How to Fix an EMERGENCY LEAK: Two Methods 🔧 💦

How do you QUICKLY fix a pinhole leak in a copper pipe? Quin Williams of Williams Plumbing breaks down two methods for fixing an emergency leak: a gasket kit and a compression tape.

0:00 Introduction
1:05 Gasket kit
2:38 Compression tape
5:03 Leak test
5:54 Summary

Williams is the Northwest’s largest plumbing and civil contractor. We offer a comprehensive line of quality plumbing, civil construction, HVAC, green energy, consulting, and service solutions to meet the needs of just about any building project.

Williams Plumbing & Heating, Inc.
2131 Industrial Dr.
Bozeman, MT 59715
[phone]

[fraagrindr]

The gasket shines on a run of pipe which has even surfaces, as you demonstrated. But silicone self-adhesive tape works best where the gasket doesn't - at a joint where pipe and connector(s) meet and surfaces are different heights and even unlike materials.
I like to stretch-wrap in one direction. Then with a second piece stretch-wrap in the opposite direction, like gluing two pieces of wood together with opposing grains, making it doubly strong. An unstretched wrap to cover the job doesn't hurt at that point. I've had these repairs last months if out of direction sunlight.
I live on a farm with 75 yo 1/2-1" galvanized plumbing, so have been replacing as it breaks. Silicone tape has saved me lots of money and kept the water flowing.
Thanks for a great video!

[Mrio]

Thank you sir, just did the clamp method on a pinhole. This saved us on a permanent repair. Plumber today is twice as expensive as a plumber next week.

[cassandrajackson]

Thanks for the simplicity. This is the only video that I could find with clear instructions. Great video! 😀

[thesetruths]

It worked, clear generic silicone tape, on a leaking oil cooler line that has up to 65psi of hot oil in it. It was leaking 1 quart every 200 to 300 miles and now it's leaking none. 350 miles later of mountain, Interstate, and town driving. Used 2 hours of time (half was cleaning hose) and a $7 10' roll of silicone tape that I wanted to test. Took about 30" of clear tape to do one end of the hose while on the car. I prefer the clear as it allows me to see through it. I developed a technique to do it in tight space. Gave it 3 overlapping layers in a different pattern. Straight wrap, diagonal, then straight again. Any pattern works but important to have different seal points of different wrapping and do it as tight as you can, with space provided. Also important to squeeze and rub firmly on it to get each layer to fuse for 5 minutes or so before the next layer and the final layer. If it's higher than 65psi I would also place single double wrapped pieces directly over the leak, for extra strength material before the first layer of the 3 wraps. Or wrap it 4 times.

[CajunGreenMan]

I used other methods to turn a fast drip to a slow drip in two places, but VERY glad to know about these for future leaks. Keep up the great work!

[SierraLogic]

The gasket and hose clamp method saved my bacon. Pinhole leak in 1/2" copper. Held beautifully for 4 months until I could fix with Pex and Shark bite brass couplings. Had no money for plumber and needed time to learn how to correctly couple Shark bite with copper and Pex. I'm confident the gasket and hose clamp would have held much longer if needed. Super Helpful video!

[kelliestevedegenhardt]

Thank you! The gasket patch and clamp worked for me!

[howardturner]

This video was a life saver! Thank you! Didn’t have a gasket to hand but some gorilla waterproof patch and seal with a jubilee clip worked a treat!

[jesusapodaca]

The rubber gasket and hose clamp worked perfectly. Thank you so much!!

[CessnaPilot]

The clamp approach worked for me this evening. Had a hard time finding the rubber gasket material. I ended up at Harbor Freight and bought a $3.99 hand-truck rubber inner tube and cutting it to size. So far, it's working on our pin hole in a copper pipe that connects our house to the water main pipe. No leaks...knock on wood! Thanks.

[kurtbassett]

This guy knows what he’s talking about. The gasket material and hose clamp repair worked perfectly. I had a leaking 55 psi water line on a Sunday afternoon and was able to temp repair it until the plumber could come the next morning.

[bharati]

Thanks for this video. It helped to repair pin hole leak after Texas freeze. Hope to find a reliable plumber to get it properly fixed. One thing I must say that all the pipes have very small clearance where you cannot reach with your tools and cannot rotate the tools!! But, I was able to fix it temporarily so we have water now...

[phantomfrogstudios]

I would also like to thank you for the gasket and hose clamp solution. I just got the stuff for it, and now the pinhole in my basement is (temporarily) fixed. All the wet and moldy drywall on the other hand...

[loveitorleaveit]

Super helpful, love the step by step detail. Thank you

[jimbobshocks]

The first method worked great for me. I used a piece of bicycle inner tube and a hose clip and it worked perfectly. No need to drain or depressurise the system and made a strong seal. 5*. Saved my bacon.

[stefman]

I used a small piece of automotive heater hose and a clamp both in stock in the garage.

[donnyhud]

thanks man!! i just called my plumber back and said.. nevermind, , i got it!!! worked perfect!!

[spongevision]

Thank you just tried the hose clamp on my main water line copper pin hole leak. Worked like a charm

[TucsonOldman]

I have come to confess my sins as a home owner and landlord in the poverty stricken city of Tucson. I've been using old automotive heater core hose and automotive hose clamps for 40 years to stop leaks in galvanized pipes. Many of those patches have lasted 40+ years!!

I know it's not a good idea for drinking water. However I never drink our city's tap water and few do. It's just not safe ever and especially since they put us on CAP water and accelerated all the rust in pipes city wide.

In the future I will probably go with the patch you have recommended. But these temporary patches can last for decades. In Tucson you can probably expect to see more leaks appearing and a re-pipe job in your future. Well done video !!

[cpoul]

I keep an old bicycle inner tube around for this purpose which I used tonight. Always have an assortment of clamps on hand.