Leaks and Repairs

Leaking Pipes

• Locating the Leak
• Fixing the Leak
• Winterising Your Plumbing System

Locating the Leak

Try these tips to locate a leak:
The sound of running water helps. If you hear it, follow it to its source. You can buy a listening device that amplifies sounds when it's held up to a pipe.
If water is staining the ceiling or dripping down, the leak is probably directly above.
Occasionally, water may travel along a joist and then stain or drip at a point some distance from the leak.
If water stains a wall, it means there's a leak in a section of pipe.
Any wall stain is likely to be below the actual location of the leak and you'll probably need to remove part of the wall to find it.
Without the sound of running water and without drips or stains as evidence, leaks are more difficult to find. Using a flashlight, check all the pipes in the basement or in the crawl space.

Fixing the Leak

If the leak is major, turn off the water immediately, either at the fixture shutoff valve or the main shutoff valve. You'll probably have to replace the leaky section of pipe. If your experience working with pipes is limited, you'll probably want to call in a plumber to do the job. If the leak is small, the ultimate solution is to replace the pipe, but there are temporary solutions until you have time for the replacement job. These methods work for small leaks only.

Clamps should stop most leaks for several months if they're used with a solid rubber blanket. It's a good idea to buy a sheet of rubber, as well as some clamps sized to fit your pipes at a hardware store and keep them on hand just for this purpose.

A sleeve clamp that exactly fits the pipe diameter works best. Wrap a rubber blanket over the leak, then screw the clamp down over the blanket.

An adjustable hose clamp used with a rubber blanket stops a pinhole leak.

If nothing else is at hand, use a C-clamp, a small block of wood and a rubber blanket.

In a pinch, try applying epoxy putty around a joint where a clamp won't work. The pipe must be dry for the putty to adhere. Turn off the water supply to the leak and leave the water off until the putty hardens completely on the pipe.

If you don't have a clamp or putty, you can still stop a small leak temporarily by plugging it with a pencil point.

Winterising Your Plumbing System

Homeowners who used to simply turn down the thermostat in a vacated house for the winter are now closing down the plumbing system because of prohibitively high energy costs. Winterising your plumbing is a virtually cost-free alternative to frozen pipes.

1. Turn off the main shutoff valve or have the water company turn off service to the house.
2. Starting at the top floor, open all faucets, both indoors and outside.
3. When the last of the water has dripped from the taps, open the plug at the main shutoff valve if possible (you may have to contact the water company), and let it drain.
4. Turn off the power or gas to the water heater and open its drain valve.
5. To freezeproof the system, empty toilet bowls and tanks.
6. Remove the clean out plugs on all sink traps or remove the traps, if necessary.
7. Once emptied, replace them and fill with plumbing antifreeze mixed with water in the proportions specified for car in your climate.
8. You won't be able to drain tub and shower taps. Instead, add at least a full quart of antifreeze.
9. Don't put antifreeze into a dishwasher or clothes washer.
10. If your home has a basement floor drain or a main house trap, fill each with full-strength antifreeze.