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Oh, no: it seems that a pipe is leaking in your home! For a homeowner, this isn’t a happy observation to discover, since it means you’ll have to get it repaired — but noticing early on will save your property from a potential flood, followed by irreversible water damage.
So, before you panic, here’s what you need to remember when you initially notice a pipe leak:
Remain Calm
Though it’s often easier said than done, it’s always best to remain calm throughout a pipe leak (big or small). Sometimes, when a homeowner gets flustered, it could lead to a potentially bigger problem at hand. Think about it: if you’re panicking over a pipe leak, chances are you’ll do something out of the ordinary — which might disrupt the leak even more.
While remaining calm, it’s crucial to weigh out the severity of the leak. Of course, you need to assess the situation appropriately — but how should you go about that? Merely inspect every square inch of the pipe to see where the leak is coming from. Not only will this give you peace of mind, but it will provide you with more accuracy when taking the next step: finding the exact source of the leak.
Inspect the Pipe
Pro Tip: calmly inspect every square inch of the pipe. Sometimes when a pipe begins to leak, the entire piece could get wet, making the leak look as if it’s coming from a variety of different sources. To find the exact source of the leak, you’ll want to look for an area where the water pressure is the strongest.
For the best result, you’ll want to dry the pipe down with either a towel or microfiber cloth. This will not only give you more accuracy while inspecting, but it will help navigate you to the source of the leak. Once you discover the location of the leak, then it’s time to shut the water off.
Shut the Water Off
Once you have located where the leak in the pipe, it’s time to shut off the water valve. This will not only (clearly) stop the water from running to the pipe, but it will save you from a potential flood or mess in your home. If you’re not sure where to locate the valve, you’ll want to look at the very top of the pipe. From there, you’ll search for the valve of the pipe. Once discovered, it’s time to turn it off.
Get Remaining Water Out
Once you turn the valve of the pipe off, it’s time to let any remaining water run entirely out from any faucets. This will not only stop excess water from spilling onto the ground, but it will clear the pipe out so that there will be a clean base to work with.
When completing this step, you need to turn on any faucet/fixture that’s connected to the pipe. If you’re not sure which are connected, then it’s simple to discover; you’ll see a noticeable difference in water pressure. After this step is complete, it’s time to fix the pipe!
Seal the Leak
When it comes to fixing the leak, it can often be a DIY job. To start, you’ll want to get an epoxy putty that will ultimately seal the leak. If you’re not sure which one will work best, then you can always consult with a professional at your local home improvement store. Once you acquire the epoxy putty, then it’s time to seal the deal!
Before you apply the epoxy, you’ll want to take a towel and completely dry the area. Once that’s complete, take a putty knife and generously apply the epoxy putty to the area. You’ll want to apply the putty smoothly — and in areas further than the hole, too.
A smooth application will not only help take care of the leak, but it will make sure that it doesn’t spread or reopen in other areas. Next, wrap the putty in duct tape. This will act as a way to seal the putty even further and will help it heat up. Now it’s time for the final step: turning the water back on.
Turn the Water Back On
Before you turn the water pipe valve back on, you’ll want to make sure that the epoxy putty has set and dried for at least an hour or more. Prematurely turning on the water can lead to a reopened leak.
Don’t be alarmed: it might take a few minutes for the water to come back in full-force. After that’s complete, you’ll want to check the faucets/fixtures you turned on earlier to see if the water is coming through again. If the water is flowing out of those faucets/fixtures, then the job is done, and you’re out of harm’s way — but we highly recommend that you contact Centennial Plumbing, Heating & Electrical to ensure your pipes are in good health.
Need Help? Call Centennial for Expert Saskatoon Leak Repairs
Is it time to replace your pipes? Give us a call at (306) 500-7392 to schedule your pipe replacement today! At Centennial Plumbing, Heating & Electrical, we have been providing exemplary plumbing services since 1967.
Contact us online to request a service appointment.
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