Whether you’re dealing with a slow drip, or you’ve got a gusher, a leaky pipe can be a serious problem. If the pipe is dripping on electrical wires, it can be even more dangerous. It is important to fix a leak as soon as you discover it. You can waste hundreds of dollars in water costs every year from one leaky pipe, let alone the damage caused by the water.
So, locate your leaky pipe and determine whether or not you need to shut off any electrical circuits. If you are dealing with a pipe in a laundry room, it is best to trip the circuits to the washer and dryer before you get started, for safety. In serious situations, you may be best served by simply turning off your main breaker. Just make sure you have a battery powered light source if you need to do this.
Once you have your leaky pipe located, you’ll need to turn off the water supply to your house. In most cases, this should be located near the water heater. You should see a large pipe with a valve. Turn the valve in a counterclockwise direction until you cannot turn it anymore. You’ve now shut off the main water supply, but please keep in mind that you may have some water left in the pipes.
Now, you’re ready to get started. For the purpose of this tutorial, we’re going to deal with PVC pipes, since they are much easier to fix. If you’ve got metal pipes, it may be easier to call a professional, especially if you do not have any experience with welding. In order to fix your pipe, you’re going to need to have the following on hand:
- Pipe solvent (used to clean the ends of the pipes)
- pipe fittings (make sure you have the appropriate size - you should have a couple of joints and if necessary, an end-cap)
- an extra length of pipe that is the same size as your existing pipe
- PVC pipe cement
- if necessary, plumber’s putty
- a cutting device, such as a hacksaw
- a blowtorch to clean up the ends after you cut the pipe
Locate the leak and determine how much new pipe you will need to replace the old pipe. Cut this to size before you get started. Go to the existing pipe and cut out the section that has the leak. If you’ve got a bucket on hand, this will help catch any water that may be left in the pipe. Use your blowtorch to sear off any jagged edges. Coat both ends of the existing pipe in solvent to clean them. Take two joints, one for each end. Apply the solvent to the new pipe and the joints.
Take your pipe cement and coat both ends, and the joints. Quickly (less than 10 seconds) put the new joints on the new pipe. They should only need 15 seconds to set. Now, coat the other ends of the joints with cement and the ends of the old pipe. Quickly place them together and allow them to dry. You’ve fixed your leak! If temperatures are above 50 degrees, you should be able to run water through the pipes within a few minutes. If they are below 50, wait a few hours to give the cement time to completely set.
Photo Credits: 1
Related Posts- How to Be Your Own Plumber The Easy Way Plumbing problems can be costly, but most of the time, they are relatively easy to fix, especially if you know what you’re doing. You can save thousands of dollars every year by learning how to be your own plumber and you’ll be gaining knowledge that can help you, especially in......
- How to Fix a Clogged Shower Drain If your showers are starting to feel more like a bath, thanks to the amount of standing water you have in your tub, it's definitely time to address some clogs. Bathtubs and showers have to deal with a lot of hair on a daily basis and it doesn't take......
- What Type of Heat System Right for You? Even though winter is the farthest thing from many minds right now, this is the perfect time to start thinking about your heating options. As heating oil and propane costs skyrocket, many homeowners are starting to think about different ways that they can save money on their heating costs. Here......
- Basic Home Repair: Home Improvement DVD The Basic Home Repair: Home Improvement DVD is designed to provide complete details and lessons on home repair topics including energy conservation, home security, replacing a faucet, sweating copper pipes, replacing toilets, unclogging drain clogs, replacing the caulk on a tub, replacing lighting fixtures, repairing broken lamps, replacing tiles that......
- How to Replace a Built-in Dishwasher The under counter appliances in your kitchen are not complicated to install or replace, and can easily be handled by the homeowner. All it takes is a few steps that are simple to perform. The first step in replacing a built in washer is to remove the old one. Removing......
- Some music to bring you a little fun on a Monday morning! Animusic Pipe Dream... if this video doesn't make you happy... very clever animation! It's cold here...41 degrees, brrr....which must seem like a heat wave to some of you. Karin ......
- Curves, the place I really enjoy going to Curves, been going now for about 2 years, though I didn't go for about 2-3 weeks over the holidays. Life was just too too for me to relax enough to enjoy it. Then, I wonder if I'll ever start it back up again. But I'm......
