When a pipe starts leaking or the toilet tank breaks, you can’t afford to sit around and wait until a plumber arrives. After all, water damage can take its toll quickly. That’s where these plumbing quick fixes come in handy. They don’t replace the need for a professional plumber, but they can help you recover from your emergency with the least amount of property damage possible.
How to Turn Off the Water
Whether you have a frozen pipe, broken pipe, or leaky appliance, it’s wise to know how to shut off the water. If the problem is localized, look for a shut-off valve behind the toilet, sink, or appliance in question, and turn it clockwise as far as it will go.
If a local shut-off valve isn’t an option, you need to locate your home’s main water shut-off valve. The most common locations for this valve include:
- In the basement or crawlspace
- Near the water heater
- In the garage
- Buried in a box near your property line with a metal cover labeled “water meter”
How to Tape a Leaky Pipe
If you find a hairline fracture in a water pipe, silicone pipe leak tape can provide a temporary solution. Here’s how to apply it:
- Turn off the water at the main shut-off valve.
- Dry the area near the leak.
- Wrap the silicone tape tightly around the pipe, overlapping itself several times.
- Turn the water back on and watch the pipe to ensure it’s no longer leaking.
How to Putty Cracked Porcelain
Toilets, sinks, and bathtubs may crack if hit with enough force, potentially sending water pouring onto the floor. Fortunately, you can plug up the leak with plumber’s putty. Here’s what to do:
- Apply plumber’s putty to the crack from the inside. Squeeze in as much putty as possible.
- Apply silicone or latex caulk on top of the putty to form a secondary seal.
How to Thaw a Frozen Pipe
Winter brings bitterly cold temperatures to Seattle, leaving exposed pipes vulnerable to freezing. If this happens, water may only flow at a trickle from one or more fixtures. Follow these tips to thaw the frozen pipe before it bursts:
- Keep a faucet open as you work.
- Apply heat to the frozen pipe with a heating pad, hairdryer, space heater, or towels soaked in hot water.
- Do not use open flame devices to thaw frozen pipes.
- Call a plumber immediately if you can’t locate or access the frozen area.
Contact Our Seattle Plumbers
When you have a plumbing emergency, it’s best to act fast. The very first thing you should do is call Puget Sound Plumbing and Heating so we can dispatch a licensed, experienced plumber to your location as soon as possible. We offer 24/7 plumbing services, so you can rely on us day or night. To speak with an experienced Seattle plumber about your emergency, please call (206) 350-0079 or contact us online.