Leaking pipes need immediate attention, but
it's not always practical to carry out a permanent repair straight away.
Instead, you can carry out a temporary job to tide things over.
This can be done in one of two ways and both
are very simple. But whichever one you choose, start by turning off the
water to the section of pipe that's affected and draining it down.
One short-term solution uses a piece of
garden hose. Ensure it has a large enough diameter to go round the pipe,
then cut it lengthways and place over the damaged part of the pipe.
Fasten the hosepipe with a minimum of three
jubilee clips, attaching one in the middle and one at either end. Tighten
them up as much as you can to seal the hose against the pipe and stop any
more water escaping.
The second method uses a proprietary brand
of epoxy putty, which is a two-part mix that dries hard and will bond
itself to most metals, so long as they are dry.
Begin by using emery paper to clean the area
of pipe either side of the damaged bit, so as to ensure the putty is given
the best chance of sticking.
Following the manufacturer's instructions,
mix up the two components to make the putty, then press it into place over
the damaged pipe, making sure it is the right thickness.
Use a small filling knife to smooth the
putty out then leave it to dry thoroughly for the required amount of time,
before turning the water back on.
If you've been unlucky enough to hammer a
nail into a pipe, resist the temptation to yank it back out straight away
because a nail in a pipe usually only causes a slow leak.
On the other hand, removing the nail before
the water's been turned off will leave a hole through which it can flow
freely, and could cause considerable damage.
Therefore, the first step is to isolate the
water supply and drain the pipe down. Next, put down a bucket or tray and
some cloths or newspaper to collect any residual water that could be in
the pipe. Once this is done, remove the nail and repair the leak.
To avoid causing another puncture like this
in the future, check what lies beneath the surface you plan to screw or
nail into by using a pipe and cable detector.
Although temporary repairs are an excellent
way to overcome immediate problems, they won't last forever, so set to
work on the permanent job the minute you have enough time and the right
materials and equipment.
As always, start by turning off the water to
the affected pipe and draining the pipework. Then cut out the damaged
section of pipe and fit a new length in its place, with compression or
solder fittings at each end.
