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Pipes can fail because of age and corrosion

Update:23-02-2019
Summary:

Open the faucet at the end of the pipe and close the va […]

Open the faucet at the end of the pipe and close the valve that runs into it. Check for holes, cracks or breaks along the pipe. Some pipe repairs are easy. For example, a pinhole can be repaired by simply wrapping the pipe with electrical or duct tape and a hairline crack can be fixed with a pipe clamp.When using a pipe clamp, first clean the cracked area with a medium- or high-grit sandpaper. Remove any burrs along the crack and then wipe it clean with a rag.

Center the clamp over the crack and then tighten the two sides together with the supplied screws until it is a tight fit. Turn water back on and watch for any leaks. You can use plumbers putty to patch a leaking pipe union.While some pipes can fail because of age and corrosion, pipes break or burst almost exclusively in winter due to water inside them freezing because of frigid temperatures. A burst pipe can be frustrating and messy, no matter the cause, but its possible to fix it yourself. 

Find out how the pipe was damaged and where it occurred. Turn off water to the pipe either at a valve or at the house main shutoff. Clean the area around the leak with a wire brush and then wipe it with a rag. Apply the putty around the leak as recommended by the manufacturer and let it cure for the appointed time. Then restore water back to the pipe and check for further leaks. For larger holes, breaks or cracks, try repairing them with a patch kit.

Start by sanding the area around the break in the pipe with high-grit sandpaper (at least an 80- or 100-grit). Put on rubber gloves and wet the patch, then wrap it around the pipe where it has burst. Start wrapping at the hole and work out from there; wrap at least 4 or 5 inches in both directions. Wrap it as tightly as possible and then press the patch down by hand to ensure a proper bond. Let the patch dry. For larger cracks that can't be repaired with a patch kit, you may need to replace that section of pipe. Consider calling in a professional plumber for this kind of repair. 

PE-RT/pe Pipe