How to Repair a Leaking Water Pipe

We all have water coming into our homes, and it is a utility cost that is unavoidable. Even if you have a well, you still have to pay for the installation and energy cost to pump it up and into your home. There are untold litres of water that leak from pipes in homes across the country, and it is an unnecessary cost to a homeowner.

This type of water leak causes damage like cracked foundations, damaged ceilings and walls, the growth of mildew and mould, wet spots and musty smells. How can you stop it? The best option is to contact a plumber, but those with handy expertise can also do the repairs by yourself.

Let’s go over how to repair a leaking water pipe:

1. Locate the source of the leak

When you notice pooling water, it can send you into a panic. No one wants to have a water leak because the longer it is left, the more damage that may occur.

Do your best to trace the source of the leak by listening for water spraying or dripping and any other evidence like wet spots on the ceiling or water on the floor. It’s important to find the source before you shut off the water because it’s hard to find the exact location without the water leaking.

2. Turn off the water supply

Once you have located the leak, you need to shut off the water. This may be under your sink or the main shut-off to the house. To work on any repairs, you need to drain the line. After you locate where you need to stop the water flow, tag it, so no one else turns it back on until repairs are done.

3. Connection leaks

If your leak is at a plumbing connection, like a coupling nut at your drainpipe or water pipes, you may be able to fix these without replacing anything. It may be a case of unscrewing the coupling and reapplying plumbers’ tape around the threads of the pipe. This creates a seal when you reconnect the pipes.

Once everything is back together firmly, you can turn on the water and watch for any leaks to start up. If all is dry, you have fixed it and can return to your life.

4. Cracks and holes

Epoxy putty is a way to stop a leak at a joint or any other small crack in a pipe. This pipe putty is designed to harden at room temperature as it seals the crack or hole but is only a temporary measure. It will get you fixed up and give you time to contact a plumber to make permanent repairs or do it yourself later.

Rubber repair clamps also work as a temporary patch by acting as a sleeve to firmly seal up a leak in a pipe. They are easy to install too.

• Make sure your water supply is off
• Disconnect to pipes
• Apply the patch directly over the cracked area, so it evenly overlaps
• Tighten the clamps on either side until they are snug
• Turn on the water and check for leaks

If you don’t have a sleeve clamp, you can make your own with any thick rubber that fits the pipe with enough length and width to wrap around fully. Use a C-clamp or two and firmly tighten it to stop the leak.

Keep an eye on these temporary patches and make permanent repairs as soon as possible.

5. Replace leaking parts

To make a permanent repair, you will need to get replacement parts for your water system. This is pretty simple for local water lines and drains pipes under sinks. Take a picture or bring the broken pipe with you to the home improvement store and find a matching piece of similar material or ask for help.

Then bring it home and put it together, making sure to have proper connections, and you should be good to go.

6. Leaks inside walls and ceilings

This is a bigger job and will require you to cut open drywall to get at the source of the leak. Try to cut a uniform piece of wall material out so it can be reused again. You will have to cut the broken pipe out, replace it and install the new section. Then patch up the wall opening after you have checked that the water is no longer leaking.

Leaks in pipes that are easily accessible is a small DIY project you can probably handle, and you will be back in the business quickly. If you don’t feel confident tackling it yourself or if it involves cutting into the wall and ceiling, your best bet is to contact a qualified plumber to take on the repairs. They have the tools and know-how to quickly repair your water leak.

Either way, when the repair is done, you will be back to leak-free living, and you can get on with the business of enjoying your free-flowing water again.