It is common for people to panic in the event of a burst pipe. However, anyone can do emergency leak repairs to help prevent more damage from happening until a professional fixes the problem.
According to the EPA, fixing a leak can save homeowners 11,000 gallons per year. These steps will help you if your home has a lot of water.
– Find the source of the leak. If you don’t know the source of the leak, it is impossible to repair it. Sometimes a pipe rupture or hole will be obvious. You may need to look for the leak by following the water’s course.
– Turn off the water. After you find the source of your leak, shut off the water supply. If you don’t need to turn off all the water in your home, it is a good idea to first shut off the main shutoff valve.
– Drain the pipe and dry it. Open the valve or faucet that connects to your pipe and let any water drain out. The pipe should be dried.
– Stop the leakage. An emergency fix can be done so that water can still be used before permanent repairs are made. You can use a pencil to fill a very small hole. After it has plugged the hole, cut off its tip and wrap electrical tape or duct tape around it.
A washer and a screw can be used to place the washer around the hole. Next, insert the screw into the hole.
Flexible epoxy may be a good choice if the leak is located at a joint between pipes. You can simply cut a piece from the tube of epoxy, hold it in your hands and press it into the hole.
It is important to have a leak detection system in place for homeowners who are not home. FloLogic, Inc. created a product to catch and stop leaks as soon as possible.
The FloLogic System is able to prevent water waste as well as water damage. The FloLogic System acts as a circuit breaker in plumbing systems. It monitors the water supply to one point in the main. The product will shut off water supply if the flow exceeds a set limit. This alarm sounds at the keypad and lets you know it’s high time to call a plumber. Insurance companies often offer discounts to homeowners who have the FloLogic System installed.
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