How to Fix a Really Slow Plumbing Leak

Tighten Loose Fittings

• 1

  Shut off the water to the plumbing pipe by closing the water shutoff valve near it on a wall or in a crawl space. If you cannot locate the shutoff valve, go to the main shutoff valve of the home and turn the water off there.

• 2

  Open any valves near the leaking pipe by slightly turning them counterclockwise.

• 3

  Place an open-ended wrench around the nut nearest to the leak and turn it clockwise one-eighth or one-quarter turn.

• 4

  Turn the water supply back on at the main valve and monitor the plumbing area to ensure no further leaks occur.

Repair Holes

• 5

  Purchase a compression repair coupling that is the same diameter of the damaged pipe. The coupling should be long enough to cover the damaged area with at least 1 inch to spare on each side.

• 6

  Shut off the water supply to the home and hold the repair coupling up to the damaged area of pipe. Measure 1 inch in from each end of the coupling and mark the damaged pipe with a marker; the coupling should overlap the pipe on each end.

• 7

  Wrap a tube cutter around one marker line and rotate it to cut through the pipe. Repeat the process on the other marker line to remove the damaged pipe section.

• 8

  Slide a compression nut onto each end of the damaged pipe and then slide a ferrule onto each end.

• 9

  Slide the compression repair coupling over one end of the pipe and then lift the other end of the coupling onto the other end of the pipe.

• 10

  Hand-tighten the compression nut over the end of the compression coupler at both ends. Then, turn the nut another half-turn with an open-ended wrench to ensure it is tight.

• 11

  Turn the water back on and check to be sure the leak has stopped.