Leaking pipes within a home often occur for a number of reasons. Some will be through fatigue or external forces such as heat or cold, while others will be through poor workmanship, mistakenly puncturing a pipe while carrying out DIY work or maybe through simply hammering home picture hooks etc. Whatever the reason, leaky pipes can lead to many greater issues if they are not quickly dealt with. With this article we look at some of the tricks that can be applied to at least stave off the worst of any potential damage that could result.
Assuming we are dealing with a small puncture, one of the simplest sort term fixes can be achieve by using a small length of garden hose. Around 5 – 6cm of hose can be simply slit down it's length and wrapped around the pipe and then secured with jubilee clips, one either end and perhaps one centrally across the actual leak. This kind of 'quick fix' can save pounds from knock-on repairs and redecorating, which might otherwise result. It's therefore always worth keeping a few likely repair materials to hand…..perhaps along side those fuses and flashlight. An alternative, but nevertheless simple fix, can sometimes be achieved by using just a lowly old screw. Wrapped in PTFE tape a screw of the appropriate size can sometimes be just the right fit to affect a temporary plug.
With the water switched off and the area dry, a holed pipe can be temporarily fixed using epoxy putty. It may be best to clean the area first using emery cloth or wire wool, then mix a small amount of putty according to the instructions and apply to the pipe. This fix could also be carried out in conjunction with the hose or screw solution outlined above….just to be sure.
For those who are a little more adapt at DIY a more permanent fix could be embarked upon. If the pipe concerned is not detrimental to the heating system or any other service within the house a section of the pipe could be cut and each open end then plugged with a plastic 'stop end', usually available from DIY stores. Perhaps a better alternative to isolating the pipe would be to use a push fit - flexible hose or compression jointed – flexible hose. Again these are available from DIY stores.
A trip to any plumbing merchant or DIY store will reveal a multitude of practical solutions for not only repairing pipes but also for extending and carrying out additions to the array of water based services within the house. A more professional repair to leaks and man made punctures may be best approached through the use of 'slip couplings' and regular 'compression joints'. The mass of brass fittings available nearly always offers long lasting solutions to all but the most complicated tasks. Assuming you have the luxury of time to sift though the offerings a solid brass connection will not only look right but will last years if properly done. If time is against you however, and the leak needs fixing instantly then you need to think quickly. Even tightly bound PVC tape, while not really recommended, may buy you enough time to get the plumber in or take stock of how best to sort the problem on a more permanent basis.
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