About this Project

Water escaping from a pipe can wreak havoc in your house. Even a tiny leak that is left to drip day and night will soon rot away everything in its vicinity. A pipe that freezes and bursts can produce a major flood.

As soon as you spot a leak, shut off the water to take pressure off the line. Then locate exactly where the problem is. If the pipe is not visible, this may be difficult, because water can run quite a ways along the outside of the pipe, a floor joist, or a subfloor. Eventually, any leaking pipe must be replaced (see Choosing Pipe, Related Projects). Here are emergency measures to temporarily stop the flow.