Leaking pipes and how to stop them

Stopping a Small Leak
Because water in supply pipes is under pressure, it's usually pretty obvious if a pipe is leaking--even if the pipe is inside a wall or above the ceiling.

If water is staining the ceiling or dripping, the leak may be directly above, although water can travel along a joist or other interior framing member and stain a wall or ceiling some distance from the leak itself. If there are no stains or drips overhead as evidence, grab a flashlight and check the pipes in the basement or crawl space.

If the leak is serious, immediately turn off the water at the fixture shutoff valve or at the main shutoff. Call a plumber if you do not want to replace the pipe yourself.

If the leak is minor, you can patch it until the pipe can be replaced. It's smart to keep a couple of sleeve clamps and thick rubber material (such as inner tubing) on hand for emergency repairs.

Seal a leaking pipe in a pinch with a C-clamp, a small block of wood, and a piece of thick rubber.

An adjustable hose clamp with a piece of thick rubber is a fast, quick, and simple temporary pipe repair.

If a pipe is leaking underground, you may never know about it unless you suspect a problem because of excessive water usage. You can tell for sure by turning off all of your fixtures and looking at the water meter's dial.

If it continues to move, registering usage, water is leaking somewhere. Unless there is a marshy area above where you suspect a problem, you may have to call a professional to find the leak and solve the problem

It's a nightmare that most homeowners hope they only have to dream about and never experience - a pipe suddenly springs a leak and water starts spraying. Fortunately, even though your first thought is "Oh my Gawd, what do I do now," there are lots of ways to deal with this situation.

Call Dr.DRiP on 1800 552 758 today