A leak on a pipe can happen to you at any time. The key is to act quickly to stop it before it causes irreversible and/or costly damage. Fortunately, it is possible to repair a leak quite simply. All you have to do is turn off the water supply, look for the source of the leak and repair it with the appropriate equipment and by doing the right things. Discover our solutions to repair your leaks on pipes without difficulty.Get ready and gear up
Shutting off the water supply.
The first thing to do is simply turn off the water supply to the house. If you notice a leak, this simple action is the first to do to avoid major damage. In addition, you can work much more easily by turning off the water.To do this, we advise you to close the supply at the level of the meter then to open your residential taps or your drain tap to drain the entire plumbing circuit.In addition, we advise you to equip yourself with the right tools so that you have them all at hand during your intervention.
Preparation of the pipe
When you have identified the origin of the leak, it is important to clean the pipe thoroughly before starting your repair so that it holds properly and lasts. Scrub it with a wire brush to polish the surface well and remove all dirt and oxidation residue. If the pipe is greasy, clean it well with a rag and rubbing alcohol and let it dry.
A leak at a plumbing connection
The vast majority of leaks are at plumbing connections . If so, first check that the clamp nut is not loose. In this case, tighten it with a wrench and restart the water supply to check that the leak is stopped.
If despite this change the leak persists, the problem may come from the seal. This wears out over time and can be cut or no longer perform its function properly. Completely unscrew the plumbing fitting and replace the gasket with a new one. Then restart the water supply. Be careful, because the leak can stop after only a few moments, the time for the seal to fully expand and occupy all the space so as to seal the connection.
Temporary clogging
To stop the temporary leak while you repair your pipe, you will need to do a solid seal. The pipe must be dry and clean. Several options are available to you.
The flexible tape
Apply your flexible tape all around your pipe, at the level of the leak and extending to the sides by about 5 cm. Stretch it well and arrange it in a spiral, overlapping the layers well. Each layer must cover the previous one by half to properly seal the leak.Wear gloves and mix the two parts of the epoxy putty in equal parts until a homogeneous paste is formed. Apply it to the location of the leak in a ribbon format all around the damaged pipe and stretch it on the sides to properly seal the pipe; moisten your finger to better smooth the surface. Let it dry and harden for about two hours before running the water again.
These cloggings can last for a certain time until the leak is definitively repaired, in particular by welding.