Leaky Pipes

Waking up to the sound of drip, drip, drip… is never a good feeling. If you have water leaking from pipes in your basement or other areas of your home, it can be stressful! In these cases, it’s often best to call a plumber to make sure the problem isn’t more severe than it looks at first glance. But if you’re a do-it-yourselfer, we have a few places you can start before you give us a call (616-243-3131 in case you need it handy).

There are many kinds of leaks, but some solutions are pretty intuitive. For example, if the leak is coming from a joint, be sure to try to tighten the joint first. If you see it coming directly from a section of pipe, the entire leaky section might need to be replaced (this is an instance where you’d want to call a professional!).

If you’re looking for a quick fix to get you through a few days before you call, you might want to look into “pipe patching” as a temporary solution.

Option 1: Pipe Compound

If it’s a very small leak, grabbing a pipe compound stick like these is a great first step. Turn the water off and dry the pipe well. Then, simply rub the stick over the hole to stop the leak.

Option 2: Waterproof Tape

Your next temporary solution for slightly bigger leaks is grabbing a roll of waterproof tape (shop Godwin here). Be sure to tape more than just the trouble spot. A good rule of thumb is to tape 2-3 inches on either side of the leak. Make sure you turn off the water and thoroughly dry the pipe before you start wrapping to ensure the tape sticks.

Option 3: Liquid Rubber

Did you know such a thing exists? Yep, another option for a temporary solution is applying waterproof liquid rubber sealant (like this one) over the leaky spot.

Remember, all of these solutions are only temporary fixes for small-scale leaks. A good thing to keep in mind is that typically when one leak occurs, the problem is likely to show up in other areas of your piping too.

When your home is in need, you can count on Godwin Hardware to have the supplies and Godwin Plumbing to handle the job. Looking for an expert plumber? Give our team a call at 616-243-3131 or contact us on our website at godwinplumbing.com.