Diy Measures For Leaking Water Pipes Till The Experts Arrive On The Scene!

By Author: Zac Mealmaker
Total Articles: 98
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The constant dripping sound coming from your kitchen can drive you nuts. Where exactly is the leak? Is it the pipe attached to the kitchen sink? Or is it the pipe linked to the dishwasher? Whichever it is, leaking water pipes is nothing less than a nuisance for the homeowner. It is a reminder that the pipe in your kitchen is worn out and you have to do something to fix the problem. How do you deal with it? Below are some easy to implement DIY measures that can help you deal with the matter till the expert is there to fix the leaking pipe:
 

Turn of the water supply so that the dripping stops. The moment you turn it off, you will notice that the dripping has slowed down and finally, it will stop. If it is not possible to turn of the water supply because you need to carry out your kitchen activities, then you should put a bucket below the pipe from where the water is dripping. The water will get collected in the bucket while you wait for the expert to arrive.

If it is a small leak, you ...
... can put a layer of epoxy putty over the pipe to stop the dripping. Pay close attention to the pipe to identify the area from where the leak is taking place. Apply the putty there. Make sure that the putty is applied properly. You should let it dry properly. Once it hardens, it will stop the water dripping from the pipe. It is a good way to deal with the leak.

Use a self-fusing silicone tape over the damaged area to prevent the water from dripping. The silicone tape is strong enough to prevent the drip from happening for few days. But in the time being you should call in the experts to deal with the matter. Don’t just wait for things to get good on its own.

You can use a repair cast as well to make a hardened patch. These casts have an epoxy-like putty and fiberglass tape in them which ensures that the patch remains in place and does not get lodged because of the water dripping in it. Once the patch has hardened, you should switch on the water supply valve to ensure that the leak is properly covered.

You can use a repair sleeve and clamp to cover the hole in the pipe. Choose a sleeve that is long enough to cover the damage area. Make sure to close the gasket tightly on both sides of the sleeve so that it remains in place. It is a good but temporary solution. You cannot depend on it for long. You have to get the damaged pipe inspected by the experts for a better and long-lasting solution.

 
If none of the above steps is working or even when they are working you need a better and more permanent solution, you need to replace the damaged pipe with a new one. And for this you have to get in touch with professionals who will inspect the leaking water pipes to identify the reason/s behind the damage. They will tell you why the pipe got damaged and started to leak. Once the source and the cause of the leak has been identified, they will take the necessary measures to fix the problem for good. We strongly recommend that when the expert visits your property, you should ask him to inspect all the pipes in the house. You don’t know what is the existing condition of the other pipes. What if those are damaged as well? But since there are no signs, you have no idea about it. Don’t wait for things to go out of control. Since, the expert is at your place examining the already damage pipe, it is better to get the others inspected as well. This way you will know what to do and how to deal with the matter.
 
Before you call in the experts to fix the leaking water pipes, you need to understand what caused the leak. If you are unable to pinpoint the exact reasons, then let the experts explain it to you. At times, due to your lack of kitchen repair and renovation work, the pipes are in poor condition. Like everything else, the pipes in the house also undergo regular wear and tear and tend to get damaged with the passage of time. Knowing the reason is crucial because then you would know what to do so as to prevent this for happening again in the future.
 
For example: if the leak has occurred due to your negligence, then you need to be proactive and prompt from now onwards. You should give due attention to home repair and maintenance on a regular basis so that your kitchen, the pipes and the rest of the property remains in good condition.
 
Final Words:
What are you waiting for? Once you try the DIY measures, you should call the experts so that they can come down ASAP and look into the matter and fix the issue without any delay. Leaking pipes should be an absolute no-no.
 
About the Author: This contribution has been made by Zac Mealmaker who has written a number of articles on Leaking Water Pipes and provides fruitful information.