Check out our guide on how to fix a pipe leak! Learn all the top products for fixing any kind of pipe. From iron pipes to wrapping tape and everything in between, we’ve got the right solution for you!
Pipes are made out of various materials like metals, plastics and concrete. At some point, with enough usage, pipes and fasteners can crack and leak. If your pipe has sprung a leak, it’s important to know which sealants are compatible with the pipe material in question.
For most pipe repairs some form of epoxy is ideal. Here’s a rundown of epoxy sealants that are suitable for different kinds of pipes.
Loctite Repair Putty-All Purpose has a good reputation for sealing just about anything, especially plastic and PVC. All you do is mix the putty, apply and press! Epoxy molding putty will have most leaks stopped in under 5 minutes.
Concrete pipes are most commonly used for underground drainage systems. But if you have a small exposed culvert in the garden that’s cracked, you can easily repair the broken pieces with Loctite Epoxy Metal/Concrete.
For sealing metal pipes like rainwater downpipes, copper or galvanized iron and steel pipes, use Loctite Epoxy Weld Bonding Compound. This high-quality bonding compound is suitable for repairing, rebuilding and filling all metal surfaces. It can be sanded, drilled or painted, and is resistant to water and other chemicals.
If your cast iron stack is starting to corrode and crack, it’s important to fix it quickly. Here are the tools you need and how to fix an iron pipe.
- Loctite Epoxy Weld Bonding Compound
- mixing stick
- disposable surface for mixing
- gloves
- sander
Here’s how to fix a cracked iron stack pipe…
- Sand away any rust or paint from the cracked area.
- Clean and dry the surface.
- Squeeze out equal amounts of resin and hardener onto the disposable surface. Immediately close the tubes.
- Mix the resin and hardener with the mixing stick for 1 minute, until the color is uniform.
- Apply epoxy to the pipe, fill any gaps and smooth over the surface of the crack with the mixing stick. Leave to cure.
- Treat the surface of the pipe if rusty.
An easier, albeit temporary, alternative is silicone tape. Loctite Go2 Repair Wrap is an adhesive free, self-fusing silicone wrap that provides an instant watertight seal and is also easy to remove.
Before using sealing tape, you first need to ask yourself how bad is the leak, and where is it located? Sealing tapes aren’t designed to withstand the force of pressurized water lines, so make sure you’re working on non-pressurized pipes like shower heads and drainpipes.
Here’s how to seal a leaky pipe joint with repair wrap.
- Clean and dry the pipe surface.
- Peel 2-3 inches of tape from the roll.
- Press the tape firmly onto the pipe joint.
- Stretch the tape tightly and wrap it around the pipe several times, allowing 2/3 overlap.
- Cut the tape from the roll and press the end into the layers.
Pipe fasteners can loosen over time from general use. Contact with corrosive liquids like water can also leave pipe fasteners rusty and leaky.
One great way to prevent joint leaks before they start is by using a pipe thread sealant like Loctite Threadlocker Blue 242. This adhesive locks fasteners in place and provides an air and watertight seal that prevents corrosion, rust and leaks.
Here’s how to apply thread sealant…
- Clean the threads of the nuts and bolts, make sure they’re free from oil or dirt.
- Shake the bottle before use.
- Apply a 360-degree bead of product to the leading threads of the male fitting, leaving the first thread free.
- Apply a 360-degree bead of product to the female threads.
- Assemble parts and tighten.
- Allow cure time (sets in 10 minutes, full cure in 24 hours).