Water leaking from a pipe into your home can cause severe damage to your walls, the support structures of your home, and even the electrical system. So what should you do to stop the leak and restore your plumbing? In this article, we’ll discuss a few steps you can take to repair a water leak and protect your home.

What You Need To Do To Protect Your Home

1. Start By Locating The Leak

First, make sure you know where the leak is. The leak source may be evident in a basement or under a cabinet, so fixing leaks in these areas yourself is easy. If the pipe is located inside your walls, however, you may be unable to fix it yourself.

2. Turn Off The Water At The Source

Shut off the water supply to your home – open all your taps or attach a hose outside and run it until the water stops draining your plumbing. Doing so will prevent further leaks and water damage.

3. Use Epoxy Putty To Seal Small Leaks

Epoxy putty hardens quickly when applied to copper and plastic pipes, creating a barrier that seals small leaks and prevents further damage. Before using the epoxy, ensure the pipe’s surface is clean and dry. If it’s dirty or wet, the epoxy may not bond properly, leading to further leaks.

Note also that this quick fix will stop further damage for a little while, but it isn’t a permanent solution – call a plumber as soon as possible to have the leak inspected and replace your pipe.

4. Tighten The Pipe Joint (To Fix A Leaking Joint)

Plumbing leaks can occur at pipe joints if the joint is not tight. If it looks like the joint is the problem, tighten it up with a wrench. If a leak still occurs, there may be further damage to the inside of the pipe joint, so it will likely need to be replaced.

5. Cover Larger Leaks With Rubber & Hose Clamps

A giant hole or leak may be fixable with a strip of high-density rubber and hose clamps, which are available at the hardware store. Apply the rubber patch over the leak, and attach the clamps. Then, tighten the clamps to secure the rubber patch over the damaged area.

Again, this is a temporary fix. We do not recommend turning your water back on. This method will prevent any further leaks or damage. If you do not replace the damaged pipe, the leak will likely worsen until the patch fails, and you may experience further water damage. Get in touch with a plumber for a more permanent solution.

Call A Professional Plumber To Finish The Job

If you have a large damaged section of pipe, a pipe burst, or heavy water flowing from a leaky pipe, you probably can’t fix it on your own. Unless you know how to cut and re-attach water pipes properly, this is a job for a pro.

So once you’ve done a quick fix with a patch or epoxy, it’s time to call a pro. Contact Wilco Plumbing to find a permanent solution for plumbing leaks and leaking pipes. If you have a water leak, call (02) 9186 3371 to get started – our Sydney plumbers offer 24/7 emergency services.