LEAKY PIPES AND PIPE FITTINGS

Quick fixes until you can get professional help

If you have a leak in a plumbing pipe, chances are it’s at a fitting. Pipe fittings are simply the connection components of pipes. Over the years, slight swelling, shrinking, shifting and settling and even inadvertent bumping can cause fittings to loosen. And when that happens you’ll get pipe leaks.

Ultimately, any loose or leaky pipe fitting will need to be replaced. But as we all know, that’s not always immediately practical. So here are a couple of tips for temporarily repairing a fitting.

• Wrap a leaky fitting with fiberglass repair tape. Start at the outside of one side of the fitting and continue wrapping until you’ve gone one inch past the other side of the fitting, onto the pipe.
• Try plumber’s putty. Sometimes you can apply putty around a loose fitting to solidify the seal and rebuff any leak. It’s the same principle as tape only it will probably be easier to apply in tight spaces.

If your fittings and pipes are corroded, these techniques may only cause the problem to move further down the line. Your best bet is to have your system inspected by a qualified plumber.

Contact your local Rescue Rooter^® plumbing specialist today to schedule an appointment.