Leaky pipe repair can be tricky business. Even the most avid DIY-ers may not know how to go about fixing a leaking pipe. Before you call the plumber, try a do-it-yourself solution.

It almost goes without saying that you have to locate the leak before you can attempt any leaky pipe repair. If you can’t find the leak, just call the plumber. You can only repair the leaks that you can see.

Any repairs that you make require a totally dry work surface. Shut off the main water valve for your house, and then open faucets along the length of the line to drain water out of the pipe and away from your work surface.

Once the water is drained, evaluate the type of pipe and the damage. You’ll take a different approach whether the pipe is copper, steel, or PVC; you’ll make a different repair depending on whether you have a pinhole in the pipe or its fully burst open.

With copper pipes, a repair is possible by cutting out the damaged section and replacing it with a sweat coupling. Although this does require some soldering work, it’s a reasonably permanent repair. For leaky pipe repair on steel pipes, a patch kit, which can be had at any hardware store, works pretty well, though only temporarily. For PVC pipes, you’re better off replacing the entire length. PVC is inexpensive to replace, but very difficult to repair.

Of course, you won’t always be able to fix every leak by yourself. Sometimes the leak is hidden behind a wall, buried underground, or otherwise inaccessible. Sometimes leaky pipe repair isn’t possible because it’s just a downright difficult leak to fix.  In situations like these, simply call a reputable and professional plumbing services organisation like ADI. ADI serves the greater London area, and specialises in professional yet cost-effective plumbing.

We are proud to serve the whole of the South East with our Plumbing Services, this blog post you have just read was created for you by our team of plumbers who are Plumbers in Buckinghamshire, the team service the whole of the Buckinghamshire serving as Plumbers in Buckingham, Plumbers Chesham and Plumbers High Wycombe.