6 Ways to Temporarily Patch a Leaking Pipe

A burst pipe, no matter the size, can begin to flood a home in no time. Therefore, in such a situation there is no time to lose. Flooding can cause considerable damage to the interior of your home, so it is advised you have a quick solution to manage the water damage until a plumber can assess and fix the issue.

What To Do First

In an emergency situation, the first thing, and possibly one of the most important things you can do is shut off your water supply. Then it is advised you turn on the faucet that is connected at the lowest point in the leaking pipe to drain any remaining water in the pipe, and relieve any pressure. Clean off the damaged area of pipe and wipe it dry.

Guide to Temporary Leaky Pipe Solutions

1. Duct Tape

Since duct tape is waterproof, it can be used as a quick fix for a leaky pipe, especially if you have nothing else in your tool box. To stop the leak, wrap the duct tape tightly around the pipe several times in order to create a seal.

2. Pipe clamps

Pipe clamps can be used in addition to patching up the leak with duct tape or electrical tape. Once you have patched the pipe, fasten the tape with a clamp.

3. Epoxy

Plumbing epoxy is a malleable compound that allows you to mould it into cracks and plug leaks. When working with epoxy, always break off a small about and knead it until it is soft, before using it to plug a leak. Make sure the epoxy is pushed in and around the crack or leak. Allow it to harden for a few minutes.

4. Rubber pipe connectors

If the pipe is leaking at the joint or in the middle, you can wrap rubber couplings or connectors around the pipe to tighten up the leak. Rubber pipe connectors do need to be cut, which do not make them the easiest solution, if you do not know what you are doing. However, they are ideal to stop toilet water or laundry water from flooding the floor.

5. Pipe wraps

Pipe wraps harden around the surface of leak to create a seal. They simply need to be placed in the right place. They work anywhere on a pipe for all types of leaks and cracks.

6. Repair sleeves

Repair sleeves work well for smaller cracks, joints or pinhole repairs. They are similar to pipe clamps and provide a strong temporary fix.

Always check the pipe for leaks after you’ve turned the water supply back on. It is also advised that you be extremely careful whenever handling the broken pipe as the pipe may be more damaged than it appears and could potentially collapse or break further when handled.

Once you have prevented the leak from flooding your house, call a professional plumber. Do not leave a temporary fix for too long as the leak will only become worse and require more repairs and money to eventually fix.