Leaking Pipes
If you have a leaking pipe at home, you might be able to fix it yourself depending on the severity. Before calling an engineer, consider these steps:
​
-
Turn off the water supply: Always shut off the water supply before fixing a leak. You can do this at the water valve on the pipe near the leak or at the stopcock, often located under your kitchen sink.
-
Drain the taps: Empty the water from the leaking pipe by turning on connected taps. When water stops flowing, it's fully drained. Dry the pipe with a towel and protect your floor.
-
Identify the leak cause: Examine the pipe closely to find the cause. It could be a loose joint, fixable by tightening it by hand or with a spanner. Alternatively, it might be a cracked or split pipe, possibly due to corrosion or accidental impact during DIY work.
How To Seal a Leaking Pipe
While waiting for a professional to fix a leaky pipe in your home, you can try some temporary solutions using plumber's tape and epoxy paste, commonly available at hardware stores.
Here's a step-by-step guide on how to seal a leaking pipe:
​
-
Turn off the water supply: Before attempting any fix, always shut off the water supply.
-
Locate the leak source: Identify where the pipe is leaking.
-
Apply plumber's tape: Cover the leak with plumber's tape.
-
Wrap the tape around the pipe: Wind the plumber's tape around the pipe until the leak is fully sealed.
-
Apply epoxy paste: Use epoxy paste on areas where the pipe is still leaking.
-
Let it dry: Allow the epoxy paste to dry for 20-25 minutes.
These steps might help temporarily fix leaks and prevent further damage. However, remember these are short-term solutions, so plan to replace the faulty pipe or seek one of our professional plumbers in Rochdales help for repair.
