DIY water pipe repair

In detail: do-it-yourself water pipe repair from a real master for the site my.housecope.com.

Repair of plastic pipes may often be required if consumables of insufficient quality were used when installing the pipeline, or if the installation of the network was unprofessional.

In any case, it will take some effort to restore the pipeline to work. We will show you with our advice and recommendations how to avoid the same mistakes.

Damaged plastic pipe

Repair must begin with an external examination and diagnosis of the damaged area. The quality, speed and cost of future repairs will directly depend on the type of defect.

There are several main types of damage to plastic pipes:

Full or partial pipe rupture.
Local damage.
Crumpled plastic pipe.
Occurrence of leaks in various pipeline reins.

Consider the features and methods of eliminating each of these types of damage.

Although plastic is mostly superior in technical and operational characteristics to cast iron and steel pipes, in terms of strength to external impacts, it is still far from the most resistant material.

Like leaks in pipeline nodes, this type of damage occurs most often, while it has the following features:

The occurrence of ruptures is usually associated with careless work carried out near the location of the pipeline route.
For example, the outer pipe can be accidentally caught by an excavator while digging a trench nearby, a domestic-type plastic pipe can be damaged by a heavy object falling on it, etc.
The predisposition of pipes to accidents of this type is explained by the lack of measures that would provide for the protection of pipes from external influences.

Video (click to play).

Repair of plastic pipes in this case includes the following:

The emergency section must be replaced with a section of a whole pipe, the working pressure of which is comparable to the working pressure in the pipeline.
When repairing the pipeline, the section is arranged by means of two electrically welded couplings.
Mechanical fastening couplings can also be used. They are usually used in highly complex installations such as underwater installations.

Plastic pipe repair technology

The use of electro-welded type couplings, as a rule, is cheaper, while the quality and reliability of such a connection is almost always higher.

Local damage is understood as a defective hole in the pipe, the diameter of which does not exceed 50 mm.

Eliminate local damage in the following way:

Prepare the pipe and the place of damage for repair - dehydrate the pipe and clean it.
An electrowelded plug (reinforcing plate) of the appropriate size is prepared, which will be cheaper in comparison with replacing a section of a plastic pipeline or using two electrowelded couplings.
The lining is welded over the damage.

When a plastic pipe collapses, often no special measures are required to eliminate it. Deformation of a pipe is not always an indication of a violation of the integrity of the pipeline.

This is often caused by local mechanical factors, eliminating which and returning the pipe to operation, the plastic pipe will eventually level out under the influence of internal pressure and its own rigidity.

If the collapse is not eliminated on its own and at the same time interferes with the normal flow of the working fluid, the collapsed section of the pipeline will need to be replaced.

Remember that the presence of scratches or cracks on the pipe surface, the depth of which is more than 10% of the total wall thickness, indicates the need to replace the section of the plastic pipe.

Plastic pipes: repair by applying electrofusion to the damaged area

Causes of leaks:

Most often, at the joints of pipes and pipeline nodes made of plastic, it occurs not due to damage to pipes and nodes, but due to violations of the technology for making welded joints.
Typically, a leak is the result of an unsuccessful repair and appears almost immediately during testing (trial commissioning of the pipeline).
The reason for this may be, for example, the water supply not completely shut off in the pipe during the welding of electrofusion couplings.
A leak at the junction of the plastic pipe connection indicates that gross mistakes were made during the butt welding process.
In addition, leaks can occur if inappropriate materials were used during the construction of the pipeline, both in quality and in technical characteristics.
For example, when inspecting an outdoor pipeline requiring repair, one or more compression fittings may be found buried in the ground, while plastic pipe fittings of this type are designed exclusively for outdoor use.

The method of eliminating a leak in a pipe is to repeat the repair, only in accordance with all the rules and technology.

Joining elements of a household plastic pipeline by a welded method

A clean and dry pipe is the key to successful welding (soldering) of plastic pipes. Only with mechanical methods of connecting pipes, water can not be an obstacle. If it penetrates into the welding zone during heating, then steam is formed, which creates excessive pressure, which, in turn, can lead to a violation of the fusion of the plastic, which will make the connection of insufficient quality and unsuitable for use.

If it is not possible to completely shut off the water flow, simply loosen the bolts at the flange connection of the pipe with the valve. In this case, water will flow into the well, and not into the pipe cavity.

To make the need to repair plastic pipes as rare as possible, it is necessary to initially correctly perform pipe connections and pipe laying. In addition, the materials used must fully comply with the operating conditions of the line.

Breakdown of the pipeline occurs due to mechanical wear. It is affected by erosive, thermal, and corrosive loads, so from time to time it becomes necessary to repair it.

Metal pipes are most susceptible to corrosion

The rules and methods for carrying out repair work differ depending on the type of network, the material for the manufacture of pipes.

Partial pipe repair is the best moment for their complete replacement. Among the main breakdowns of the water supply system, there are:

interruptions in the water supply (can be short or long);
complete loss of water in the network;
low pressure in the pipeline;
extraneous, uncharacteristic noises in the system;
the formation of condensate on the pipeline;
mechanical blockage of pipes;
failure of network elements.

Depressurization is a common problem that leads to the disappearance of water from the taps. As a result, residents of multi-storey buildings do not receive it at all.

Read also: DIY Niva cardan repair

A pressure gauge is used to measure the pressure. At low rates, first of all, the valves should be opened at different sections of the pipeline network: in the wells and at the entrance to the system.

Equipment failure means the failure of fittings, a water metering unit, as well as a superstructure.

If you suspect a breakdown of the fittings, it is worth checking all of its types: safety, shut-off, water-folding and regulating.

A pressure gauge is also used to verify that the sediment has broken. It is installed at the site of the water supply entrance to the building and after deposition. If the difference in performance is obvious, the pump is broken.

There are several types of pipes that are used to repair a water supply network (i.e. to replace damaged areas):

polypropylene;
metal-plastic;
polyethylene;
metal (cast iron).

Polypropylene products have the following advantages:

tightness and reliability of the connection;
maintaining performance throughout the entire service life;
resistance to corrosion, formation of deposits and the influence of chemical compounds;
simple installation, affordability of mounting elements.

A new pipe leak is a signal for urgent repair.

Metal-plastic products represent a three-layer "pie" - between two plastic plates there is a metal layer. They suitable for local repair in small areas.

They are distinguished by the following advantages:

affordability of pipes;
easy installation;
resistance of pipes to the appearance of corrosive processes, the influence of chemicals.

However, reinforced-plastic pipes have lower indicators of fastening reliability than plastic pipes. Loss of tightness of the connection is possible when the pipe is heated, which leads to the formation of a leak. Fittings are used for the installation of the matelloplastic system.

Polyethylene products are used only for the arrangement of external water supply networks. Among the advantages: easy installation with fittings, durability and affordability. Since they are not resistant to high temperatures, they are used exclusively for the cold water supply network.

Metal products have long faded into the background. Their negative sides include the complexity of installation, high cost and susceptibility to corrosive processes.

Leaks are the most common type of breakdown that occurs in different parts of the water main, at industrial facilities or at home.

Before repairing the plumbing, water should be shut off... After fixing the breakthrough, you need to dry the work surface. Only then can you begin to eliminate it.

There are such activities that can be resorted to in case of a leak:

Apply epoxy glue or sealant. On a metal surface, in a radius of up to 5 cm around the breakthrough, remove the rust, and then apply a sealant. Epoxy requires the use of a bandage. Water can be started in 12 hours.
Installation of a temporary rubber bandage. After installation, it must be fixed with a wire.
Using a flange. The method is temporary, but allows you to eliminate the leak for a long time. Thanks to its rubber, wear-resistant surface, it can be reused.
Threadless method for eliminating leaks. Provides for the installation of a larger diameter pipe in place of the damaged area. An incision is made in the place of the breakthrough, the section is processed with glue and a pipe is mounted in its place, which will play the role of a clamp.

Repair of a metal water supply system involves several methods:

"Old-fashioned" with cement and fabric;
using asbestos and cement;
with a clamp with a rubber gasket.

The first method of embedding metal pipes is considered temporary. Before starting work, it is necessary to dilute the cement to a liquid state and soak a piece of fabric with it.

Eliminating leaks with a clamp

Such a bandage is placed on the damaged section for a width of plus 20 cm on each side of the breakthrough site.

The new start-up of the water supply network can be carried out no earlier than a day after the temporary repair. Method cannot be used at pipe joints.

When repairing a pipeline, asbestos plays the role of reinforcement. In the absence of material, it can be replaced with fiberglass.

The width of the patch made of cement-asbestos mortar should not be less than the width of the section to be repaired.

Before applying it, the pipe is cleaned of any substances: paint, dirt, grease, etc. After installation on the surface, the fiberglass tape is fixed with a metal hoop.

The clamp can be mounted on a working pipe. Overlapping of water supply networks is not required. Before installing the product, it is necessary to spread its ears so that it freely engulfs the pipe.

The rubber pad lies flat on the breakout. There should be about three centimeters between the ears.

Repair of the plastic water supply network is carried out by replacing the damaged section with a new one. For polypropylene pipes, soldering is used, for metal-plastic products - threaded inserts.In some cases, handicraft welding is used, that is, the place of the breakthrough is sealed with molten plastic. To warm up the soldering point, open flame is applied or hot metal. It is important not to damage the plastic surface of the pipe.By connecting segments of different diameters, you can do without soldering. Instead, glue is used. It is necessary to process a section of a smaller diameter and grease with an adhesive solution. Fiberglass can be wound if required.The processed piece is placed in a larger diameter product. At the junction, you need to crimp with a bandage. If pressure pipes are being repaired, mechanical pressure is mandatory.It should be remembered that sluggish glue degrades over time and loses its bonding properties.It happens that the plastic pipe of water supply networks loses its shape. Deformation of its surface does not always indicate damage. If the pipe cannot be aligned, the dented section should be replaced.Also, a site must be replaced if scratches are visible on it with a depth of more than 10% of the total wall thickness.Prevention of water supply breakdown is an important component of the operation of networks. You should regularly inspect the pipes for breakage, monitor the pressure in their cavity.The water supply system, like any other system, may fail sooner or later. As a rule, the breakdown of this communication occurs as a result of its wear and tear. However, other options are also possible: mechanical action, increased pressure in the system, etc. The sequence of troubleshooting communication problems depends on the material from which it is made, as well as on its type.Breakdowns in the plumbing system occur for various reasons, but most of them can be fixed by hand.Breakdowns of water supply lines are subdivided, depending on their nature, into the following types:

from time to time, there may be short interruptions in the water supply. In some cases, the break can be long;

complete disappearance of water in communications;

pressure drop in the network;

the occurrence of noises in the system, which are uncharacteristic of the usual movement of water through pipes;

the appearance of condensation on water pipes;

blockage in the pipeline;

failure of communication elements.

Important! Metal pipelines are much more likely to fail, as they have poor resistance to corrosive effects. In addition, the inner walls of metal pipes are not as smooth as those of plastic analogs, so salt deposits accumulate on them. This leads to a narrowing of the lumen of the pipe, until it is completely blocked. Low pressure is a fairly common problem, due to which there is a cessation of water flow to the taps.This leads to the fact that residents of high-rise buildings simply stop receiving water.To measure the pressure in the water supply system, a special device is used - a pressure gauge. If it registers low pressure readings, it is necessary to open the dampers in the wells and at the entrance to the communication. Also, in the water supply system, various equipment may fail: fittings, pumps, etc. In the event that a malfunction of the fittings in the water supply network is found, all types of fittings should be checked: protective, shut-off, water-folding and water-regulating.Most breakdowns lead to a drop in pressure in the system and a decrease in the water pressure in the taps.In order to identify a pump breakdown, a pressure gauge is used, which must be installed at the inlet of the pipeline to the building and after the pumping equipment. In this way, it will be possible to identify the difference in pressure and diagnose the problem.To replace damaged sections of the water supply system, pipes of different materials are used. Consider the materials from which they are made:

polypropylene (PP);

polyethylene (PE);

metal-plastic;

metal (steel or cast iron).

Consider the main advantages of pipes made of polypropylene:

high rates of sealing of the connection;

high wear resistance;

resistance to the harmful effects of corrosion;

resistance to aggressive chemicals;

smooth inner walls that prevent the formation of salt deposits;

ease of installation;

low cost;

long service life.

Polyethylene parts, as a rule, are used only for laying external water supply networks. Consider the main advantages of polyethylene products:

budget;

the availability of parts and their variety;

long service life of polyethylene products;

repairing an external water supply using polyethylene parts is simple.

The damaged section of the water supply can be replaced with a polyethylene pipePolyethylene pipelines do not tolerate high temperatures well, therefore they are used only for communications that transport cold water. They are also actively used for the installation of sewer networks. Sewer pipes made of polyethylene are usually gravity free. This means that the drains in it move at an inclination in a natural way. Repair of water supply and sewerage systems made of polyethylene is carried out mainly with the replacement of damaged areas.Reinforced-plastic pipelines are incredibly popular today. They combine three layers in themselves: the outer and inner layers are represented by a polymer material, and a metal layer is located in the middle. Such products are in great demand for localized repair work.Among the advantages of metal-plastic pipes are:

low cost;

resistance to corrosive effects;

resistance to aggressive chemicals;

ease of installation.

But it is worth noting that individual elements of metal-plastic communications have lower indicators of fastening reliability and tightness than plastic counterparts. In addition, at high temperatures, the structure of such pipes can lose their density.Products made of different metals are not so popular today, since they are quite expensive and are distinguished by complex installation and instability to corrosion.A water pipe leak is the most common type of breakdown that can occur on any part of industrial or private communication.A small leak can be eliminated with a waterproof sealant and a bandage. Important! Before starting the repair of a water pipe leak, it is imperative to shut off the water in the system. Next, you should dry the place of leakage and only after all these manipulations you can proceed directly to the elimination of this breakdown. There are several ways to deal with a leak that you should pay attention to:

Use a special sealant or epoxy adhesive. In this case, before starting to repair the leak, you need to remove the rust around the damaged area. It is recommended to free the surface from rust within a radius of 5 centimeters around the leaking area. Next, you need to apply the sealant. If epoxy glue is used to repair the leak, a bandage will be required. It is recommended to use the water supply after this no earlier than 12 hours later.

A special device - a flange will help to cope with the leak. It should be noted that the use of a flange is a temporary measure, however, in this case, the leak will be eliminated for a long time. The flange is a product that can be reused.

And, finally, another method to combat leakage is a clamp from a pipe of a larger diameter. To do this, a cut should be made at the breakout point and the area should be treated with glue. Then a pipe is installed in this place, which will perform the function of a clamp.

There are several common methods for repairing various breakdowns in metal communications. Let's consider them:

As a rule, a fairly common problem associated with plumbing is the failure of the drain. This is due to low blood pressure. The repair can be done in a fairly simple way: wrap the damaged area with gauze soaked in cement mortar.

Pipe repair can be carried out using gauze soaked in cement or plaster mortar.It is recommended to wrap the gauze impregnated with cement mortar around the pipe in several layers. Not only the damaged point is wrapped, but also the areas that are located on the sides of it. As a result, the total length of such a plasterboard should be at least 30 cm.After the repair work, it will take 24 hours for the cement to harden. After that, you can turn on the water and continue to operate the repaired communication.The main advantage of this method is the strength of the cement dressing. The disadvantages include the fact that in this way it is undesirable to repair the joints of the pipes. Also, if the pipe is close to the wall, then such a repair event simply will not work.

The second method includes an improved version of the first method. To repair the pipe, in this case, you will need a reinforced cement mortar. As a reinforcement, asbestos fiber acts, which has high strength characteristics. If desired, epoxy glue can be used instead of grout.

Read also: Receiver DIY repair

The technology for repairing a damaged section of a water supply system in this case is no different from the first method. The water is also launched a day after the repair work.

There is another way with which you can repair the water supply, however, it is relevant only if the hole in the pipe is small.

Helpful information! Another method that will help fix the leak is with a rubber band. In this case, additional fixation in the form of a regular wire is required. With a small hole, it is enough to screw a bolt of suitable diameter into the metal water pipe. Such repairs are temporary and are carried out in this way: the hole is expanded to the size of the bolt, and then we screw the bolt and washer into it. The washer must be flexible in order to obtain the desired tightness values.A pipe made of any material can be repaired by simply wrapping the leak with electrical tape, but this is a very short-term measure.Plastic pipes for water are not only easier to install, but it is also easier to repair water pipes made of such material than to repair a metal water supply pipeline.This applies even to those cases when it is necessary to overhaul individual sections of the water supply system. Consider the types of connections that are used in the installation of polymer parts:

soldering method (thus, separate elements of the polypropylene pipeline are joined);

threaded method (used when installing metal-plastic pipelines).

Soldering is quite simple, but a prerequisite is the presence of welding equipment. Even a beginner who does not have any special construction knowledge and skills can handle the soldering of plastic pipes.Local repair of plastic or metal-plastic water supply pipes is carried out in three ways:

For minor damage, repair work is carried out without using a special bandage. It is enough to take the most ordinary electrical tape and wind it over the damaged area. It is advisable to wrap the damaged area with several layers of electrical tape. After that, the pipeline element repaired in this way will be able to serve from several months to several years.

In some cases, it is possible to repair the damaged section of the plastic water pipe by welding. As a result, the damaged area is sealed with its own plastic. To do this, you need to heat the soldering iron and apply it to the damaged point - the plastic will melt and fill the damage. Such a manipulation can be performed even with a conventional lighter, however, such a "handicraft" repair should be carried out very carefully, as the pipe may overheat.

There is also a way that can be called insertion. This method is suitable for joining pipes with different diameters. To do this, it is necessary to lubricate the outer surface of a pipe with a smaller diameter with glue and insert it into a pipe with a larger diameter. At the end, be sure to squeeze the joint with an iron bandage.

Important! In all cases where glue is used to eliminate breakage, experts recommend additionally securing the repaired section of the pipe with a bandage. There are quite a few ways to repair damaged sections of water pipes. From the simplest, "handicraft" methods, to the complete replacement of a specific section of the pipeline structure. The choice of method depends on the nature of the damage and, as a rule, on the specific case. If you wish, you can always turn to experienced specialists who can carry out a quick and reliable repair of any water supply networks.

Any pipe, including plastic, can be repaired by applying a patch. To eliminate the leakage, water is drained from the pipeline section. Further, the place of leakage is cleaned from old paint and rust. Cleaning can be done with a wire brush and sandpaper. Then the defective area is dried and degreased. Next, epoxy resin and a patch of fiberglass are applied to the problem area. Make sure that the glue penetrates the material of the patch, and then gives it an aesthetic appearance. If necessary, the place of repair is strengthened by additionally wrapping it on top with mounting tape. After 24 hours the pipeline is ready for operation.

Rubber patching process - Photo 05

At the joints of pipes made of cast iron of large diameter (usually a riser), leaks are also not uncommon. To repair a pipe with your own hands, you need to remove fragments of the old packing, and then install a new one, from strands of asbestos soaked in bitumen. From above, the packing is closed with a cement mortar, also reinforced with an asbestos strand.

In this way, cracks in cast iron pipes can be repaired. Its essence lies in driving lead cones into the resulting gap. Lead, being a very soft metal, flattens in all directions, filling the smallest voids in the pipe. Thus, the flow is stopped.

On straight pipe runs, the rupture site can be repaired with a patch or bandage, similar to cast iron pipes. However, in view of the fact that pressure lines are usually made with steel pipes, the following methods are more efficient and reliable.

If a small diameter fistula (up to 4 mm) occurs in the pipe section, you can use a self-tapping screw, with an effort screwing it into the place of the burst. With a hole of 5 mm or more, do-it-yourself pipe repairs must be performed in compliance with the following steps:

drain the water from the main;

drill the leak to level the edges;

tap the thread in the drilled hole;

install a rubber gasket on the bolt of the required size;

screw the hardware into the pipe, clamping the leak.

A section that has been carefully repaired with a bolt can function for a long time.Sealing the hole with a self-tapping screw - Photo 07The small diameter of steel water pipes allows you to repair a metal pipe with your own hands, both with the help of clamps produced by the industry in the form of repair kits, and with clamps made with your own hands.The installation of such a device is quite simple: a rubber seal is applied to the leak, the clamp itself is installed on it and tightened using the fasteners supplied.If you do not have a factory clamp, you can use several hose clamps of the required diameter and a strip of soft rubber.The use of a clamp to eliminate leaks - Photo 08Non-straight lines, as well as sections of pipe joints of different diameters, can also be repaired using clamps. Sometimes the factory clamp can only be installed skewed. The main thing is that it reliably eliminates the leak. A purchased clamp can be replaced with a pipe holder of the desired size. When using it, it is important to cut out the rubber seal with a margin of 1-2 cm.You can make good home-made clamps of the required width yourself, using a strip of sheet metal of the required size and drilling holes along its edges to install the tie bolt.