We’re going to be talking about fixing broken or damaged pipes today as we know this is something that our customers come across a lot and are naturally concerned about. We’ll show you what you can do to repair and fix them, and if not what you should do next.
Firstly, leakages.
If you have a leak, one of the most important things you need to do is to establish what kind of a leak it is. It could be caused by all kinds of things, one being a loose joint, which can be tightened no problem. If there’s quite a leakage there then you may have to remove the entire pipe and then replace it with another one. This should be a fairly straightforward job. Always call a plumber if in any doubt about what you’re doing.
Stop gap repairs.
You can also use patch kits which can be used on leaking pipes which you can purchase at any DIY store. You can also use epoxy paste, which you spread on the leak and wait until it sets, plus waterproof tape or duct tape. You want a strong resilient seal, but don’t go wrapping it in too much tape.
Frozen pipes/pipe issues.
Next, hat can you do about frozen pipes and avoid a burst pipe? A pipe can expand quite quickly once it’s full of frozen water. Rather than end up with a much more serious situation, here’s some tips on how you can rescue the situation.
Firstly, open the faucet, or the tap, so any steam which results from your thawing actions (which is the main goal: to thaw the pipes) and the steam can escape.
Secondly, thaw the pipe, and there are a number of different ways you can do this. Hot water is one method, and you can use a heavy towel wrapped around the pipes and pour hot water over it, you can hold a bucket underneath to catch any excess water.
You could also try using a propane torch which comes with a nozzled flame spreader. Be careful when using this and how you use it is important. Don’t use it on one area for too long and just keep the flame moving around.
Long methods, same results.
The final and third of our options for thawing your pipes is using a hair dryer or a heat lamp. They’re both much safer than the two we’ve mentioned above, but as you can imagine, they take much longer. Which method you decide to use is entirely up to you.
East of Scotland Drainage, for leaks, blockages and frozen pipes.
If you find that nothing works, and your pipes are blocked, leaking or won’t thaw no matter what you try, then get in touch with a professional such as East of Scotland Drainage. We’re always here to help and we have a professionally trained team to do a diagnostic check and to carry out relevant repairs. Give us a call today.