Are you experiencing a leaky pipe? You’re not alone. A leaky pipe is one of the most common plumbing problems you can find.
In this article, explore what you should do when you experience this common problem. Sit back, relax, and read on to learn how to make a leaky pipe a thing of the past.
Table of Contents
Why You Should Fix It Right Away
You’ll want to fix a leaky pipe right away since water can cause damage to your drywall. It can also damage supports, flooring, and short out wires. You can find plenty of ways to temporarily fix the leak, but you’ll want to make sure that it’s fixed for good.
Call a Plumber
One of the first things you’ll want to do is to call a local plumber. While you can try to do it yourself, you can wind up making the issue worse.
If you decide to do it yourself, you might wind up having water drip while you’re working which can cause mold to grow over time.
If you decide to fix house leaks with a professional, it’ll last longer as well. If a project is done without a professional, it can always open up and cause another leak.
Turn off the Water Valve
After discovering a leaky pipe, you’ll want to turn off the main water valve. This will stop any more water damage.
DIY Plumbing
After you turn off the main water valve, you’ll want to turn on your faucet that’s connected to the leaky pipe. This will have any water that’s leftover to drip out. You’ll want to let the pipeline dry before moving on.
Coat the location of the leak using a putty knife. Before moving on, make sure that the leak is fully covered.
Next, wrap it in rubber using a clamp for an hour. After an hour, leave the rubber on but remove the clamp. You can then place waterproof tape to protect the pipe.
Another Option
Another temporary option is to take a sharp pencil’s tip and place it in the hole that’s causing the leak. Then you can cover the leak with epoxy and a putty knife.
What to Look For
If you decide to forego a professional, you can take a look at the length of the pipe. Next, head to your local hardware or plumbing store to pick up supplies.
You’ll need silver solder, emery cloth, replacement piping, a fitting brush, a torch, and solder flux. Turn on the faucets that are connected to your leaky pipe. You can also use an air compressor to take out any water that’s left in the pipe.
Use a pipe cutter or hacksaw to remove the section of the pipe that’s damaged. Use a fitting brush and energy cloth to clean the inside and outside of your new pipes.
Use soldering flux on both sides of the piping. Put the new pipe into place and let it cool. Once this is done, turn on the water to make sure there’s no more leaking.
Other Common Plumbing Problems
Besides a leaky pipe, another common plumbing problem is an overflowing toilet. An overflowing toilet is when the water won’t stop filling up.
First, you’ll want to turn off the water behind the toilet. It might be hard to turn it by hand.
Next, you’ll want to take the lid off the tank and see if the rubber flapper is back in place. If it’s loose, you’ll want to push it back in place which will stop the water from flowing.
Slow Draining Sink
In order to have a normal draining sink again, you’ll need to remove debris that’s stuck. You can do this by removing the pop-up and cleaning it out, or using a plumbing tool you can find in the store or online.
You can unscrew a pop-up by using pliers or by hand. When the nut is removed, you can reinstall and clean it.
Garbage Disposal Problems
Another common problem is having a jammed garbage disposal. You can clean out a garbage disposal by using an Allen wrench.
Place the Allen wrench in the opening at the bottom of the garbage disposal. Turn it in both directions in order to free the motor.
A Clogged Toilet
If you try to flush too much toilet paper or an item that isn’t meant to be flushed, you can find yourself with a clogged toilet. You can use a plunger to unclog a toilet. For more serious cases, you can use an auger or plumbing snake to open up the clog.
A Broken Water Heater
You might notice that when taking a shower the water isn’t getting hot which can be a sign of a broken water heater. This could mean that your thermostat isn’t working properly, there’s a buildup in the tank, or the pilot light has turned off. Your best option is to call a professional.
Low Water Pressure
This is where the water trickles slowly out of the tap instead of the usual gushing. This is when your pipes are leaking and have gone unnoticed. It can also be caused from a build-up of mineral or sediment deposits.
To fix it, you can clean the shower-head by removing any dirt off of it. You can use a toothbrush to remove any mineral deposits. You can also soak the aerator in vinegar.
DIY Tips
There are some tips you’ll want to keep in mind if you’re doing the plumbing yourself. Even if you decide to do it yourself you’ll want to keep a plumber’s number just in case something goes haywire.
Make sure you have all of the tools necessary before beginning the job. Take any measurements you’ll need in advance. Dress in clothes that you won’t mind getting dirty.
Fixing a Leaky Pipe
Now that you’ve explored what to do to fix a leaky pipe, you should be well on your way to fixing the problem. Want to learn more about home and lifestyle? Read our other articles today for everything from curing separation anxiety to what to do if your home is flooding.
