Repairing Your Leaky Pipes

When faced with the problem of leaky pipes, homeowners, overwhelmed by the high cost of plumbing, often decide to make their own pipe repairs. This decision needs to be made very carefully because pipe repairs are often more difficult than they first appear to be. For instance, when repairing leaky copper pipes, it is important to make all of the pipe repairs while there is absolutely no water touching the repair material. If a drop of water mixes with the solder that is mending the pipe, the pipe will leak even more than it did before the pipe repairs.

Some homeowners in need of pipe repairs are able to make some repairs on their own. If a pipe springs a leak or splits in a small area, it is possible to use epoxy putty to stop the leak and then to wrap the leak with tape soaked in some kind of hardening agent. It is also possible for an industrious homeowner to cut away a small section of pipe and replace it with a coupler or a replacement sleeve. These types of pipe repairs are relatively simple and effective.

It is important to note that when these types of leaky pipe repairs are necessary, it is often due to corrosion in the pipe. Because corrosion is something that spreads, it is possible that it has already begun in other parts of the pipe that do not yet leak.

Once there is a leak in a pipe (especially a copper pipe) it is probable that a process of pipe repairs and repiping throughout the line will eventually be necessary. At this point, the homeowner must decide if it is worth doing piecemeal pipe repairs and replacements rather than doing the necessary leaky pipe repairs on the entire system all at one time. An alternative to do-it-yourself methods will probably be helpful when this occurs.