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Fixing Leaky Pipes with Epoxy
Few things are as annoying as a sudden leak in a pipe. Although most leaky pipes will eventually need to be fixed by a professional plumber, epoxy can be extremely helpful if you’re looking for a stop-gap. By temporarily plugging a leak with epoxy, you can prevent severe damage and even resume using the pipe while you wait for professional help to arrive.
What do you need to know about fixing leaky pipes with epoxy?
What Is Plumber’s Epoxy Putty?
Epoxy — an umbrella term for thermosetting resins — exists in all sorts and shapes, each designed for a different use. The kind of epoxy you would use to temporarily fix a leaky pipe is called plumber’s epoxy putty. This soft, pliable, epoxy consists of two components that need to be mixed together, after which you can apply it to the source of a small leak.
Plumber’s epoxy putty sets extremely quickly, within a matter of minutes, and completely cures in around an hour; much faster than most kinds of epoxy.
How Do You Use Plumber’s Epoxy Putty to Fix a Leaky Pipe?
Plumber’s epoxy putty can be used to temporarily plug small leaks in most metal pipes, including copper and galvanized steel. It is not suitable for plastic pipes.
The steps you would take to fix a leaky pipe with plumber’s epoxy are:
- Turn off the water first, to give you a working surface free from interference. After the water is off, dry the pipe completely to give the putty the chance to adhere to the surface.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for mixing the epoxy.
- Next, use a propane torch to warm the pipe, which will help set the epoxy. It will need to be warm to the touch.
- Use the epoxy putty to seal the leak, by pressing it into the area firmly.
- You can now make the temporary fix even more secure by also applying a few layers of duct tape along the pipe.
Give the plumber’s epoxy putty the appropriate amount of time to cure completely, and then turn the water back on. Test if the leak is plugged. If it is, you should feel free to continue using the pipe until a more permanent solution can be found.
It’s called “plumber’s” epoxy putty for a reason — plumbers often rely on this putty if they need a short-term fix. Do keep in mind that applying plumber’s epoxy will not restore your pipe to its former glory. Keep an eye on it and strongly consider having the pipe replaced entirely as soon as possible.