Got a leaky pipe? You probably know that the first thing you need to do is call a plumber and arrange to have it repaired, but what are you supposed to do in the meantime before your plumber arrives? Here are our top 3 tips for dealing with a leaky pipe while you’re waiting on repairs.
Turn the Water Off
In the case of severe leaks or burst pipes, turn the water off as soon as you can so as not to incur any more water damage than you already have. Before an emergency happens, make sure that you know where your main water shut off valve is and how to use it so that in the event of a major leak or burst pipe you can get to it and turn the water off quickly without fumbling around trying to figure out how to do it.
If the leak is at a faucet or toilet, they have their own shutoffs underneath which can be turned to the right (clockwise) to turn off. If the leak you are experiencing is from a toilet drain which is leaking into the ceiling below, use the toilet shutoff to turn the water off, then bail out as much water from the toilet bowl as possible to lessen the leak.
Wrap Your Pipe
If the leak in your pipe is more minor and turning the water off while you wait for plumbing service isn’t a practical option, you can wrap your pipe to temporarily stop the leak. Use a pipe bandage, readily available at hardware stores, or if you don’t have that on hand, a little duct tape is an effective temporary solution as well. And, as a last resort if you’re desperate, a loaf of bread wrapped around the leak will buy you a little bit of time!
Don’t forget the most important step, though, and that’s calling a plumber immediately! Book service and get your repairs done ASAP by calling John Sadler Plumbing & Heating at (604) 531-4355
