Pipe Wrench

Pipe Wrench

Do it Yourself: Change Leaking Pipes

Leaking water pipes can cause a multitude of headaches for the homeowner.

They are not only messy and inconvenient but can cause extensive property damage, especially when gone undetected. Water leaks can rot out wood floors and ceilings, and even result in electrical shorts which can prove potentially dangerous.

When gas or oil pipes leak it can create an even more perilous situation, as gas can build up in the home and release toxic fumes; potentially causing injury, death, or an explosion.

To deal with leaking problems one needs to understand the basics behind the leakage, followed by planning and fixing the source of the problem. Pipe leakage can be anywhere, after all in some cases nobody knows where the rupture actually occurred , so the first step towards pipe repair is tracing the source of the problem and then taking the steps needed to repair the leaking section.

The first step in discovering the source of the problem is knowing what all the dials on the water meter measure. Doing this ensures that all the taps in the house and garden are turned off and that all the equipments like toilets, bathrooms , basins, etc are not in operation. Then examine the meter for a few minutes and note any movement in the 'tell-tale' wheel. To determine the extent of a leak initiate reading, wait for about 15 minutes and then take another reading. Do not leave out any of the dials. Make sure you've read them all.

Now its time to break out the math. Subtract the start reading from the final reading. Be sure to write your answer in litres and not kilolitres. Multiply by six to determine the amount of litres of water lost per hour. If a leak is detected, fix it by following the subsequent steps. If not, then get help from an expert.

It may be the pipe is leaking from the spout when the water is turned off. The vast majority of the time, the problem is a damaged seat, stem, or washer. Turn on the handle to drain residual water that might still be in the pipes. Cover the drain with a cloth or paper towel so you don't lose any parts. Pop off the faucet caps with a small screwdriver if your faucets have them. Use a screwdriver to remove the screw in each handle.

Now pull off the handle; if it won't budge then take a pipe handle puller and place the side bars of the puller under the handle. Now turn the bar at the top of the puller so that the shaft is inserted into the handle. Tighten the bar and pull the handle. To remove the stem, place slip joint pliers around the packing nut and turn counterclockwise until it is loose. Lift out the stem and put it in a bag. Do the same with the other side.

Take the two stems to the hardware store. Having the stems with you will enable you to properly fit new stem washers and/or valve seats. To install new washers, use a screwdriver to remove the stem screw. Now pry out the old washer and put on a new one. Next, insert the stem screw and tighten. Do the same with the other stem.

When you replace a washer, you always need to replace the valve seat. You will need a seat wrench and Teflon tape. Using the appropriate size end of the seat wrench, insert it into the faucet body and turn counterclockwise. Now apply the Teflon tape counter clockwise onto the new valve seat. Then place the valve seat on the appropriate size end off the seat wrench and insert it into the body, turning clockwise to tighten the screws. Replace the caps. Make sure you always clean up the area where you have been working. Don't cross-thread any of the nuts or the valve seat when reassembling the pipe. Turn on the main water valve again and double-check your pipes to be sure they aren't leaking. If the faucet works correctly, pat yourself on the back and enjoy the double benefit you just earned; saving money from doing it yourself and gaining useful knowledge in the process.

About the Author

This article was written by Barry Hostetler. Barry had help dealing with basement water removal thanks to
Boston Water Extraction
services from FloodRight.com. For
Brookline Water Damage
services or anywhere in the Boston area, look for FloodRight.com. They're the best water damage experts in the Massachusetts.

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