How To Deal With A Simple Pipe Leak

A Pipe Leak needs to be taken care of as soon as you discover it if you want to avoid a bigger problem and more expensive complications further down the line. Sometimes, you will find out because there is water spouting all over the place, other times there are more subtle signs you can be on the look-out for.

Signs You Could Have A Pipe Leak

Here are some signs to look out for and investigate, especially if you already have reason to believe you have a Pipe Leak:

• Your water bill is higher than usual
• You see can see changes in your water meter reading even when water is not in use
• You have chronic sewer problems
• You regularly experience dripping taps or running toilets
• You can hear the sound of running water even when water is not being used
• There is a musty smell near your drains and sewers
• You experience mildew or warm spots on your floor, or you have moisture underneath your carpets
• You have a problem with damp
• You have wet, soggy areas outside in your garden

How To Fix A Pipe Leak In A Hurry

If you are less fortunate and have a torrent of water to deal with unexpectedly you will need to make a contingency plan before the plumber arrives. The first thing you need to do is switch the water off while you get yourself prepared.

Check out the course of the problem. If the leak has sprung up at a joint then tighten it. If the leak is in the pipe you will need to remove the leaking section and replace it. If you have copper pipes, it will need to be soldered so this may not work as a quick fix solution.

Modern pipe patches are available from hardware and DIY stores and offer temporary relief, like over the weekend when you can't get a professional in to sort it out straight away. If you are more resourceful, you can make your own repair kit out of a C-clamp and a piece of rubber inner tube.

You will still need to seal the site you repaired, and can use waterproof tape, epoxy paste or you can insert a self-tapping plug to fix the leak temporarily. If you are using waterproof tape, make sure that the area is completely dry and that you wrap a big enough area to give it support.

Also be aware that it is not unusual for an old pipe to spring leaks up in different sections, so be prepared.

Other Leak Repair Tips, How To & General Advice

• Plumbing Leak Tips 
• Repairing a Leak 
• Repairing a Leaky Toilet 
• How to Deal With a Simple Pipe Leak 
• Leak Detection Advice 
• Tips for Leak Detection 
• Fixing a Bathtub Leak 
• Fixing a Pipe Leak Yourself