Leaky pipes can cause hidden damage over time

Sun., Aug. 1, 2004

Samantha Mazzotta King Features Syndicate

Q: I was looking for the source of a moldy smell in the basement and found water dripping slowly from a joint in the cold-water delivery pipe. Aside from the mold (which I treated with a bleach-water spray solution), the surrounding wood doesn’t look badly damaged. However, even though I tightened the joint, it is still dripping. How can I repair this? — Clark L., Indianapolis

A: Wow, you’re lucky to have caught that leak before the damage became serious. However, as you know, the dripping water will continue to be a problem and could cause hidden damage in time. So, that leaky joint must be fixed — for now, a temporary fix. Later, a professional plumber should come in and replace the joint (or the entire pipe section if necessary). This should be done within six weeks of any temporary repair.

Turn off the water supply to the pipe and place a bucket under the joint to catch draining water. Then, attempt to seal the joint according to its type: If it is an old hub-and-spigot joint, look for a thin line of soft lead between the pipe joint, and carefully tamp down the lead (be careful with older, galvanized pipes, which may crack). If the joint uses a no-hub clamping system, try loosening the clamp, drying the area around it and retightening.

If tightening the joint doesn’t work or is not an option, the next-best method is to seal the joint with epoxy plumber’s putty, which sets fast and creates a watertight patch. Make sure the pipe surface is completely dry, then apply putty one layer at a time over and around the leaky area. Let each layer dry before applying the next one. This putty will seal the joint for several weeks until a professional can do a permanent repair.

What if a pipe is leaking along the run? This often happens with older galvanized pipes, which tend to rust from the inside out. Find the leaky spot, turn off the water supply to the area and dry the outside of the pipe. On small pipes (copper or PVC), wrap electrical tape over the leak and extend the wrap about 4 inches on either side. For larger pipes, wrap a rubber sleeve or sheet cork around the leaky area and hold it in place with a sleeve clamp (an auto hose clamp works very well, too).

HOME TIP

Leaky pipes should be patched temporarily to prevent water damage to the surrounding area, but they will need to be replaced within a few weeks by a professional plumber.

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