Plumbing is a critical part of your house that lets fresh water in and takes waste water out. With water-efficient plumbing, you can save water and reduce the water bill. Without proper plumbing, doing even a simple morning chore like brushing your teeth would be impossible.
However, in order to enjoy these benefits, your plumbing needs to be in excellent working condition. One of the most common problems plaguing any household plumbing is leaking joints. Threaded fittings or joints are often used in plumbing to connect pipes.
However, when not sealed properly, they are prone to leaks. These leaks will not only waste a lot of water, it can also drive your water bill through the roof. Fortunately, there are a few ways to fix the leaks yourself.
Put together by a leading plumber in Boca Raton, these tips should help you fix joints and prevent leaks.
A. Before Sealing the Leaks
Before you start working on the leaky pipe joints, you have to take a few precautions. First, you should turn off the main water supply to your house. It will stop the leaks, making it easier for you to work.
Next, starting with the lowest faucet in your house, turn all the taps on one by one to empty the pipes completely. Alternatively, you can drain only the pipe having leaky joints. Once the water is drained, you can clean the leaky joint with a dry cloth.
Working on a wet pipe joint is risky as the leaking water makes it slippery. Keeping it dry will prevent you from any injuries or accidents. Once the joint has dried, you should gather all your plumbing tools before starting your work.
If it’s a substantial leak, call an experienced plumber to have a look at it first. If not, you can go ahead with one of the fixes mentioned in the next point.
B.Sealing the Leaks
Usually, you can seal a leaky plumbing joint by using one of the following methods. Remember though, you do require moderate plumbing or DIY skills to make these repairs.
1. Apply Epoxy Putty or Solution
One of the most common solutions for fixing plumbing joints is an epoxy putty or solution. You can use epoxy putty to seal the leaks on both joints and straight lengths of pipes.
As the epoxy putty and solution heat up, you should wear latex or nitrile gloves when using them. If you are using a solution (usually comes in a syringe), apply it as per the manufacturer’s directions.
If you are using putty, take out a small chunk and knead it with your fingers until it turns light gray in color. Now, apply the putty around the leaky joint carefully. Make sure it covers the leak from all sides.
You should also taper the edges of the putty to make sure it is completely watertight. Let it dry for at least 10-15 minutes before turning on the water supply. However, as any seasoned plumber in Boca Raton would tell you, epoxy putty is a temporary fix. You should call a professional if the problem persists.
2. Use Pipe Joint Compound
This fix will require a little bit of plumbing work. First, you will need to cut the pipes at least an inch away from the joint. Next, unscrew the fittings from the joint using adjustable wrenches or pliers.
Make sure to clean the male and female parts of the joint. You will need to remove the old pipe joint compound, corrosion, and debris. You should use a wire brush to clean the male part, while you have to use a wire bottlebrush to clean female part.
Once cleaned, apply fresh pipe joint compound to the threads of the male part. You can also use a plumber’s tape to wrap multiple layers of the compound around the threads. Screw back all the parts of the joint again.
Finally, you will need to use a two couplings to connect the joint with the pipe. After you have made all connections and the compound has dried, you can turn the water supply on to see if there are any leaks.
C. Things to Remember
When fixing leaky plumbing joints, keep the following things in mind:
- To loosen rusty, corroded, and hard-to-remove joints, you can use penetrating oil. However, it is often better to replace old fittings with new ones.
- If you have PVC pipes, don’t over-tighten the joints. It can break the pipes or develop cracks over time as PVC pipes are not as sturdy as their metal counterparts.
- Use all the necessary safety gear. Your safety matters above everything else.
- Always check if you can make the repairs. If not or when in doubt, call a trusted plumber.
Conclusion
With these simple solutions, you can enjoy leak-free plumbing joints. However, you must remember that these fixes are applicable only for joints that are in a relatively better condition. If your plumbing joints are very old or have serious corrosion, calling a professional plumber would be the best way to resolve the issue.
Contact the Best Plumber in Boca Raton, Florida Today!
As a leading plumber in Boca Raton, Florida, Erica's Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Restoration is the right place to get all plumbing solutions under one roof. Our experienced and skilled team has served locals for more than a decade. Call us on 561-260-5763 or schedule an appointment to get your plumbing issues fixed right away!
