Some Tips for Stopping That Drip
Alittle water dripping from a pipe may not seem like much to get concerned about. But even a minor leak can grow and cause serious trouble.
Dripping water can damage walls and ceilings, create an electrical hazard and even cause rot to develop in structural members of your house. Any leak should be repaired promptly by a professional plumber.
Until then, you can use some “first aid” techniques to repair minor leaks temporarily.
Shut Off the Water
* First, shut off the water supply to the pipe, either at the valve nearest the fixture or at the main valve. In most homes, the main valve is near the water meter. In a home with a well, the main valve is near the water storage tank.
* It’s a good idea to hang a tag on the main shut-off valve so that all family members will be able to find it quickly and easily in an emergency.
* The shut-off for a toilet is typically under the tank. Sinks usually have separate shut-off valves for hot and cold water.
* Once the water supply is off, drain the pipe by opening the nearest faucet. Before repairing a pipe, wipe the area dry and remove any rust with steel wool.
* With a leaky joint on threaded brass or galvanized steel pipes, simply tightening the fitting with two wrenches may stop the leak. But be careful: Damaged or aged pipe may break under added pressure.
* If the leak occurs at a joint on a waste pipe, seal the joint with a plumber’s seal, a moldable two-part epoxy available in hardware stores or plumbing supply stores. Wear rubber gloves. Prepare and apply material according to directions. Don’t use the compound on a pressurized water supply pipe.
* You might be able to temporarily repair a pinhole leak by wrapping several layers of duct tape or electrical tape around the pipe, starting well to one side of the leak and moving past it to the other.
* If there’s a small leak in a steel or brass pipe, place the rubber pad directly over the leak. Mount a wooden splint over the pad and on the opposite side of the pipe. Then tighten a C-clamp over the repair.
* For a more secure temporary repair, cut a tin can along its seam and wrap it around the rubber pad. Form two lips where the edges of the can meet. Place a small block of wood on the upper and lower lip and secure the repair with a C-clamp.
For Small Leaks
* You can also stop a small leak by wrapping a section of rubber hose, split lengthwise, around the damaged area. Hold the hose in place with two worm-gear clamps, like the ones used on appliance and automotive hoses.
* For larger leaks, use a pipe repair clamp kit, sold in hardware and plumbing supply stores. Make sure the clamp’s rubber sleeve is centered over the damaged area. It should extend at least one inch past the leak on either side. Mount the pipe clamp over the sleeve and tighten the clamp screws.
Here are a couple of other fixes that are strictly temporary:
* If there is a leak in a PVC drain fitting, tighten a worm-gear hose clamp around the hub of the fitting.
* For a small leak in a waste pipe, force a round toothpick into the hole and break off the end. The wood swells to seal the leak. Then wrap three layers of duct tape around the leak.
