Temporary Fix for Leaking Water Pipes

When you find a leaking copper water pipe and can’t get a plumber for a couple of days, the following is a temporary fix that will get you back in service.

The first thing you need to do is turn off the water supply to the leaking pipe. The shut off may be at the fixture. If there is no shut off valve at the fixture you may need to shut off the main water supply.

Next, determine where the pipe is leaking. If the leak is a pinhole or small split in the copper pipe itself, the following should provide a quick temporary solution and allow the fixture to be used until a permanent fix can be completed.

Take a piece of rubber from an old inner tube or anything similar and wrap it around the pipe over the hole. Now use a C clamp and two small blocks of wood to clamp the rubber wrap tightly in place over the hole.

Another option is to wrap the rubber around the pipe over the hole and clamp the rubber in place with hose clamps.

The third option is to cut a piece from an old garden hose. Cut the hose about three inches longer than the hole or split. Split the hose length wise and place it over the pipe covering the hole. Clamp in place with hose clamps.

Now you are ready to turn the water supply back on and use the fixture until a permanent fix can be made.