How to Patch a Leaking Pipe With Household Items

Pipe leaks can happen at any moment or at any time in the household. Sometimes, it is easier to call a plumber and get it fixed as soon as possible, while there are other times you have to deal with it by yourself until the plumber is available. Some of the pipe leaks can be major enough to flood your home, and some are minor and not damaging at all. However, these things can happen, and you must be aware of how to handle it on an urgent basis to avoid any significant issues.

Types of Supply Lines

Before you start learning the process, you must be aware of the types of supply lines to detect the problem easily. The main components of supply lines include the following.

• Main Supply Lines
• Main Drain Lines
• Dishwasher Lines
• Disposal Lines
• Line Valve Stems

Different Ways to Patch a Leaky Pipe

Here are some ways you can patch a leaky pipe with available household items.

Fiberglass Tape

First of all, you need to find the area of the leakage and stop the water line to stop the flow. After that, clean the area and dry it. Apply the fiberglass tape on the leak and let it dry for fifteen minutes so that way it can harden and seal. If the leak is minor, then it can be turned out to be a long-term solution, but for the major issue, it will be a temporary fix, and you’ll have to get it fixed soon.

Rubber Bicycle Tube

That’s right! If you happen to have a spare bicycle tube around the house (or if you want to remove it from a bicycle tire you already have), you can use it to stop the leak. Grab the rubber tube, and tie it in a tight knot around the pipe (if possible) to secure it. Make sure it is tight enough to be able to hold the pressure firm against the pipe, to prevent further leakage. Of course, this isn’t a long-term solution, but will give you enough time to figure out further solutions.

Epoxy Putty

This is one of the common and popular ways of fixing a leaky pipe. Using the epoxy putty on the pipe hardens the surface of the pipe and prevents the water flow. After locating the right area of the leakage, make sure to dry it properly to absorb all the moisture, along with removing the rust from the sandpaper, and then apply the epoxy putty. Most of the brands provide epoxy putty, which is ready to use, while some of the solutions might require mixing.

Slip Coupling

Slip coupling is usually used to connect two pipes, and you can also find it in the hardware items available from the previous plumbing job at home. While the first two solutions might sound temporary but this can be a permanent way to patch the pipe. You must make sure that the slip coupling you have is the same size and diameter as your current pipe; otherwise, it will be of no use, and you’ll have to buy a different one. You’ll require a pipe cutter or hacksaw to cut the pipe from the damaged area and install the slip coupling for the tight connection.

Different Types of Pipes

Since we have already learned about how to patch a pipe, let’s also discuss the different types because not all pipes have the same properties. Some of the types of pipes include the following.

Copper Pipe

Copper pipes are usually used for the water supply lines. These pipes are durable for the long term, but sometimes they might face issues with high pressure. Copper pipes are a little more expensive than ordinary pipes.

Galvanized Pipe

This type of pipe is often used for transferring the water supply to homes and commercial buildings. Galvanized pipe is better because it prevents rust, and it is mostly used for outdoor and industrial applications.

PVC Pipe

This is one of the most used pipes for household drain and irrigation systems. PVC pipe is great for water services, and it is durable for the long term. However, it is not highly recommended for the hot water supply.

PEX Pipe

PEX is the flexible plastic pipe commonly used for water supply lines. You can usually find this pipe in two colors which are red and blue, from which red indicates the hot water supply and blue for the cold-water supply.