Leaky pipes are a real nuisance and can create all sorts of problems in your house. When they start to seep
water, it’s time to call the plumber. But you shouldn’t have to wait for days just to get some help, there are
ways you can fix your leak on your own as well. All you need is a little time and some materials that are
usually around the home, like masking tape or paint.
Below are some suggestions on how to patch a leaky pipe while you wait for the plumber:
1. Make a temporary fix
The cheapest and easiest way to fix your leaking pipe is to use plastic bags or plastic wrap. Just find a small
plastic bag and put it around the pipe. Use masking tape to keep the bag in place. Put another layer of plastic
wrap then secure it with more tape. If you don’t have any bags around, you can use old rags instead as long
as they don’t have holes in them, so water won’t seep through.
2. Put a bucket under the leak
Placing a bucket underneath the leak as a temporary fix is another alternative you can try. Again, don’t
forget to secure both the bucket and the pipe where it is leaking with masking tape or any other material that
is available. The water will still go down, but at least the leak is temporarily taken care of.
3. Use epoxy to stop the leak
Epoxy works well for fixing leaks in pipes since its adhesive properties are usually stronger than those of
regular glue. It also dries faster, so you can fix your leaking pipe in less than an hour.
4. Wrap tape around the pipe
Put some masking tape around the pipe, then secure it with more tape. The plastic wrap should be directly
over the top of the pipe and not on top of any flimsy walls or furniture around it. Place a piece of paper towel
over it as well to keep any dirt down and hold everything in place so it can’t move while you’re working on it.
5. Patch with tarps
Cut some tarps or other waterproof fabric, put them around the outside of your leak, and then secure them
with a few layers of masking tape. If you want, you can also use tape to seal the edges so that water can’t
seep through.
6. Use insulation
Use insulation on top of your leak to prevent any harsh movement that may cause more damage to your
house or leaky pipes. Insulation comes in many forms: spray-on foam insulation is best for leaks in the wall
or floor level, while spray-on polyurethane insulation is ideal around pipes and other difficult to reach
areas.
Conclusion
Leaking pipes can be annoying to deal with, especially if you have to wait a day or two just to get some help.
Luckily, there are ways you can take care of your leaking pipe while you wait for the plumber. Just make
sure that whatever method you use is safe and will not create more problems in the long run.