How to fix a leak in a pipe: basic methods. How to cover up the joint of a sewer pipe How to glue a pipe with hot water

Modern household communications are increasingly equipped with plastic pipes: this is especially true of sewer and plumbing systems, most of them consisting of polypropylene or PVC products. Like any other plumbing, these systems need periodic repairs.

First steps to take if a leak is detected

If there is a leak on the heating or high pressure pipe, you must immediately shut off the system with shutoff valves. To solve the problem of how to close a hole in a plastic pipe, you can use a clamp. Such designs are characterized by a very simple use, which consists in putting on a damaged area and tightening the bolts.

An older method is to use rubber: this is how heating and water pipes. This involves wrapping a piece of rubber around the damaged area, for which you can use an old car tire.

For clamping, use a clamp, thin wire or a strong cord. It also applies to the usual Oil paint, which is smeared on a fabric pre-wound over the leak (read also: ""). All these methods have only a temporary effect, since the leak will definitely make itself felt later. The best option how to close a crack in a plastic pipe is to completely replace the problem area, especially since in the case of plastic pipes this is not difficult to do.

Use of sealant and epoxy glue for plastic pipe

A number of factors can contribute to the appearance of cracks or leaks in a plastic pipeline. These are mistakes made at the stage of system installation, and violation of operation. And the plastic parts themselves may be defective.

If the size of the resulting crack is small, then it is not necessary to change the entire pipe. You could try sealing it first. silicone sealant especially when it comes to non-penetrating damage. Most often, sewer systems are repaired in this way.

In this case, you need to act like this:

1. Clean up and expand the damage. This is done for deeper penetration of the sealant.
2. Carry out degreasing and drying of the repaired area.
3. Apply the desired layer of sealant and let it dry well.

However, it happens that the pipe receives through damage. How to seal the sewer plastic pipe in this case?

This is done using a two-component epoxy composition, in compliance with the following sequence of work:

1. The place where the damage appeared must be cleaned, degreased and dried.
2. To prepare the bandage, you will need fiberglass or another dense and flexible material.
3. The crack itself and the place around it are wrapped with a prepared bandage, with a good margin. Wrap the material around the pipe at least 5 times.
4. At the final stage, epoxy glue is applied.

In addition to sewer systems, water pipes and heated towel rails can be repaired in this way.

How to seal a hole with duct tape

With this modern material it is possible to qualitatively eliminate small leaks on the pipes located in the bathrooms. Outwardly, it is an adhesive fabric impregnated with special substances. Most often, joints and connecting elements are sealed with sealing tape. As for straight sections, they can also be repaired in this way.

When using sealing tape, it is important to follow the following sequence of work:

• The damaged area must be thoroughly cleaned and dried.
• After stretching a small piece of tape, it is wrapped around the pipe. It is important that this procedure is accompanied by constant tension in the tape, otherwise wrinkles will occur.
• When winding, each new round should be laid on half of the previous one. It is best to pack the pipe with two layers of sealing tape.

The main disadvantage of this method is the insufficient resistance of the repair material to sunbeams. To achieve a good service life, the wound tape is coated with additional protection.

Crack repair by cold welding

Currently, specialized stores offer special cold welding for sewer pipes. It is made specifically for the repair of plastic products used in the organization of water pipes, cooling systems, heating communications.

With the help of cold welding, damage of almost any degree of complexity can be repaired. In this case, thermal exposure is not required, since a chemical reaction is used to bring the constituent components into working condition.

The work itself to repair a damaged plastic pipe has the following sequence:

1. It all starts with surface preparation, for which the entire problem area is treated with an emery cloth. This is followed by degreasing the base with alcohol-containing liquids. If this procedure is neglected, the applied patch will serve many times less.
2. It is necessary to calculate exactly how much material is required for high-quality embedding. For this, a simple visual inspection is usually enough: the main thing here is that the repair mass can cover the entire problem area.
3. The substance must be taken in hands, on which protective rubber gloves are first put on, and begin to knead. This procedure is continued until the material is stained in a specific brown shade. Another sign of the readiness of the material is the mass reaching the state of plasticine.
4. The finished plastic material must be well repaired damage by pressing it with a tourniquet. Then a pause is made in the work, for about an hour: during this time, the repair mass solidifies. It must be made so strong and dense that any drilling, cutting and other influences on its surface are completely safe.

It is important to take into account the presence of components harmful to the human body in the composition of cold welding. For safety reasons, it is recommended to get protective gloves and goggles in advance. To speed up the process of hardening of the plastic mass, some experts recommend exposing it to warm air using a building or ordinary hair dryer.

Cold welding for sewer pipes is suitable for repairing damaged plumbing. For example, if a piece of material has broken off from a sink or toilet bowl, cold welding will help glue it back with high quality. When buying this universal remedy, you should check its expiration date, composition features and the availability of a quality certificate.

No one is immune from the situation when the question “how to fix a leak in a pipe?” will require an immediate response. Such situations can arise either due to deformation of pipes or due to their corrosion. And if only metal pipes are subject to corrosion, then mechanical damage threatens both metal and polypropylene, metal-plastic and polyethylene pipes.

So what to do in extreme situation? How to fix a leak in a pipe without waiting for a plumber to arrive?

How to start sealing a leak

First of all, you need to find a place of leakage. In cases where water is found under the sink, washbasin or bathtub drain, the cause must be looked for in a poor connection between the drain hole, the siphon and the pipe inlet.

Tightening all threaded connections where a sewer pipe leak is detected will help eliminate the leak. You can also resort to replacing the gaskets in these connections.

Elimination of leaks at pipe joints

Elimination of leaks at the joints of cast-iron pipes by caulking

If a pipe is flowing - what to do when it comes to cast-iron pipes? If they are poorly connected, then it will be more difficult to cope with the situation. It all depends on how their joints were sealed.

In cases where the pipes are caulked with lead, the following actions are performed:

• clean the joints until pure metal appears;
• caulk the gap with lead cones using a blunt chisel (lead easily seals the gap due to its softness).

If the pipes were sealed with cement, then proceed as follows:

• remove the remnants of old cement using a narrow chisel and hammer;
• removing the old stuffing, clean the gap;
• clog new tarred strands and close the gap using cement mortar (1 part water to 10 parts cement).

Sealing a leak at a pipe joint with cement

When a pipe is leaking - what to do if it turned out that you only have cement from everything you need to fix the leak?

There is another way to get out of this situation:

1. clean the joints of the pipes, remove the old seal (in order to avoid damage to the pipes, do not use heavy tools);
2. prepare the materials necessary for work (wide gauze bandage, some cement);
3. having dissolved the cement in water until a slurry is formed, a bandage is dipped into it;
4. evenly wrap the pipe joint with a bandage, pre-treated cement mortar;
5. after hardening (about 2 hours), the joint is cleaned with sandpaper and painted over with paint.

Methods for eliminating leaks in the pipe body

If it is required to eliminate the leak in the pipe directly, then the problem is solved differently. Depending on the circumstances, you can choose one of the methods below.

Installing a bandage in place of a leak

If the pipe is leaking, then the leak can be temporarily eliminated by installing a bandage. First of all, the cause of the leak is determined (fistula or leak) and the location of the emergency site is found. Then, a rubber bandage is applied to the place of damage to the pipe.

The procedure is performed in the following sequence:

• a rubber gasket is placed on the emergency section of the pipe;
• it is tightly pressed to the pipe and secured with a clamp.

Clamps are sold in stores, but if in a critical situation this necessary product was not at hand, then you can make it yourself.

In emergency situations, if the pipe is leaking and you need to eliminate the leak very quickly, the clamp can be replaced with a flexible wire, harness, rope, hose.

As a rubber bandage, you can take a piece of the bootleg rubber boot, a piece of rubber hose, a heavy rubber glove, a piece of garden hose, a bicycle tube, or whatever you have on hand. The width of the bandage is determined based on (1.5 diameter or more).

Stopping a leak with a wooden wedge

But what if the pipe is flowing, and the water pressure is strong, the tap cannot be turned off, the bandage cannot be installed, or does it not hold water? The situation, of course, is not enviable.

If the cause of the leak is a fistula, then in this case a small, conical-shaped wooden peg can help out. Its tip should match the size of the hole in the pipe.

Having inserted the sharp end of the peg into the hole, it is hammered into the pipe with a hammer and thus the leak is eliminated. This is, of course, a temporary measure. Having eliminated the leak temporarily, you can calmly think about where to call if the pipe is leaking?

sealing the leak hole

It is also possible to eliminate pipe leaks with an adhesive bandage.

In this case, they act like this:

1. shut off the water with a faucet;
2. dry the area in need of repair using a hair dryer;
3. select a dense flexible material of suitable size for sealing the hole (a piece of rubber, plastic, fiberglass, etc.);
4. glue the selected material to the emergency section of the pipe using epoxy glue.

If fiberglass is to be used, its length must be such that it is possible to wrap the pipe at least five times. The width of the bandage is determined based on the diameter of the pipe (at least 1.5 diameters). The adhesive should be applied to the bandage material using a spatula or brush.

After winding the bandage fabric on the pipe, until the glue is completely dry, it is pressed with ties or clamps. The glue must dry for at least a day (with room temperature) or up to three days (at a temperature of 15 degrees).

Fixing a leak in a plastic pipe

And how to fix a leak in a plastic pipe? In this case, it is best to use the adhesive method. To do this, select a piece of pipe of a suitable diameter and cut it along the length.

Then, about 1/3 of the pipe surface is cut off in full length and through the resulting cut, the workpiece is put on the damaged section of the pipe, having previously applied the required amount of glue to its surface cleaned with sandpaper. Pressing with a clamp, allow the junction to dry.

Screwing a bolt into a leak hole

To the question “what to do if the pipe is leaking due to the presence of a fistula in it?” the answer may be quite simple, since this method has been known for a long time. A small hole is drilled in the pipe at the site of the fistula and a bolt on oil paint is screwed into it.

Remember that this method is applicable only on pipes of large diameter, and besides, new ones. It is not worth using it for old pipes: the bolt will not hold water, and it will not work well to screw it in. All your attempts will only lead to an increase in the hole.

Replacement of a damaged pipe section

If the pipe is leaking, what to do in case of emergency with metal pipes?

1. First of all, shut off the water supply.
2. Then the problematic part of the pipe is cut off using a hacksaw for metal or a “grinder” (30 cm above the damage site).
3. The threaded connection of the pipe closest to the place of cutting is disconnected.
4. A thread is carefully cut onto the cut off fixed end of the pipe (the end of the pipe is held with a pipe wrench).
5. A coupling is screwed onto the formed thread.
6. Determine how long the pipe should be installed instead of the cut one, taking into account the threaded section.
7. Threads are cut on both sides of the selected new pipe section.
8. Connect the new selected section of the pipe to the water supply using a coupling, holding it with a second pipe wrench.

Before screwing in the coupling, the threaded connection of the nipple must be sealed with flax and sealing putty or a special “fum tape”.

Although the described method is intended for use in metal pipes, it can be applied to other types of pipes. And yet, if the question arises of how to fix a leak in a pipe, it is better to seek help from a master plumber.

During operation, the elements of the sewer system may fail. This causes trouble for the owners and the need to look for effective ways how to fix a sewer. Often faced with problems such as a leak in the pipe. An accompanying problem is an unpleasant smell in the house.

Considering that old cast iron sewer pipes are still installed in most multi-storey buildings, leaks can occur quite often, because their service life has long expired.

Sometimes leaks can occur even after. In this case, you should look for technological factors causing problems. If you do not pay attention to the problem in time, you can face unpleasant consequences. It is necessary to find the cause of the leak, only then decide on a quality seal or replacement.

Leak in a pipe

The main sign that a sewer pipe is flowing in an apartment is a persistent fetid odor. To solve this problem, you need to find the source of why the house smells bad. There can be several reasons, but the main ones are:

• expiration of the operational life of the sewer system;
• errors that were not noticed during execution installation work;
• lack of sealing of joints;
• defective materials;
• violations in the operation of sewerage.

If the pipes are old, damaged by corrosion, very small cracks can form on their surface, which are the main cause of smudges. Also, the elements of the sewer system can fail due to mechanical impact on them. In this case, one cannot do without dismantling part of the system or the entire sewerage system and carrying out a series of repair work. In other cases, the breakdown can be fixed by simpler methods.

Banal clogging of the pipe as a result of the formation of a fatty plug in it or the ingress of a large mechanical object can also cause leakage. If the pipes are cast iron and are leaking at the joints, the service life of the sealant may have run out, especially in cases where organic fiber has been used.

Note! For stamping pipes made of cast iron, it is recommended to use a graphite gland. It will provide maximum reliability and strength of the joints, protect pipes from leaks at the joints.

It looks like the lack of sealing of pipe joints

How to repair pipe damage

There are a number of methods to fix a leak. The most global is the replacement of the sewer system or its section. But this is not required in all cases. Or it may be that the owner does not have the financial means or time to perform such a voluminous and costly work.

If the cause of the leak is mechanical damage (crack), the corrective action will depend on what material the system elements are made of. A set of measures aimed at eliminating leaks in pipes is carried out depending on the place where the damage was found. Most often you need to do:

• processing of pipe joints;
• elimination of blockage;
• fistula repair;
• patching of cracks.

Before repairing a sewer pipe, prepare necessary materials and tools, as well as pre-treat the surface of the pipe.

Algorithm for sealing joints of cast-iron sewer pipes

Fistula closure

If a sewer pipe is leaking, there may be several repair options depending on the complexity of the situation and which pipe is damaged. If fistulas occur in the body of a sewer riser in a multi-storey building, problems should be repaired together with neighbors, otherwise after a while the problem will return again.

Before taking any repair measures, you should carefully inspect the pipes, assess the defects, prepare the surface, clean it and dry it, and you can begin to perform the main set of works.

• To eliminate the fistula small size, you can use the usual bandage, which should be wrapped around the sewer pipe. Pre-bandage or gauze processed epoxy resin. To increase the strength of the connection, you can wrap the pipe with wire.
• To repair a pipe on which a small hole has formed, special wooden blades are used.
• The most reliable way to eliminate the defect in the event of a fistula is to use a clamp.

Clamp - a special device for repairing sewer pipes. You can buy it on the market in the department of building or plumbing goods. This little detail costs about 5-8 dollars. If you do not want to spend money, you can try to make a clamp with your own hands.

First, apply epoxy to the problem area. After it dries a little, rewind with reinforced tape.

Crack repair

Often the owners meet with the fact that the hole in sewer pipe turns into a big crack. This happens as a result of mechanical damage, a sharp temperature drop. If the crack is not detected and repaired in time, you may encounter a more unpleasant situation - the pipe bursts.

Note! Cracks and damage to the exhaust part of the sewer riser are most often formed due to freezing and the formation of an ice plug inside the pipe.

If there is no unpleasant smell from the sewer pipe in the house, but a crack is clearly visible, it is most likely superficial. Humidity on the surface of the pipe is condensate. When the damage is continuous, it is urgent to take measures to repair the sewer system.

Surface cracks are eliminated using a conventional hermetic composition designed to seal joints. Repair is carried out in this way:

• the place of the crack should be thoroughly cleaned, all residues, dust and dirt removed, torn apart so that the hermetic composition can penetrate deeper;
• the surface of the damaged area should be treated with a degreasing compound, dried thoroughly;
• apply a sealant and leave it to dry for a while.

With through cracks, the situation is worse. They can lead to the fact that there will be a breakthrough of the sewer pipe. To repair the damaged area, you should purchase a special adhesive, known as "cold welding". The glue is prepared according to the instructions, applied to the previously cleaned, dried pipe surface. Due to the processing of the sewer pipe in this way, its functionality will resume, but the appearance will suffer.

Longitudinal cracks in metal pipes

If the pipe is clogged

A sewer pipe leak can occur due to a banal blockage. Fat deposits on the walls of pipes, silt, dirt adversely affect the condition of the sewerage elements.

If a blockage is localized in the pipe in your apartment, then the problem is small, you can solve it by removing the plug. This can be done with the help of a plunger, chemicals. If the blockage is very serious, you can resort to the help of a professional plumber.

A real disaster is a blockage in the basement for residents of apartments located on the first floor. In this case, we can only hope for a quick response from the emergency service representatives.

Trying to put a plug in the place where the leak has formed, you run the risk of further aggravating the situation, as the drains will return through the bath and toilet. The only adequate action in this difficult situation is to remove the cover from the revision of the sewer riser.

Having U-shaped sections of pipes, you can get as close as possible to the places of blockage and clean it mechanically.

The nuances of repairing PVC pipes

Plastic pipes today are very popular among consumers, due to their excellent performance properties, resistance to external factors. One of the main disadvantages of PVC pipes is their relatively low resistance to mechanical stress. Even the fall of a hammer can cause a breakthrough in the sewer system.

To repair a sewer pipe without dismantling, the first step is to localize the damage.

• Pipe body. If the pipe itself is damaged, you can simply replace it, but you can also repair it. To eliminate leakage, use a special fitting designed for installation in a pipe. Now the damaged area should be repaired with special glue, a patch should be installed on top. The result depends on the quality of the adhesive used.
• Pipe joint. In this case, you need to disconnect the two pipes, replace the rubber gasket, due to which leakage most often occurs.

If the situation is critical, you should not make an effort, just buy a new pipe and replace it. In some cases, this solution is not only the simplest, but also the most profitable, since plastic pipes do not differ high cost, and replacing them will not be difficult even for an owner inexperienced in repairing.

Disconnection of PVC pipes is quite easy. Change the rubber ring to a new one and assemble it back

Repair of cast iron pipes

Although the cast-iron pipes that were installed about 50 years ago in high-rise buildings throughout the Soviet Union are already old and worn out, they continue to be used in many apartments. Today, cast iron pipes are not so often used in the installation of a sewer system, because there are more practical and cheaper PVC pipes.

Cast iron loses its properties over time as it corrodes. Cracks may appear on its surface, you may encounter the fact that a sewer pipe has broken through. If it is not possible or urgently necessary to replace the elements of the sewer system, the pipe should be repaired.

1. First, you should find the place of the leak, mark it with chalk.
2. Then the inside of the sewer pipe must be freed from water.
3. Now let's start with sandpaper.
4. Treat the surface with a degreaser.
5. We repair the damaged area using “cold welding” glue, which we buy in a hardware store before.
6. Install from above rubber compressor, fix it with a special clamp.

Note! Cracks in the sewer pipe can be repaired with rubber and wire, a fabric impregnated with paint, a sealing compound. The latter option is used if the cast-iron pipes are leaking at the junction.

Perennial cast iron pipe requiring repair

What to do if a leak occurs at the joints

Very often, leaks occur at the junction of the pipe. Their appearance can be triggered by such factors: deterioration of the elements of the sewer system, errors during installation work. At the joints of cast-iron pipes, a problem may arise as a result of rubber loosening. Plastic pipes leak at the joints if there has been no water in the pipes for some time.

Damage to the joints and leakage of sewer pipes is easier to eliminate if they occur in the elements of the internal pipeline. When a sewer pipe flows at a joint, and it is buried in the ground, a lot of effort will have to be made to repair it.

Main types of work:

• seal replacement;
• application of sealant;
• replacement of fittings and cuffs.

During the repair work, it is advisable not to use the sewer. The joints must be dried with a special glue, clean them. If the junctions of cast iron pipes are leaking, cement mortar or silicone sealant can be used. If it leaks, sealing tape can be applied. After doing repair work leave the pipe for several hours so that the composition has time to dry.

Leaks at butt joints

If you need to repair the joints of the external pipeline, you will have to make a lot of effort to fix the problem. It is necessary to carry out earthmoving work, look for a leak, replace connecting elements, and treat joints with sealant.

How to get rid of bad smell

Unpleasant odors in your home can be caused by a variety of factors. One of the reasons is damage to sewer pipes. It is natural if the leak is accompanied by an unpleasant odor, but it may also be that there is a smell, but the leak is not detected. The cause that causes a fetid odor can be very small cracks that are not visible to the naked eye. Poor sealing of joints can also provoke the appearance of a smell in the house. To get rid of the problem, you need to do this:

Note! If the cast iron system is old, an unpleasant smell may come from places damaged by corrosion. In this case best solution sewer pipes will be replaced.

Leak Prevention

Eliminating leaks in the sewer system is a complex and responsible task. Leak problems need to be dealt with quickly and efficiently. It’s easier to deal with if the problem is caused by cracks. If the pipe burst in the apartment, then your house can turn into a small “venice”.

In order not to encounter unpleasant problems, you can prevent their occurrence. First of all, you should take care of ensuring a routine inspection of the state of the sewer system in the house.

Note! You should not wait until the crack in the sewer pipe becomes such that, as a result of a leak, it can flood your house and the apartment of your neighbors. The problem requires an immediate solution, otherwise you may face very unpleasant consequences.

Preventive inspection of the state of the sewer

When installing the sewer, you should follow the rules, avoid technological violations, use only quality materials and components that would serve for a long time and reliably. For the purpose of prevention, sewer pipes should be periodically cleaned. External sewerage should be insulated if the pipeline is laid above the freezing level of the soil.

If old cast-iron pipes are installed in the apartment, it is quite natural that the owner will regularly face the problem of leaks. The service life of cast iron is limited, so if you constantly have to close up cracks, joints, deal with blockages and an unpleasant smell in the apartment, it is better to spend money once and completely replace the sewer system.

Leaks in pipes, radiators and joints are quite rare. Usually the average owner of a private house or apartment is not ready for such emergency. The result is flooding of neighbors from below, damage to property, expensive repairs of 2-3 rooms. We will try to protect you from the listed troubles - we will analyze several ways to quickly stop a leak in a heating or plumbing system, then eliminate the defect completely.

The pipe is flowing - what to do at the first stage

In the event of a fistula on the central heating riser, from where water spurts, we offer the best plan of action:

Advice. If before the arrival of the plumbers it was not possible to tie the riser with a rag and stop the flow of coolant, throw an old blanket or thick coat over the pipe that absorbs water well.

In the current reality, masters often have to wait 2-3 days (reasons - holidays, weekends, accidents at other sites). It is impossible to leave residents without heat for a long time, so in case of a delay, make an impromptu clamp from improvised materials:

Note. On the water supply, the described procedure is performed under pressure, if it did not work out to cut off the riser from the main line. It is not necessary to wind many turns of wire, the main thing is to temporarily stop the flow.

Also use the above procedure when it is leaking heavily. cast iron battery central heating, a. Typically, radiators leak at the joints between sections, and a temporary clamp should be applied there.

When a leak forms from under the nut, the connection must be repackaged

If a trickle of water is observed on the spot threaded connection iron pipes, it is necessary to unscrew the fixing nut from the coupling with a gas wrench. Wrap the opened thread with a braid of fresh flax (clockwise) and tighten the nut again. The considered termination options will be shown by the plumber in the video:

In a private dwelling, the elimination of a leak is greatly simplified - it is enough to close the desired valve or quickly empty the area heating network. It is not necessary to wind the rubber, it is better to close the hole with a more reliable method. When the leak in the apartment is temporarily fixed, you can not wait for the locksmiths - choose the right time and close the hole completely using any of the methods below.

How to close a fistula - folk methods

There are several proven ways to fix a radiator or heating pipe leak with home remedies:

• the use of a magnet and a self-tapping screw;
• the imposition of a saline or epoxy "compress";
• adding mustard powder;
• making homemade heat-resistant sealant.

Please note: we do not mention the most common option - the bolted clamp. This remedy familiar even to housewives, but with the advent of plastic pipes not always applicable. The bottom line is simple: a strip of thin metal is cut along the circumference of the riser, holes are drilled at the ends. The fistula is sealed with a rubber gasket, tightened by the bandage bolts.

If the battery is connected correctly, it is easy to cut off the riser and repair it.

Also, you should not reinvent the wheel when a leaking heating battery is connected with a bypass, a ball valve and a balancing valve. Close the fittings, calmly remove the heater and eliminate the leak. If the radiator is connected directly, without shut-off valves, choose the appropriate method of repair on site.

Magnet and screw

Together with the coolant, metal particles travel through the communications, especially in steel pipe systems. If a small crack appears or a joint leaks, these particles can be used as a sealant. Without draining the water, a small magnet is applied to the pipeline, which attracts the metal to the defect point. Practice shows that after 1-2 days the leak is delayed.

When the connection is dug, a piece of magnet from the old speaker is applied to it.

The option with a screw is implemented simply: a self-tapping screw of the desired diameter is selected and screwed into the hole. The method helps in such cases:

• with point defects 1.5-5 mm in size;
• on pipes made of copper, polypropylene (PPR) and cross-linked polyethylene;
• on bimetallic and aluminum radiators.

Note. Damaged pipelines are prone to delamination, so a self-tapping plug will not help.

For fidelity, the screw being driven in can be coated with automotive silicone sealant or epoxy. If the hole in the pipe is quite large, instead of a self-tapping screw, drive a wooden peg into it, pointed under a cone. Cut the top of the plug flush with the surface and apply a regular clamp.

Salt "bandage"

The essence of the technique is to create conditions for artificial corrosion of the metal. Therefore, we recommend using this method on older steel pipe systems that are planned to be replaced in the near future. The size of the hole or crack is 1-2 mm.

How to close a leak:

1. Wet a medical bandage and make 1-2 turns around the pipeline at the leak point.
2. Sprinkling the bandage with table salt, continue winding. In total, 20-40 layers are required.
3. Wait 2-3 hours and start heating. At first, leakage of the coolant is possible, but after a day the leak will be completely delayed.

Clarification. Before winding steel pipe no need to clean up. If necessary, work is carried out under pressure, if the temperature allows.

For sealing polyethylene and polypropylene pipes salt is not good. Home masters advise on the Internet to impregnate the bandage with the following compositions:

• liquid glass;
• automotive high temperature sealant;
• epoxy adhesive.

We do not share the point of view of these craftsmen, since the listed substances do not have good adhesion to plastic. Here you will need special chemical compositions considered below.

Homemade sealants

The repeatedly tested sealant for heating pipes is dry mustard. Being mixed with a coolant, it perfectly tightens small leaks that occur in highways, pipeline fittings, batteries and even boilers. The application technology looks like this:

1. Buy 100-200 grams of mustard powder. The amount depends on the volume of water in the heating network.
2. In system open type pour mustard through expansion tank. Bring the boiler to a mode of 60-70 degrees.
3. When the powder must be mixed with water and pumped through the make-up tap.

A pack of mustard powder 200 grams is enough to tighten small leaks

Mustard fine fraction is highly hygroscopic (the ability to absorb moisture). Once in the water, the microparticles swell, acquire irregular shape and cling to internal irregularities, sealing up all leaks from the inside. Including - at the joints and in hard-to-reach places.

An important nuance. It is unacceptable to add mustard to the non-freezing coolant - ethylene glycol or propylene glycol.

Mustard powder is harmless to boilers and does not cause corrosion. To eliminate leaks in batteries or heat exchangers, the dose will have to be increased. Sealing takes from several hours to 2 days.

Sometimes, for external sealing of heating or plumbing lines, plumbers use a mixture of cement (alabaster) with PVA glue without adding water. The components are mixed until a thick substance is obtained and quickly applied to the damage using the same bandage. Before fixing a radiator or pipe leak with an impromptu sealant, wipe the surface dry, it is better to remove rust and paint.

Elimination of leakage mechanically

If you want to reliably repair the system and forget about the problem for a long time, you will have to spend money. Moreover, the list of funds used is significantly expanding (the price of the product is indicated in brackets):

In addition to these devices, "native" fittings - couplings are used to restore the tightness of plastic lines. The branch of the system is emptied, the pipe is cut at the point of leakage, then the ends are joined using a coupling.

An important point. If a breakthrough of the metal-plastic occurred inside the screed, a press connector (under the tongs) must be placed, the compression sleeve cannot be monolithic.

Metal brace (left) and plastic saddle clamp (right)

Another simple connector for steel is a reinforced hose of a suitable diameter. The latter is mounted instead of the cut out rotten section of the water pipe. Mounting method - long or wire clamps.

Now we will explain in turn the technology of using mechanical sealing means:

As you can see, only vulcanizing tape is suitable for all types of damage. The remaining clamps and bandages are mounted on straight sections of pipes; it will not work to close the battery, joint or outlet. But for this purpose, there are various chemicals.

Use of special sealants

Unlike mechanical means, the use of sealing compounds does not give a 100% guarantee that the leak will be eliminated. On the other hand, clamps and tape are unrealistic to use on a flat surface of a radiator when the vent is right on the front panel. There are 3 options left: try chemical agent weld the hole, or replace the battery.

Undoubtedly, sealant for pipes and radiators is the most convenient tool for the average user. Before throwing the heater into a landfill, you can try to glue it. What sealants are commonly used in such situations:

• a two-component plastic composition called "cold welding";
• liquid agents added to the coolant;
• adhesive heat-resistant plastic that hardens after ultraviolet radiation.

Reference. High-quality cold welding from Loctite costs about 27 USD. e., 1 liter of Aquastop liquid sealant - 72 c.u. e., Bondic light-curing plastic - 32 c.u. e. per set.

A two-component waterproof adhesive will definitely help if you strictly follow the technology - dry, clean and degrease the defective area before applying the patch. See the video below for cold welding tests on water pipes.

Liquid sealants are offered for different coolants (water, antifreeze) and types of heating systems. After adding the agent chemical compounds fill the fistula from the inside within 2 days. Of course, large defects and through holes cannot be repaired; you must first apply the mechanical method. For example, hammer a wooden chop into the hole.

Note. Aquastop liquid is mixed with a coolant in a ratio of 1: 100. That is, for sealing a closed system one-story house it will take no more than 0.5 liters of funds.

Gel-plastic Bondic is sold complete with an irradiator and is applied to the damage in small portions. Each subsequent drop is illuminated with ultraviolet light and instantly hardens. An indispensable condition is a dry, fat-free surface, the type of pipe material does not play a role.

Plastic becomes solid after exposure to ultraviolet light, before that the material remains liquid indefinitely

Instead of a conclusion - how to detect a leak

When the radiator network lines are laid open way It won't be too hard to spot a leak. Even slow seepage leaves traces - dark wet spots, streaks, dirty stains. Another question is to find a pipe leak embedded in the floor or wall. Due to constant heating, moisture evaporates and minor defect is simply invisible.

An important point. A sure sign of a leak is a drop in pressure in a closed heating system. If you notice a decrease in the readings of the pressure gauge, check the performance of the membrane, then look for a place of damage.

Ways to search for leaks inside the cement screed:

1. Sequential opening of heating circuits. Technology: with the pump and boiler running, close all the underfloor heating loops, except for one, and watch the pressure gauge. If the pressure begins to decrease, this circuit is leaking.
2. Dismantle flooring on a suspicious area (this operation is inevitable in any case). Turn off the boiler, leaving the pump running, if necessary, increase the pressure to 1.5 bar. The water at the leak site will stop evaporating, after a while a wet spot will appear.
3. A fast and technologically advanced method of detection is the addition of a colored liquid - a marker - to the coolant. The defect appears in the dark - the flowing water glows even through the tile.

Advice. To be sure, apply toilet paper to a dark spot on the surface of a concrete monolith. Able to absorb moisture well, it will confirm or refute your guesses.

Most convenient option- get a thermal imager, for example, rent it. The device will help to accurately identify the problem inside the screed and eliminate it with the least loss. For the difficulties and methods of detecting leaks inside walls and floors, see the video.

The consequence of long-term operation of pipes, mechanical damage or shear may be leakage. A leaking pipe leads to flooding of the living space, so it is necessary to fix the malfunction as soon as possible. Is it possible to fix a leaking pipe without resorting to the help of a plumber? What products are recommended for use at home? Read on.

A leak in a pipe can form:

• at the junction of pipes with fittings;
• in the body of the pipe.

How to fix a leaking fitting

The liquidation of the leakage of the connecting fitting is carried out according to the following scheme:

1. First of all, it is necessary to tighten the threaded connection. For this:
   • you will need a wrench and an adjustable wrench;
   • the pipe is fixed with an adjustable wrench;
   • a wrench tightens the fixing nut;

Tighten the thread very carefully and slowly. Overtightening may cause cracking of the fitting.

1. if tightening does not help, then with big share most likely the problem lies in the deterioration of the thread or sealing material. You can fix the problem by replacing the insulating material. For this:
   • the water supply must be turned off. The shutdown is carried out by a tap located in the apartment (if a leak has formed on a pipe that is part of the distribution of the living quarters) or by a tap of a common house riser (the tap is located in the basement);
   • the thread is unscrewed completely or up to half, depending on the complexity of the situation;
   • the old sealing layer is removed;
   • a new insulating material is wound up;

• the fitting is installed in its original place;

1. if the listed measures do not allow to close the leak in the pipe, then the fitting will need to be replaced. The replacement of the connecting element is carried out as follows:
   • the old fitting is removed. If the connection is threaded, then it is enough to unscrew the thread. If a non-removable fitting (weld or compression) is used, then it is necessary to cut off the connecting element;
   • a new element of the plumbing system is installed. The threaded fitting is screwed into the old place. To install a weld or compression fitting, you will need special equipment (welding machine or press device).

When replacing one-piece fittings, it should be noted that an increase in the total length of the pipeline will be required, which is done by inserting an additional pipe cut. It is better to entrust the replacement of welded and compression fittings to professionals.

How to fix a pipe body leak

How to close a leak in a pipe, provided there is a crack formed on the body? To troubleshoot the problem, you can use one of the following methods:

• install clamp;
• put on a bandage;
• apply cold welding.

Clamp installation

by the most in a simple way to eliminate leaks on the pipe body is to install a repair clamp. The special device consists of:

• metal case;
• rubber seal located inside the case;
• fixing bolts.

You can install the clamp with your own hands in the following way:

1. the place of leakage is cleaned of dust and rust;
2. the pipe is wrapped with a clamp;
3. the device is fixed.

Clamp selection should be based on the size of the crack. To completely eliminate the malfunction, the clamp must be 1.5 - 2 times the size of the leak.

bandage

How to fix a leaking pipe if there is no clamp? To eliminate the leak, you can use a rubber, adhesive or cement bandage.

The rubber band is:

• a piece of rubber. A cut from a bicycle tube or a medical tourniquet used to stop bleeding is optimal. It is necessary to wrap the cracked section of the pipe with a rubber cut;
• small tie-down straps, wire or other fixing straps for attaching the rubber to the pipe.

The adhesive bandage is installed according to the following scheme:

1. the section of the pipe on which the leak has formed is cleaned of dirt with a solvent;
2. fiberglass or medical bandage is impregnated with special glue;

1. complete drying of the applied composition is expected.

Instead of special glue, you can use epoxy resin or, when using metal pipes, ordinary table salt.

How to cover the current pipe with epoxy, see the video.

Cement bandage is an analogue of adhesive bandage. The bandage or fiberglass is impregnated with a cement mortar prepared in a ratio of 1:10.

Cold welding of pipes

A relatively new way to eliminate leaks is the use of a composition of the so-called cold welding. How to cover the pipe so that it does not flow? For various kinds pipes (metal, plastic, and so on) use different compositions of cold welding.

Detailed instructions for using the mixture are given on the bottle with the active substance. Here is a general algorithm:

1. before applying the mixture, the damaged section of the pipeline is cleaned of dirt. If the composition is to be applied to metal pipe, then the crack is additionally cleaned of paint and rust;

1. a special compound is applied to the damaged area. If liquid cold welding in the form of glue is used, then it is desirable to apply it with a brush. If a plasticine-like composition is used, then before applying it is necessary to knead it thoroughly until a homogeneous mixture is obtained;
2. the substance for cold welding is evenly distributed over the entire section of the cracked pipeline, capturing 3–4 cm more than the crack itself;

1. the composition is left to dry completely, which takes an average of 2.5 - 3 hours.

So that the area restored by cold welding does not stand out, the dried composition can be cleaned with sandpaper and painted.

All the methods given in the article to eliminate leakage on the pipe body, except for the use of cold welding, are only a temporary measure. To completely get rid of the problem, it is necessary to completely replace the damaged section of the pipeline. To perform this operation, it is desirable to involve qualified specialists.