Plumbing problems are stressful and never come at a convenient time. Cracked pipes are a common issue. Cracks can be caused by plumbing age, tree roots, extreme weather, pressure build up from blockages or unintentional damage from landscaping or remodeling. Whatever the cause, cracked pipes should be repaired quickly to minimize the risk of water damage. While permanent fixes must happen to keep cracks from spreading, there are many circumstances where securing the immediate services of a licensed plumber is not possible or practical. In these cases, it is important to know some basic temporary fixes while you wait for cracked pipes repair in Riverdale.
The first step in any temporary cracked pipe repair is to turn the water off. If the crack is isolated, like under a sink, shut the water off there. If that is not possible, it may be necessary to turn off the water from the main valve.
The easiest repair you can make is with plumbing tape. This quick fix for small cracks may hold for a few days. Simply wrap the tape firmly around the cracked section of pipe. Since plumbing tape is inexpensive and stores well, it’s best to have some available at all times. If the crack is too large for tape, an emergency wrap or patch may work.
If the cracked pipe is exposed and easily reached, the best temporary solution is to tightly clamp a piece of rubber over the cracked section. C-clamps are easily purchased at hardware or plumbing supply stores and give a good seal when coupled with a piece of scrap rubber. Repair sleeves may also be used. This temporary repair is achieved by encasing the cracked section of pipe with the sleeve and tightening with a screwdriver.
While none of these temporary repairs is a long-term solution, they can buy you much needed time while waiting for professional cracked pipes repair in Riverdale.
