Pipe Repair

What To Do For Quick Pipe Repair

A leaking pipe can be no fun to deal with, especially when it is causing havoc in the home. Emergency pipe repair is relative easy to do but keep in mind that if the damage to any pipe looks to be more substantial than you can deal with, it is best to call a professional plumber for help. We can however, give you some quick fix tips that will help, until you can get replacement pipe installation completed.

Determining the Source of the Leak

Regardless if the leak is inside the house or outside, the first step when dealing with any plumbing emergency is to find the water shutoff valve and turn off the flow of water through the pipes. With the water off, you will now have time to clean up the mess, if necessary, and then check the pipes throughout to determine which one is in need of pipe repair, if possible. If your home has been built in a region where there are no crawlspaces, and has been built on a solid foundation like a slab, please call a professional plumber immediately.

A lot of times, the source of a leak is relatively nearby where you found the puddle or water damage. For instance, a puddle found in the middle of a kitchen floor would indicate that the culprit is located underneath the kitchen sink somewhere. Even with the water turned off, it is possible to determine which inlet will need pipe repair, because there should still be some seepage on the outside of the damaged pipe, even if there is no pressure behind it.

Repairing a Leaky Pipe

To do a quick repair on a cracked or leaking pipe, you will need to purchase some plumber’s tape from your local hardware store. This is a two-part sticky tape system that is designed to temporarily seal a potential leak, and keep the water flowing without spilling out. Keep in mind, that this is not meant to be a permanent solution and any changes in water pressure may cause the seal to break once more. Even if you do this emergency repair to your satisfaction, you should still consult with plumbing professionals for a permanent fix.

Causes of Leaky Pipes

The top three reasons pipes around the home become leaky have to do primarily with the following reasons:

• Slipshod installation
• The wrong type of pipe for the job
• Corrosion

All too often, an improper grade of PVC pipe is being used for sewer and water pipe installation. Older homes as well as homes without an appropriate water softening system installed, will often lose plumbing to pipe corrosion, where the minerals in the water eat away at the pipes until they are breached.

Got a leaky pipe that is driving you crazy? Call Liberty Plumbing and Septic, and speak to one of our plumbing specialists to schedule a consultation today.