How to Fix a Leaky Pipe Joint in Forest Lawn, AB

One day, you walk into your kitchen or bathroom and hear a telltale drip, drip, drip. You peek beneath the sink and confirm your fear: The pipe is leaking at the joint, and it’s already made a huge mess. Maybe you’ve called a plumber, but they won’t arrive for hours or even days. What should you do in the meantime?

Below, learn how to fix a leaking pipe joint with DIY plumbing repair techniques. If your pipe still won’t stop dripping, call us for plumbing services in Forest Lawn, AB.

Is Your Pipe Actually Leaking?

Before diving into DIY pipe joint repair, it’s important to know whether your pipe is truly leaking. If you spot moisture on a pipe, it doesn’t necessarily mean it has sprung a leak. Rather, it may be sweating.

Sweating happens when your home’s air (or the outdoor air) becomes much hotter than the water inside the pipes. This causes condensation to form on the pipes. If there’s enough condensation, it can start dripping, making it look like the pipe is leaking.

To solve the problem, wipe away any moisture and wrap insulating drip tape around the offending pipe.

How to Fix a Leaking Pipe Joint: DIY Pipe Fixes and Leak Sealing Methods

If your pipe is indeed leaking, not just sweating, you may wonder how to fix a leaking pipe joint. You have a few options to try:

• Wrap plumber’s tape around the leaky joint. Plumber’s tape is waterproof and will keep a leak at bay, at least temporarily. Be sure to dry the pipe well before applying the plumber’s tape.
• If the plumber’s tape doesn’t work, self-fusing silicone tape may do the trick. While water renders most types of tape useless, this tape gets stronger as water passes over it. Apply it in the same way you would plumber’s tape.
• Use a wrench to tighten the connection between the joint and the pipe. Sometimes, this is enough to stop a leak for good.
• Apply epoxy putty to the leaky pipe. Once applied, the epoxy will dry and harden, forming a watertight seal over the leak.
• Cover the affected pipe with fibreglass wrap, which fuses with pipes when wet. Fibreglass wrap lasts a long time, making it ideal if you can’t call a plumber right away.
• Use a patch kit to seal your leaky pipe. Patch kits come with a rubber pad, which goes over the leaky area, and metal plates to supply compression. You can buy a patch kit at hardware stores or make your own if you’re handy.

What Causes Pipes to Leak in Forest Lawn, AB?

Now that you’ve learned how to fix a leaking pipe joint, you may be wondering why your pipe started leaking in the first place. Only a plumber can tell you for sure, but the most common causes of leaking pipes include the following:

• Failed sealant: Your pipes have rubber sealant around the connections that forms a watertight seal. Over time, this sealant can degrade, resulting in a leak.
• Corrosion: If your home has metal pipes, they’re at risk of corroding, allowing water to escape.
• Clogs: Small clogs usually won’t cause pipes to leak. But if not removed promptly, clogs can worsen to the point where they put pressure on pipe walls, resulting in a leak.
• High water pressure: No homeowner wants annoyingly low water pressure, but high water pressure is just as bad. It can weaken your pipes to the point where they leak.

What to Do If Your Pipe Won’t Stop Leaking

If you’ve tried the above water leak prevention fixes but your pipe joint continues to leak, the best thing to do is call a plumber from High Point Plumbing, Air Conditioning, and Heating Repair. Our expert plumbers in Forest Lawn will stop that irritating leak in no time.

If your pipes have degraded to the point that they leak in multiple places, we may suggest replacing them. We offer a seamless re-piping process, knowledgeable plumbers, and fair rates.