Ways of Repairing Leaking Copper Pipes

Copper pipes are used by many people as plumbing material when it comes to the water lines of the house. With the passage of time, leaks can start appearing on the pipes and the most common materials used are repair couplings or repair clamps for fixing pinhole leaks. Permanent solutions are offered by repair couplings whereas temporary solutions are offered by repair clamps. Provided below are the instructions to fix copper pipe leaks with the assistance of the 2 materials:

Repair Coupling

  • After turning off water supply, the water should be drained from the supply system. Then, the pipe cutter ought be positioned above leak and tightened onto plumbing pipe. After tightening the grip, a bucket has to be placed just below where the cutter is positioned.
  • The pipe has to be severed by rotating the cutter allowing the water to drain. A second cut should be made and the size should be as per the guidelines of the manufacturer.
  • Greases and impurities can be removed by rubbing the pipe with emery cloth and it should be made absolutely clean and shiny.
  • The pipe’s cleaned end requires the application of flux along with repair coupling. By sliding the coupling over two supply lines, joints should be sealed by plumbing torch by dabbing the solder against the joints. The excess amount of molten solder can be cleaned with wet rag.

Repair Clamp

  • Repair clamp screws should be loosened by using a screwdriver and turning it opposite to clockwise direction.
  • Once that is done, the person should open repair clamp and positions its interior or rubber pad onto plumbing pipe where the leak has happened. After that, it is important to ensure that clamp is properly closed with rubber pad entirely covering leak of the pipe.
  • It then required inserting screw within the clamp hole and by using screwdriver tightening the screw in clockwise direction so that it fits properly on plumbing pipe. Similarly, the screw on other side should be inserted properly and tightened but not too much. One should again concentrate on tightening the first screw fully and then return to tighten the second screw as much as possible. This is the way the screw has to be tightened instead of tightening it too much at first time as it helps the clamp to fit evenly on surface of copper pipe which stops the leak.

Author Bio: Tony Rolland is working with Anthony Gennaro Plumbing, a reputable plumbing company in Tampa. He is an author of many articles on home improvement, business administration and furniture installation.