Ideas for repairing sanitary leaks

In an average household, a water leak can waste up to 180 gallons of water in a week. Since an average shower consumes about 20 gallons, this leak would waste the water equivalent of about nine showers in a week. In addition to wasting a valuable resource, water leaks also increase your electricity bill. You spend money on water that you should never use. So the question is how to fix a water leak.

Depending on the leak, you may be able to fix it yourself. Read on to learn how to deal with sanitary leak repair and when to call a professional.

Find the location of the leak

If you notice water on the floor, a leaky pipe is probably the culprit. Before you can fix the problem, you need to know where it comes from. Water usually does not flow far from the source of the leak. So take a look around. Do you see drops or a wet spot on the pipe? If you still can't see the source, there is a simple trick for detecting water leaks. Wipe the pipe connections with a dry cloth. When it gets wet again, you have found your leak.

Turn off the water supply

As recommended in most articles on plumbing tips, you need to turn off the water supply. First, look for a shut-off valve near the leak. If the leak is under the sink in the kitchen or bathroom, look for a shut-off valve there. If you can't find the exact shut-off valve, you can turn off your home's main water supply. It is usually located in your basement or utility room. If you have a big leak, turn off your main water supply as soon as possible.

Check the pipe connections

If you have a small leak under a sink, a loose pipe connection may be to blame. Threaded connections connect the pipe sections and can come loose over time. Check the connection with your hand. If it feels loose or drips water, carefully tighten the connection with a wrench. Just don't tighten the connection too tight. You can actually remove the screws and do more damage.

Tips for repairing sanitary leaks - leaks

Seal the pipe

If it is not a loose connection, it may be a tube that is pierced or torn. Once you've found the leak with the fabric trick from above, you can start repairs. For smaller leaks, you can rub a compound pin on the leak. You can also use epoxy putty. However, be sure to wear latex or nitrile gloves as epoxy will heat up during use. If it is a major leak, you may need to buy a pipe clamp from your local hardware store. Do you know that each of these solutions are temporary fixes. You should still consider hiring a plumber as a small problem can turn into a plumbing emergency.

Still dealing with a leak? Hire a specialist to repair sanitary leaks

If you've tried some of the above-mentioned DIY tips for repairing plumbing leaks and still have a leak, it may be time to hire a professional. Search online for a local plumber or get recommendations from friends and family. Sometimes sanitary leaks are more complicated than they seem. If you hire a plumber before your little leak becomes a serious problem, you can save money. If you liked this do-it-yourself article, you can find more great content on our lifestyle blog.

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