When you have an emergency, it can be helpful to know what to do when your pipes start leaking. This article outlines how to patch a leaking pipe in the meantime with some quick and easy tricks.

Find the Source of the Leak

Finding the source of the leak is the first step to solving a problem like this. First, look for water dripping from any cracks or holes in the pipe; then you can determine where the leak is coming from. You can use a mirror to do this, or put on safety goggles if needed.

Turn the main switch off and stop the flow of water

Turn the main switch off and disconnect the electricity. This will cut power to the affected areas of your home.  This is done by cutting off the water supply at the closest shut-off valve. Some valves are on outside walls and cannot be reached without climbing a ladder, while some are inside walls that can be accessed from the ground. Next, make a list of all the materials you’ll need to patch up the pipe. You’ll need a bucket, a large towel or cloth, flexible putty knife, screwdriver, bucket stopper, duct tape, masking or painter’s tape and an ice pick.

Clean and Dry the Pipe

The best way to clean a pipe is by using a plunger. Plug the end of the plunger with a cloth and push it into the pipe. Then, find a bucket that’s deep enough to cover the end of the plunger, and put it in there. Fill up half of the bowl with water from your sink and slowly pour it into the bucket until you have completely filled it. Next, put your hand inside where your plunger was and plug your faucet. Open up your hand so that all of the water in the bucket spills out onto your floor or porcelain tub. Lower yourself in with another person to help out so they can explore for any leaks in the pipes with their hands while you remain submerged in water

Choose your Patch

There are a few good options for a good patch to buy. You can go with a standard 3″ PVC pipe patch. This is a less expensive option, but it’s also not as durable as the others. A better option would be the 4″ PVC pipe patch that has a cover that keeps water from leaking out or the 5″ PVC pipe patch. The last option is the 8″ PVC pipe patch that has an extra layer of protection from leaks and prevents dirt from getting in between your pipes.

Use Pipe Wraps

Pipe wraps are a great tool for permanently fixing a leak in your pipe. It not only stops the flow of water, but also protects the pipe from further damage until it can be repaired. You can wrap any length of pipe with these wraps, but they work best on pipes up to 16 inches in diameter.

Pipe Clamps

Pipe clamps are a type of clamp used to temporarily stop or close off a pipe. They can be found at most hardware stores and home centers and come in different sizes and styles depending on what you need them to do. To use these clamps, loosen them by turning the ratchet until they’re fully open, then tighten it by rotating it clockwise with your hand.

Duct tape

Duct tape is an affordable and widely available item that can help you fix a leaky pipe until the plumber arrives. To fix a leak, wrap duct tape around the pipe. If the leak still persists, consider turning off the water supply at your home or business and call your local plumber company to schedule a repair, as it may be able to bypass the damaged area.

Call Local Plumber for Emergency Leak Repair

If you can’t tell where the leak is coming from, call local plumber for emergency leak repair. Most leaks can be fixed quickly, but if not, you should call your insurance company to file an insurance claim. If the pipe is old or deteriorating, it may be time to replace it.