Anyone can find themselves facing a leak or water damage in their home. If you encounter a water leak from a pipe at home, you can remedy it temporarily while waiting for the intervention of your professional. If you’re a good DIYer, you can also permanently repair your leaking pipe with a mechanical fitting. It is up to you to choose the repair method best suited to your situation.
Discover here the 4 best methods to repair a water leak on a pipe.
Apply a bandage to the leaking pipe
As a precaution, you must first turn off the water by closing the general supply to your home. If the water leak is significant, also turn off the electricity to avoid any risk of electrocution or short circuit. Now is the time to tackle your water leak to limit the extent of the damage. Your intervention will consist of applying a dressing to the area where your water leak is. This will prevent the water from escaping through your home. If the water flow comes from a hidden pipe, it is better to contact a plumber to find a leak.
Once the location of the leak is located, wrap the hose with a mop or highly absorbent cloth. Tighten very tightly to block the passage of water. Please note that this technique is not intended to stop the leak, but rather to minimize the risk of having water damage in your home. This will direct the water and make it easier to mop up as you go or collect the water in a container. This will save you from projections in all directions.
Use epoxy putty for a temporary repair
Before touching the putty, put on latex gloves to protect your skin from burns or irritation. Then knead the product with your fingers until you obtain a homogeneous paste, then Once ready, form a cord and wrap it over the leak area and around the pipe to be repaired. Make sure the sealant covers the crack that is causing the leak. It must extend well beyond each side of the hole and be two centimeters thick. Then, put waterproof adhesive tape on both ends to ensure that water no longer comes out of the pipe. Let the putty dry well before replacing the water circuit. Strictly follow the instructions given by the manufacturer. But in general the drying time does not exceed ten minutes. In any case, you should know that this repair is temporary and will only last a few weeks, the time to contact a plumber to repair your water leak permanently.
Repairing a water leak using a sleeve
Also called a “connector”, the sleeve is made up of metal half-parts lined on the inside with a piece of rubber to prevent water from leaking. Sold in DIY stores, the sleeve must be the same size as that of the pipe to be repaired. It can be placed on copper or PVC conduit. For all uses, first locate the crack responsible for the water leak then put on the sleeve. Be sure to center the lined half of the joint on the pipe. The repair is much easier when the hole is on the top of the pipe and on the sides or bottom. Try to hold it with your hand while waiting to attach the second half of the sleeve. Place it opposite the first then insert the bolts and screw them in by hand. Make sure the sleeve is not moved. Finally, use a suitable wrench to lock the nuts one after the other.
However, the sleeve repair method does not last long enough. It is necessary to call in a competent plumber to repair or replace the faulty pipe.
Repairing a punctured pipe with a mechanical fitting
This technique allows you to permanently repair the leaking pipe. But you must choose a mechanical connection that corresponds exactly to the diameter of your pierced pipe. For the length, it must be able to cover the part where the crack is located, responsible for your water leak. Easy to assemble and requires no tools or welding, the mechanical connection is available in any DIY store. Be sure to choose a model with the same material as your pipe (PVC or copper). Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations strictly to ensure the effectiveness of your intervention.