Plumbing emergencies are one of the easiest ways to ruin anyone’s
day. Some piping problems are easier to solve than others, and some require
extensive work. When it comes to replacing damaged pipes, for example,
the work can be costly but the best thing to do is to hire a
plumbing professional to ensure that everything is taken care of properly. Attempting to replace
piping yourself without professional help can save you some money, but
more often than not lack of experience can lead to additional damage to
your piping system.
If you feel that you are up to the task of replacing your own pipes these
tips can help you succeed:
Locate the Damage
The first thing to do is to determine where the damage is and break the concrete floor surrounding it. After reaching soil, it’s important to make a rectangular perimeter around the area you’ll be digging. Continue to clear any remaining concrete with a sledgehammer and dig around the pipe to expose the damage and continue to the actual repair.
Repairing Pipes: Clamping Minimal Damage
Inspecting your pipes thoroughly for holes is the first step. If you do happen to find holes you can use fix clamps and gaskets from your local hardware retailers. Installing fix clamps and gaskets are a good solution if the damage is minimal.
If clamps are enough to fix the problem then proper installation is your biggest concern. Make sure to clean the area properly, place the clamps wherever necessary, fasten the bolts, and make sure that everything is secured. Finally, you’ll want to turn your water supply on and check that your clamp repairs have fixed the damage and no water is leaking.
Repairing Pipes: Replacing Segments
If your pipe is too damaged for clamps to fix the problem, then perhaps replacing sections of the pipe may be necessary. You can cut and remove the damaged segment using an electric saw and smooth out the edges of cuts with sandpaper. Grab a replacement pipe segment that fits the length and diameter you’ve cut and connect it to the original pipe using clamps and pipe glue.
Securing Your Work
The last thing to do is secure your work: tighten the clamps, turn the water and ensure there are no leaks after turning on the water supply, and continue to cover the hole if your repair was successful.
Remember that repairing and replacing pipes properly is difficult work and the best course of action is to hire a professional plumber to do the work for you. For any and all plumbing concerns or emergencies make sure to contact us and we’ll take care of your plumbing problems.