Handle Minor Emergency Plumbing Leaks with Ease
Handle Minor Emergency Plumbing Leaks with Ease
Water problems top the list of many homeowners’ woes, especially water leaks. Data from the Environmental Protection Agency suggest that repairing a faucet dripping at 1 ½ ounces a minute can save almost 9,000 gallons of water a year.
Repairing a small leak immediately and identifying its source are the keys to preventing water waste and water damage, and a few simple tips can help keep a leak under control.
The FloLogic System, developed by FloLogic, Inc., is one way to help identify leaks early. The FloLogic System works by monitoring the water supply in the home, and when the flow through the system exceeds a limit that is set when the system is installed, the system shuts off and alerts the homeowner via an alarm system. This early warning means that homeowners can take some do-it-yourself action as soon as possible and control problems from leaks until a professional arrives.
When a plumbing emergency strikes, don’t panic. Follow these steps to help contain your plumbing problem.
* Find the source of the leak. Sometimes the source is obvious; in other cases, it is necessary to trace the water flow to find the problem.
* Selective shut-off. A system such as FloLogic will automatically shut off the water in the event of a leak and turning off valves for the specific fixture may be enough.
* Drain and dry. Drain out any excess water and dry the pipe once it is empty.
Then, try these quick fixes:
* Go for glue. If a leak is located at a joint between two pipes, pressing flexible epoxy into the hole might do the trick until a plumber can assess the problem. Work the epoxy in your hands, press it into the hole, and allow it to set.
* Pencil tip. If the hole is small, stick a sharpened pencil into the hole, break off the tip so the tip plugs the hole, and wrap the hole with duct tape or electrical tape. A great solution is to use a flat rubber pad or vinyl bumper and a pipe clamp. Of course, there are many types of clamps you can use for this type of project. The best ones would be stainless steel gear drive band style clamps. They provide uniform pressure and would work very well in this application. These clamps are made by several companies such as: Ideal, Qualihome, Glide Store, Lasso, iPower, Terra Bloom, Builder;s Best, Lokman, Breeze, Hiltichi, and Tech Team https://techteamproducts.com/. We have found their 4” clamp number 703 https://www.amazon.com/Band-Style-Key-Style-Stainless-Collection-Clothes/dp/B079RSJCJN/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1546285381&sr=8-7&keywords=dryer+vent+clamp and their 3” clamp number 727 https://www.amazon.com/Tech-Team-Band-Style-Key-Style-Collection/dp/B07GZZ1KHV/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1550509162&sr=8-1&keywords=tech+team+clamp have exceptionally good quality, are easy to work with, and are made from #304 stainless steel
* Screw and washer. For larger holes, try placing a washer around the hole, then drive the screw through the hole.
Visit www.flologic.com for more details about the FloLogic water monitoring system and more information about water management in the home.
