Plumbing disasters rarely hit us when it’s convenient as they pop up late at night or over the weekend when regular plumber rates in Surrey do not apply. The good news is that many plumbing emergencies can be repaired temporarily as a stopgap measure until you can get a plumber in during regular business hours. This will save you from the possibility of incurring costly water damage and be friendlier on your wallet.
Big or small, a leaking pipe can quickly cause a significant amount of damage if left unattended. To stop water from getting into places where it shouldn’t be like behind walls or under floorboards, you will need to stop the water from flowing. One of the easiest ways to do this is to turn off the water supply to the affected area.
Toilets and sinks will usually have a small knob or value near where the waterline connection to shut off the water supply and turn the valve counterclockwise. Bathtubs are a little trickier, however. Sometimes, that shut-off valve can be in a panel near the tub while other times it can be behind the wall. If you can’t access the water valve inside, you may need to stop the water supply to the entire house by switching off the main water shut-off valve.
Once you have the leaking water under control, you can look for ways to temporarily repair the damage. Your local hardware store should carry what you need for a quick fix. If your home has iron pipes, look for a plumbing epoxy to seal the leak for PVC or copper pipes, try using plumber’s tape.
When leaks happen at a joint, repairs can be a little more complicated. You may be able to stop these types of leaks with epoxy or plumber tape. If that doesn’t work, there are products designed specifically for this type of scenario.
To address a leaky joint problem, you’ll need a rubber repair connector or a sleeve and a clamp. Cut the rubber repair material to the correct size and wrap it around the affected area. Rubber repair connectors usually come with clamps so if you use another type of rubber repair product, you’ll need to get your own clamps. Any large enough rubber patch and a hose clamp will work in a pinch.
Carefully wrap the rubber around the leak and secure it in place with the clamps. The pressure from the clamp should keep water from dripping, at least for long enough to get a professional plumber in to replace the broken pipe.
Split milk might not be something to cry about, but a cracked toilet bowl is another story. Toilet bowls, sinks, showers, and bathtubs are just as likely to break as any other household appliance. The problem is that they can hold copious amounts of water. If you are faced with a cracked porcelain bowl, it’s time to break out an old plumber favourite- plumber’s putty.
Plumber’s putty is a soft, malleable compound that can affix to just about any surface creating a water-tight seal. Remove as much as you need from the tub and use your hands to knead the compound into a ½ inch thick rope. Circle or cover the affected area with putty. For an extra tight seal, you can silicon caulking overtop the putty.
While by no means a permanent fix, these DIY tips should last you long enough to get a Surrey plumber in without having to fork over for emergency after-hour or weekend rates.
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