When it comes to home maintenance and repair, few things are as daunting as leaking plumbing. But have no fear, pipes used in homes these days are actually quite simple to repair for a handy homeowner, using few or even no tools. Most homes are now plumbed with copper, which is light and easy to use, and imparts no taste or odor to water that flows through them. Whether the damage be from corrosion or from freezing and bursting, copper pipe repair is something most homeowners can do without much hardship. Make no mistake though, this type of repair is not the same as a complete copper repiping replacement project where you replace all your piping in your home. Instead we want to focus on fixing what you already have in your home.
If your leak is small, you can use one of the many types of pipe wrap available for repairing small leaks. Do a bit of research and determine which one is best for your situation before ordering your tape. If you do end up needing tools for the repair, there are many that will make the job go easily and smoothly. Take a look around online for what you might need.
In many cases, flexible tools, like a hacksaw, can be used, but to make the job really easy on yourself you can go with a pipe cutter. These work great on small projects like fixing copper pipes as well as larger repiping projects. Bottom line is that these cutters “cut” the repair time drastically. You may also need a pipe cleaner and a torch for solder. Most homeowners can get by using a hand-held propane torch; just be sure to use lead-free solder on your household pipes.
If you still feel copper pipe repair is just not for you, leave it up to the professionals. There are many places online to screen for good plumbers in your area, so take a look around and find a good one to take care of your leaking pipes.
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