Musty or unpleasant smells and water traces in the kitchen base unit or on the bathroom floor are typical warning signs that there has become leaky pipe. You have to get to the bottom of such a tip because apart from the unpleasant sewer smell, there is also a risk of damage to the kitchen cabinets and bathroom furniture or, in the worst case, mold.
Metal Pipes Made Of Lead, Iron, Or Copper
Take a close look at the damaged area and, above all, the extent of the damage. If little water escapes, the pipe is only damp in places, or only small water droplets are formed. In this case, plasticine made of two-component epoxy resin adhesive will help.
Cast Iron And Copper Drain Pipes
Metal pipes, partly made of cast iron, partly made of copper, are less often found directly in the kitchen and bathroom but rather in the sewage system’s further course.
Larger damage from which it continually drips or even trickles can hardly be adequately sealed with home remedies. You can then use the modeling clay as a makeshift seal, and you should place a container under the leak until it can be repaired.
Seal Metal Pipes
First of all, make sure that there is no water in the line and that none is running. It is best to block the associated tap with tape and attach a note to it. Then nobody will turn on the water if you temporarily leave the room during the repair.
Now wipe the leaked area thoroughly clean until it is free of water, dust, or other residues. Otherwise, the compound will not stick to the pipe. It is essential to wear a rubber glove when working with Epoxy.
PVC Pipe With A Leak
As long as plastic pipes – here made of PVC – have not been damaged by mechanical influences, leaks are usually found in the vicinity of joints and connections.
Cut a piece that is not too small from the plasticine strand and knead it thoroughly until the two components are completely mixed. The dough then shows a uniform, homogeneous color. Please also read the manufacturer’s instructions for this.
Shape the mass into a sausage-shaped strand and place it around the pipe at the damaged area like a bandage. Then carefully press the clay airtight – no gaps or holes should remain. The modeling clay must now harden according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This can easily take 24 hours – during this time, and no water must flow through the pipe.
After it has hardened, run water on a test basis and watch whether anything leaks out. If you are not sure, wrap a piece of kitchen paper around the repair area – you can then easily see traces of water on the paper. Usually, everything should be tight now until the final repair. If you find it difficult you can call an expert for inspections before repair