Plastic pipes – also known as polyvinyl chloride/PVC pipes – are commonly used in plumbing, sewage and irrigation. Although they are durable and lightweight, they can be damaged and leak over time.
The good news is that you don’t have to buy a replacement pipe right away. You can save a lot of money by simply following this guide on how to fix a hole in a plastic water pipe.
Tools needed for pipe repair
There are many ways to repair damaged non-pressurized pipes, as I will discuss below. Depending on the method you want to try, you will need the following materials:
- Rubber band and hose clamps
- Rubber and silicone tape
- Epoxy putty
- Fiberglass resin tape
- Fiberglass resin canvas and UV light
- Carpenters, ratchet cutter, cobra clamps or poly clamps, and pliers
How to Patch a Leaking PVC Pipe
Plastic pipes work well, especially if they are glued together properly. But like most plastics, it’s not 100% leak-proof.
As you can see, pipe damage can occur for the following reasons:
- Using the «wrong» type of PVC cement
- Incorrect pipe installation
- Puncture or impact on the pipe (for example, accidentally driving a nail into it)
- Extremely cold
If any of these are causing a hole in a non-pressurized plastic pipe, you can try any of these quick fixes:
1. The rubber band and hose clamp method
These materials help to compress the holes/leaks in the pipes, thus preventing them from leaking. As one of the easiest methods on this list, it involves just two simple steps:
- Wrap the rubber band around the affected area.
- Place hose clamps over holes/leaks. Be sure to collect them.
Pro Tip: This is only a temporary fix! The rubber band and hose clamp will not be as effective if the leak has grown in size.
2. Rubber and silicone repair tape method
Using a rubber/silicone repair tape is another easy way to do this plug the small holes in the existing pipe. It can help seal cracks simply by «bonding» to itself.
One of the great things about this method is that it doesn’t require any fancy tools. Not only does the tape stick to itself, but it can stretch up to 300% more.
The rubber and silicone band can also withstand pressures of up to 30 bar. This makes this material handy for sealing leaks in pipes where you can’t shut off the water supply.
You also don’t have to worry about making a big mess when using this tape compared to when using a tacky adhesive material.
There it is how to fix your pipes with the help of rubber and silicone tape:
- Wrap the tape tightly around the hole. Be sure to cover the areas around the leak as well.
- Let the tape do its magic. Within seconds, it will immediately form water tight and tight seal around the hole.
3. Epoxy method
Epoxy repair is a type of putty (viscous liquid) that seals the cracks of the pipe and its joints. When applying this material, you must:
- Clean and dry the affected area.
- Mix the epoxy grout according to the manufacturer’s instructions. If you’re using a putty stick, all you have to do is cut off the amount you’ll use for caulking.
- Apply the epoxy to the damaged area. Allow to set for at least 10 minutes.
- Turn on the water supply one hour after applying the grout. This way you can see if you have properly sealed all the leaks.
Pro tip: Epoxy putty (especially the stick form) is best used in tight spaces because all you have to do is slap it into the hole. You don’t have to wrap it like you would with a rubber and silicone band.
4. Fiberglass tape method
A fiberglass strip is equipped with a water-activated resin that will harden around the pipe and seal the minor leak.
If you intend to use this material, you must:
- Clean the damaged section of pipe with a damp cloth.
- While the pipe is still wet, apply tape around small leaks.
- Allow the resin to harden for at least 15 minutes.
5. Fiberglass resin cloth method
Fiberglass tape works, but is more of a temporary fix. So if you are looking for something more permanent then go for a fiberglass resin cloth. It is resistant to temperature changes, which is useful since then extreme cold can cause pipes to burst.
Here’s how to use a fiberglass cloth:
- Clean the spilled area with a damp cloth.
- Sand the affected area as this will help the fiberglass sheet bond better to the drain.
- Wrap the cloth around the affected area.
- Harden the resin by shining a UV light directly on the area.
Pro tip: If you don’t have a UV light, you can cure the resin cloth by exposing the patched pipe to sunlight.
6. The Joiner method
If the above methods fail seal the hole of the PVC drain pipe, then you may want to consider using the carpentry method. This fix uses pipe connectors/fittings that «join» the two undamaged ends of a pipe.
Here’s how to install joinery, according to a professional installer’s video:
- Cut both sides of the damaged pipe.
- Slide a multi-purpose clamp or cobra clamp over one side of the pipe.
- Push the joiner into the end of a cut pipe.
- Push the other end of the connector to «join» the cut pipes
- Move the cobra clamp or polyethylene clamp over the area where the joiner meets the cut pipe. Secure them by hand or with pliers.
Pro Tip: Don’t over tighten the clamp or you could end up bending and breaking the pipe!
Frequent questions
How do you prevent leaks from plastic pipes?
Just because you’ve repaired or replaced your PVC pipes doesn’t mean they won’t leak again. To prevent further or additional damage, you must be proactive and do the following:
- Inspect pipes regularly
It is not enough to just look for signs of deterioration (eg discolouration of pipes). You will need to touch the pipes because it will help you detect moisture immediately.
While it’s important to inspect all the pipes around the house, you should pay extra attention to the pipes in these high-risk areas: the kitchen sink, dishwasher, bathroom sink, and washing machine.
It will also help evaluate the pipes for poor or poor connections. Don’t wait for it to spoil! Tighten the fittings with pliers and fix what needs fixing before they are completely damaged.
If you live in a cold area, then your plastic pipes are at greater risk of damage. The water inside can freeze, and this ice build-up will end up putting excessive pressure on the pipes.
The result: broken pipes.
So, before the colder seasons begin, make sure you insulate your pipes right away. Here’s a video on how to do it single.
- Install electrical water sensors
Some of your PVC pipes can be placed in a tight space. As such, you may not be able to inspect them as often as you would like.
That said, it is possible to further prevent pipe leaks by installing electrical water sensors in these areas. They will shut off your water supply at the first sign of a leak/moisture build-up.
When should you replace a damaged PVC pipe?
Here are two scenarios that require replacing the damaged area of the pipe:
- The leaking pipe is pressurized (the quick fixes above will simply fail no matter how hard you try)
- The damaged area is too extensive to repair with the methods mentioned above
While replacing PVC pipes (especially in a tight spot) may seem difficult, it is doable. First of all, you need to prepare the necessary materials:
- Saw
- Replacement PVC pipe
- PVC primer
- Pipe glue/adhesive
Once you have all the above equipment, you can proceed to replace the pipe. Here’s how to:
- Turn off the mains water supply. Drain the excess water from the pipes.
- Cut the damaged/leaking area.
- Cut part of the replacement PVC pipe. Be sure to dry mount it in the area it will be occupying to see if it sits correctly.
- Apply PVC primer to the parts that will be glued together.
- Apply a generous amount of glue to said parts.
- Attach the pieces immediately, as the glue will set immediately.
- Hold the pieces together for 30 seconds or longer, depending on the time specified in the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Wipe off excess adhesive material.
Conclusion
Plastic pipes can be damaged by punctures, incorrect installation, the wrong type of PVC cement and extreme cold. To fix such leaks, you can use any of the following:
- Rubber band and hose clamps
- Rubber and silicone tape
- Epoxy putty
- Fiberglass tape
- Fiberglass resin cloth
- carpenters
It is important to note that these fixes only apply to non-pressurized plastic pipes or smaller leaks. For pressure pipes or larger holes, it may be necessary to replace the damaged section immediately.
Do you have more questions about fixing holes in PVC pipes? Just post a comment and we’ll be more than happy to help.
