An unidentified leak or wet patch usually means trouble and sometimes you don’t have the time in that moment to get a professional out to patch it up for you. Luckily, there is the chance that it might not need significant maintenance and you could avoid shelling out for costly repairs.
Water leaks can occur due to changes in temperature as we move into the winter months, pipe deterioration and mineral deposits. Whether you’re dealing with a leak in your wall or a pinhole leak, here are some of the temporary fixes you can do to keep your pipes secure before a major fix can occur.
Sealants
First and foremost, you should make use of the same pipe sealants that plumbers would use. Leaks can happen due to age, corrosion and vibration. Pipe sealants work by keeping pipes and fixtures from loosening due to stress.
Liquid pipe sealants are applied to the pipe threads once they have been clean and free of grit. You can then reattach the parts securely. These are a better alternative than tapes when it comes to larger applications.
Tapes
For smaller leaks, plumber tape can temporarily restore your pipes. It helps to lubricate piping connections and prevents them from sticking when disassembling the joint. This strategy promises safe and easy application on a variety of stainless steel, brass and iron pipes.
Once you’ve located the source of the leak and turned the water supply off, wrap the tape around the leaking pipe as tight as possible to create a water-tight seal. It’s important to remember that plumber tape should not be used when securing PVC fittings or valves with a female thread.
Pipe clamps
Pipe clamps are circular or semicircular brackets that can fix small leaks temporarily. It consists of two metal plates and a rubber pad that is placed around the pipe and then tightened as necessary with screws. This is a great method to fix a pinhole leak in a central heating radiator.
Depending on the quality of the pipe clamp and installation, this solution could last you for years but it’s best to get a permanent fix as soon as possible.
Slip couplings
DIYers can use slip couplings to repair burst pipes. Shut the water off to the leaking section and cut out the damaged section of the piping. You will need a rotary pipe cutter to deburr the ends before putting the slip coupling onto the end of the cut pipe. Slide the other section of pipe into the other end of the push-to-connect slipe.
