Plumber’s epoxy putty may stem a leak at a fitting, at least partially or temporarily. Fiberglass tape with polyurethane resin can produce a durable patch; it’s sometimes used in conjunction with epoxy putty. A clamp and sleeve is quick and cheap. A full slip repair coupling is the closest to a permanent fix, but it requires straight and unblemished pipes of the right diameter and material. All of these products require that you carefully follow manufacturer’s directions, or they simply will not work.
WARNING: A damaged pipe section with a patch should be replaced as soon as possible. Because of the natural movement of pipes, patches may leak again in time.
If a water supply pipe bursts, your first stop should be a shutoff. If there is a shutoff near the burst pipe, go ahead and turn off the water there or shut off the water to the whole house. Open faucets on every floor of the house to drain the supply system if your repair product requires dry pipe.
Terms you need to know
Outside diameter-clamps and slip couplings require that you know the outside diameter of the pipe. Close an adjustable wrench on the pipe then measure the distance between the jaws.
Pipe material-Certain repair products work on certain pipe types. Make sure you know yours before heading out to the home center.
How to applly a sleeve and clamp repair kit
1. Make temporary repairs to a burst copper supply pipe with a sleeve clamp repair kit, available at most hardware stores. With the water supply shut off at the main, smooth out any rough edges around the damage with a metal file.
2. Center rubber sleeve of repair clamp over the rupture. If the sleeve enfolds the pipe, the seam should be opposite the rupture.
3. Place the two metal repair clamps around the sleeve.
4. Tighten the screws with a Phillips screwdriver. Open water supply and watch for leaks. If it does leak, start from the beginning with the sleeve in a slightly different place. Have the section of ruptured pipe replaced as soon as possible.
