Water Pipe - Fixing a Leak

A water pipe leak is one of those issues that you’re likely to face at some point if you own a property.

But the good news is, that although annoying, it isn’t the end of the world, and a lot of leaks can be fixed quite simply and don’t require any professional help. Follow the steps below:

How To Detect A Water Leak

You need to be certain you actually have a water leak before you potentially go ripping your property apart to fix it.

There are a number of signs you can look out for to detect whether your home has a leak, such as making sure to look out for flooding, mould, bubbling walls or wallpaper and changes to your water flow and pressure.

You can also keep an eye on your water meter, taking reading periodically and ensuring your usage has not increased abnormally.

Common Water Leaks and How To Fix Them

Dripping Taps - To fix a dripping tap, it is important to first turn off the water, then open up the tap and inspect the washer.

The cause may be a build-up of debris that you can clean away, or the washer may be damaged and you will need to replace this. Only change the washer if you feel comfortable, if not, call a professional.

Leaky Radiators - Leaking radiators are incredibly common, but can cause a lot of damage to floors, ceilings and wiring. Leaking valves or valve spindles could be the cause of a leaking radiator, or the culprit could also be corrosion of the pipe coupling.

Often, draining the radiator system and refilling it can fix the majority of radiator leaks. Anything other than this, and it is recommended you call a plumber to fix it as it is likely to be deeper in the pipe system.

Water Pipe Joints - Leaks from plastic pipes and joints, such as those underneath the kitchen sink can usually be fixed without the need for a professional. Often, all it takes is drying the area and sealing the leak once you have found it. This involves removing and replacing the affected section of pipe, or a temporary fix can be made using rubber or silicone repair tape or repair epoxy.

Toilet Leaking - Leaking toilets are considered unsanitary, but it doesn’t always spell disaster. If the leaks come from the bottom of the toilet, and only really happen after flushing, it could be an issue with the rubber seal on the toilet base or the tee bolts that hold your toilet in place.

If this happens, you should stop using the toilet and disinfect around the leak as it will be wastewater from the toilet bowl that is contaminated. To fix the leak, you will want a wrench to unscrew and tighten bolts.

Bath or Shower Leaking - If your bath or shower is leaking, the first thing to check is the plughole seal – if this is broken it can cause overflowing or leaks. You could also check the supply pipes to make sure the leak is more internal.

These pipes may be hidden behind a wall, so you may need to remove panels of the bath or shower enclosure or even remove elements of the walls. This kind of leak can cause a lot of damage so it’s important to detect it and take steps to fix it sooner rather than later.

The final leaking issue around baths can be when the silicone seal around the tub degrades over time, which can allow moisture to seep through. This is a quick fix, so long as you seal the bath regularly to prevent this damage in advance.

For more information about water pipes, get in touch with our expert team, or shop here.