clean and prepare the support. To do this, use a cloth to dry the area to be repaired then strip the pipe over an area a little larger than the part where the leak is located. For this, you can use fine steel wool, fine emery cloth or a fine-wire wire brush. Once finished, you can proceed to apply the putty.

Before handling the product, put on protective gloves and knead it between your fingers until you obtain a homogeneous paste. Once ready, apply it by forming a bead or flattening it just where the leak is located. Try spreading the putty over a wider area and check how it sticks to the pipe. If the sealant lifts a little when you lift your fingers, dampen the gloves with water and press again on the leak area. Once finished, let the repair dry well, respecting the time mentioned on the packaging and finally put the water back on to check that there are no more water leaks.