If you’ve found a leaking pipe that’s dripping or spraying water, Whipple Plumbing should be your first call. Our emergency plumbing services include 24/7 responses that are prompt and bring you the expertise you need to correct these immediate issues.

Even in the short time while you wait for our plumbers to arrive, however, there are things you can do to help stem the damage as early as possible. Here are some basic steps to take if you find a plumbing leak.

Stop Water Flow

Before you do anything else, turn off the water supply valve for the pipe that needs to be shut off. If you aren’t sure about which valve is the right one, simply shut off the main valve until our plumbers arrive – this means you should always know where the main valve is in your home.

Once water has been turned off, turn on the closest faucet to the leak. This will drain the remaining water from the leaky pipe and prevent further spillage.

Clear the Area

Once water supply is off and the leak is halted, clean the immediate area. Wipe the leaky pipe itself, and clean off any surrounding fixtures. Mop floors and remove and surrounding items that might be at risk of water damage.

Prepare the Pipe

Using a file or a piece of rough sandpaper, smooth out the leaky area to ensure there’s no rust, limescale or rough edges on it. This will help when you’re trying for a temporary patch, especially in case you have to turn the water back on before your plumber arrives.

Apply Epoxy

The simplest way to temporarily patch a minor leak for a homeowner is plumber’s epoxy, which you can find at any hardware store. Rip off a properly-sized piece of epoxy, and work it with your hands until it’s mixed and ready to be applied. Shape it so it covers the entire hole in the pipe, and press it down onto the area. Once applied, smooth out the edges and let it settle for the amount of time specified in the instructions.

To learn more about what you can do while waiting for our plumbers in a case of emergency, or for any of our other plumbing services, contact the experts at Whipple Plumbing today.