Get a temporary fix in place for your pipe leak until a plumber can arrive
Just like you may have an emergency kit containing flashlights for a power outage, you can prepare for a pipe leak with a few key materials. Having this ready before there’s a problem can be the difference between major and minor water damage in your home. Below we’ve broken down some temporary fixes for a leaking pipe to buy you some time while you wait for a plumber and a more permanent solution.
A pipe leak can range from moisture under your sink to a full-blown pipe leak draining water onto your favorite area rug. To be prepared for each of these and everything in between, consider the locations and plumbing components that might contribute to a pipe leak. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that household leaks waste nearly 1 trillion gallons of water yearly in the U.S., identifying the following leak types as the main culprits.
If your shower seems to run when you aren’t in it, you could have a showerhead leak. According to Joseph Wood, Expert Review Board member and Boston-based Master Plumber, “Shower Heads are ‘dumb’ and do not control water output. They simply form water into a desirable pattern for bathing. If water comes from a showerhead, unless a residual drip that ends a few minutes after the shower is shut off, you have a leaking shower valve.”
If a showerhead's threaded connection is spraying water, you can fix this simply by ensuring you have a full connection between the showerhead and the pipe stem. Use pipe tape to secure it (this is also called Teflon tape). You can also check to see if the washer or “o” ring, which is located inside the showerhead, needs replacing.
Some simple fixes for leaking showers should minimize wasted water while you contact a local plumber, and they may even resolve the issue in the meantime.
Faucet leaks aren’t just annoying occurrences that interrupt binge-watching your new favorite show; they also waste a lot of water. According to the EPA, even just one drip per second is equivalent to 180 showers per year. One easy temporary fix for this kind of leak you can try while you wait for a plumber is replacing your aerator, located right inside the faucet. You can pretty easily replace the aerator with a towel and wrench.
Look for the type of aerator with a shutoff built into it. The up and down level up/down lever will help control the amount of water flow you want to use.
While this type of leak may seem less harmful, this isn’t necessarily the case. An outdoor leak can cause minor flooding and infiltrate your basement or other structures, eventually causing indoor damage. They can also drip undetected for ages, resulting in exorbitant water bills. If you have an irrigation system, you should check for leaks periodically, especially before first using it after winter or particularly cold weather.
One of the most common problems, a runny toilet usually leaks right down the drain, leaving the homeowner none the wiser. This results in huge water bills.
You may recognize a toilet leak from seeing water on the bathroom floor and hearing the toilet run when it’s not in use. In addition, you may have to hold the handle down to empty the tank all the way or may see extra water coming down into the drain when you aren’t flushing it. All of these signs indicate it’s time for the food coloring test.
According to the Portland Water District, this simple diagnostic procedure will let you know if you have a leak: Put about 10 drops of food coloring into the toilet tank (not the bowl) without flushing, and wait about 10-15 minutes. If you see colored water in the toilet bowl, you have a leak. If left unfixed, a toilet leak can damage surrounding areas and cause a significant increase in your water bill. A plumber can also help you identify when a full toilet replacement is a better choice.
Before you duct tape a pipe leak and hope for the best, consider these alternatives that can save your home from damage while you await professional help. Some products are better for specific types of pipes, so knowing what material you are working with can help you make a quick decision when time matters. Don’t forget to shut off the main water supply or use a local shut-off valve as soon as you see a leak to prevent as much damage as possible while you solve the issue.
You can use a patch clamp or pipe leak repair clamp to temporarily fix small leaks. The clamps have a rubber pad inside, so when you attach them to a pipe, the rubber acts as a seal against the pipe material. Securement only takes a few minutes, so it’s a quick and affordable solution.
Locate the leaking area of the pipe.
Fold the inner sleeve of the clamp around the damaged section of pipe.
Place the clamp over the sleeve.
Tighten the screws on the clamp until the water is no longer escaping.
Give the screws an extra half turn to keep the leak at bay until a plumber arrives.
Depending on the quality of the pipe clamp and proper installation, pipe clamps can last for years. Although a years-long repair might sound good, keep in mind that pipes, depending on the type, can last 50 to 100 years. So it’s still best to get a permanent repair done as soon as you can.
A pipe sleeve is similar to a clamp, but it’s usually reserved for PVC pipe, so it’s only useful if your drain lines are leaking. The installation is simple, provided you have clear access to the leaking section of piping.
Shut off any fixtures that could feed into the drain line while you’re working. If you’re working under the kitchen sink, that could include the sink itself and the dishwasher. If the damage is near the P-trap, consider removing and emptying the P-trap before you get started.
Remove the rubber portion of the pipe sleeve and wrap it around the damaged section of the drainpipe.
Wrap the metal ties around either side of the rubber sleeve and feed the ends into the clamping mechanism.
Use a screwdriver to turn the screws on the clamping mechanism clockwise to tighten. Hand tighten, but don’t overtighten.
Turn on a fixture that feeds into the drain line to test for leaks.
Call a plumber to carry out a permanent fix, like cutting out the damaged area and soldering new pipe into place.
Epoxy putty works for copper and galvanized steel pipes but not for plastic pipes like PVC or PEX. You may be wondering—what is a PEX pipe, and do I have them? They’re either red, blue, white, or gray and are more flexible than other types of plastic piping. Move on to another method if you’re looking to fix a PEX or PVC pipe.
Turn off the water to the leaking area and wipe down the pipe.
Apply the putty to the leak. Prepare the epoxy properly according to the instructions on the packaging.
Let the epoxy dry for about an hour.
For extra durability, use duct tape on top of the epoxy to keep it in place.
Turn the water back on slowly and look for leaks. Even if you don’t see leaks, call a plumber for a more permanent fix.
A slip coupling is a quick and easy way to fix a leaking pipe that doesn’t involve sealing the leak. Slip couplings can actually be permanent solutions, but only when a professional installs them. DIYers have access to temporary slip couplings, like push-to-connect couplings for copper pipes. These will fail over time, so don’t use them as a substitute for calling a plumber near you.
Shut the water off to the leaking area.
Wipe the damaged section of piping dry.
Cut out the broken piece of the pipe with the leak. Use a rotary pipe cutter to cut the pipe and deburr the ends.
Slide the slip coupling firmly onto one end of the cut pipe. Make sure it’s inserted all the way to the depth insertion mark.
Slide the other section of pipe into the opposite end of the push-to-connect slip coupling, again making sure it’s seated to the depth insertion mark.
Slowly turn the water back on and check for leaks.
Call a plumber to come replace the coupling when possible.
Several types of tape can be solid options for containing a small leak, including duct tape, Teflon tape, and electrical tape, depending on the type of pipe. The secret to using tape to temporarily fix a leak is to ensure there’s no water in the area while you are taping, as this will help you to create a good seal. You’ll also want to completely flatten the tape against the pipe so that no pockets of water can fill up inside your tape job. This will only work on minor damages like pinhole leaks and isn’t suitable for serious leaks or pipe bursts.
Shut off the water to the damaged section of piping.
Dry the section of pipe thoroughly. Wait a few minutes, and then dry again in case additional water leaks out.
Wrap the pipe tape around the pipe, pulling it taut around the entire diameter. Press the tape firmly against the pipe all the way around.
If the tape isn’t water-activated, wait a few minutes before turning the water back on. If it is, slowly turn the water back on right away and check for leaks.
Call a plumber to replace the damaged section as soon as possible.
Rubber pipe connectors, also known as flexible or rubber couplings, are used in situations where there's a small gap or misalignment causing the leak. These should only be used as a temporary solution, as the rubber will degrade over time.
Turn off the water supply.
Clean the area and dry off the pipe.
Measure the diameter of the pipe to match the right-sized connector. It should fit snugly around the pipe.
Trim the rubber pipe to the appropriate length, if needed.
Slide the rubber pope over one end, covering the leak.
Secure the stainless steel clamps or bands that come with the pope for a snug fit.
Turn on the water supply.
Here are some tips to help maintain your pipes and avoid pesky leaks:
Install a water softener if you have hard water in your area.
Make sure your water pressure is 80 PSI or lower.
Be careful what you put down the drain, and always avoid using drain cleaner.
Check your appliance hoses to make sure they’re in good shape.
Install flow sensors.
Install pipe insulation to prevent frozen pipes.
Get an annual plumbing inspection.
If you find that you repeatedly need to repair your home’s leaky pipes, it could be a sign that your pipes have started to deteriorate and need to be replaced rather than repaired. If you live in an older home, your pipes might be made of galvanized steel or lead, which are prone to corrosion (and could be hazardous for your health). Often, replacing aging pipes can be a smarter long-term solution, as having to repeatedly fix your pipes can be time-consuming and, over time, more costly. The average cost to replace pipes ranges from $370 to $2,108.
Depending on the severity of your pipe leak, you may be able to do a DIY fix in an emergency. Because emergency plumbers can cost more than calling one in during the day, it’s handy to know how to fix a hole in a water pipe in a pinch. However, these DIY fixes are usually only temporary, and they won’t last in the long term.
One thing to note is that frozen pipes always demand an emergency call to a plumber. When pipes freeze, the ice creates a blockage near the broken section of pipe that can unleash a large volume of water when it thaws. Never attempt a temporary repair on a frozen pipe—just shut the water off and pay the emergency charge for a local plumber.
Leaking pipe repairs cost $150 to $850, or an average of $500, but they’re worth every penny, as they provide peace of mind and help you avoid costly water damage in your home.
It’s important to remember that these fixes are temporary. For a permanent fix, you should call a licensed plumber. Consider asking any potential plumbers the following questions to find the right pro for the job. You may also want to take photos of the leak and send them to your pro so they can better assess the situation.
Are you licensed and insured to work on this project?
Can you provide references from past emergency situations?
What is your experience with this specific plumbing issue?
Is this going to be a temporary fix or a permanent repair?
What’s your process for handling unforeseen challenges?
Will you need to turn off my home’s water supply? For how long?
Are the materials you’ll use covered by a warranty?
Are there any safety issues I should be aware of during the repair process?
Do you offer guarantees on your workmanship?
Are there multiple solutions to this problem? If so, what are the pros and cons of each?
If you have a huge leak like a burst pipe, it’s an emergency, and you should call a plumber immediately. Burst pipe repair costs range between $150 and $5,000, depending on the location of the pipe and the severity of the leak.
On the other hand, more minor leaks can go undetected for a while, which can cause water damage to your cabinets, walls, flooring, or ceiling. So while you don’t need to call it an emergency, you should still worry about a small leak. Get a temporary pipe leak solution in place while you wait for a plumber.
You might be able to find your pipe leak by doing a visual inspection around your appliances and under your sink. Don’t forget to check your water heater too. If you find moisture or puddles of water, then you know you’re on the right track—you may need a repair or water heater replacement.
Knowing how to find a water leak can be tricky, but you can try the paper towel method. Lay paper towels on the floor and see where the moisture lands. You can also wrap toilet paper around pipes to locate a small leak.
A plumber costs $45 to $200 per hour, but note that they may charge a flat service fee or a minimum fee to come to your house. An apprentice charges $45 to $90 an hour, a journeyperson charges $60 to $110 an hour, while a master plumber costs $80 to $200 hourly.
If your plumbing job is complex, it’s probably best to hire a journeyperson or a master plumber.
Yes, you should always call a plumber to replace a pipe that you fixed with a temporary solution. Some temporary pipe leak solutions like pipe leak clamps can last for years and prevent further damage to your home, but eventually, they will fail, at which point you could be looking at more significant water damage and mold growth. Even if you suspect that your temporary solution will last a long time, always call a plumber for a permanent fix. Temporary solutions should be for minimizing damage and avoiding added charges for emergency plumbing services.
It’s generally recommended to schedule a plumbing inspection every two years or so. However, the right frequency depends on factors like the age of your system, your water’s hardness, and any previous plumbing issues you may have had. Older homes or homes with a history of plumbing problems may benefit more from annual inspections.
