A burst pipe perfectly fits the definition of a household emergency.

Not only does it leave the place soaked, but it can also end up with a huge water bill. Besides the bill, the situation will leave you perplexed if you don’t know how to control it until a plumber in Hoppers Crossing arrives.

What should be your first step? How can we stop water from flooding the place?

Many more questions like these run through your mind at that moment. We will answer all that and more in this blog post so read until the very end.

Your First Step

As soon as you realise the burst pipe situation at hand, you should first hurry to shut off the main water supply. If the water is already over the place, turn off the power supply and unplug electrical items. They are potential hazards, so be careful while handling them.

Now make a call to a 24/7 plumberinHoppersCrossing and book the appointment. It will most likely take some time until the expert arrives at the location. Therefore, go ahead and try one of the following quick fixes.

Quick Remedies

These quick fixes are lifesavers in case you can’t find a Hoppers Crossing plumber right away or if it takes too long. However, you should remember to get approval from a professional even after these fixes. Just to be on the safe side!

1.    Taping the Pinholes

A pipe bursts in different ways. Sometimes it is an imperceptible crack, while other times, it may explode. In the same way, at times, it could be pinhole leaks.

Pinhole leaks occur when the water in a pipe freezes over and expands. Even copper pipes tend to develop pinhole leaks as they age and corrode.

A quick solution to this problem is sealing the pinholes tightly with electrical or duct tape. However, it is only a temporary fix until the plumber arrives and fixes it for good.

2.    Fibreglass Tape

The next quick fix to a burst pipe is using fibreglass tape. The tape is suffused with fibreglass resin which gets activated when wet curing into a permanent seal. It holds the water pressure better than the first fix.

It is the easiest fix you can do, even without any experience with plumbing. Since it becomes a permanent seal, it is only a formality to have one final check by a plumber.

Make sure you read the instructions on the product and wear protective gloves before working with this material.

3.    Sealing with Epoxy Putty

This is one quick yet permanent solution to fix a burst pipe. Once you stop the water splash by turning off the main water valve, sand the pipe surface and dry the area.

Knead epoxy putty and cover the damaged surface. Apply the putty into and around the break. Leave it to dry for an hour or two before turning the water supply back on.

It’s one of the easiest ways to repair a burst pipe, even without the assistance of a plumber. However, to be on the safe side, get one final okay from a plumbing expert in Hoppers Crossing.

4.    Repair Sleeves

The next way you can fix a burst pipe is by using repair sleeves. A repair sleeve is something similar to clamps. It offers support to the pipe for some time, but this is in no way a permanent fix. Thus, you should call a 24/7 plumbing expert as soon as possible.

More importantly, these sleeves cannot hold big bursts of water. They are apt for small leaks such as pinhole leaks.

5.    Rubber Pipe Connectors

The first four fixes can be done by anyone with little to no plumbing experience. However, fixing rubber pipe connectors requires considerable experience as it involves a bit of cutting.

If the leak is at a joint, fixing a rubber pipe connector can block the water spillage. 

These are some quick fixes you can try to immediately bring the situation under control. Apart from these, you can stock up on different types of tapes that can hold water leakages for a limited time.

Here’s the list to keep in your plumbing kit:

• Teflon tape
• Duct tape
• Electrical tape

After fixing the pipes with one of these several methods, turn on the main water valve and check if the fix holds up the water pressure.

Conclusion

Pipe bursts happen for primarily three reasons:

• A drop in temperatures (e.g., Frozen pipes)
• Pipe corrosion and congestion
• Shifting of pipes (caused by the increase in water pressure or temperature changes)

No matter how minor a leak or crack in a pipe is, you have to fix it immediately. Otherwise, it will not be long until it floods the house.

Thus instead of wasting time waiting for the plumber, try one of the listed fixes to quickly control the situation. The plumber can fix it permanently when he arrives.

For situations like these, it is important to keep spare contacts of plumbers. Even if your regular assistance is out of reach, you don’t have to struggle alone. You can also check out Your Local Plumbing—Hoppers Crossing expert plumber—as another resource for emergencies.

It is better to be prepared than to be surprised in these situations!

We hope you store the essential items in your home and remember these fixes when in need. Don’t hesitate to leave a comment if you have more follow-up questions.