How to Fix a Hole in a Water Pipe

Before you can begin, turn off the water supply to your home. Grabbing a few towels to catch excess water when you begin your DIY repair is also a good idea.

Unless some type of trauma occurred to the pipe (i.e., something hit it), a small leak is generally a sign of long-term corrosion within. Unfortunately, this means it’s possible that other areas nearby could be wearing out, too. 

The recommended solution depends on the location and extent of the damage:

• A regular pinhole leak: Clamp or patch

• A leak near or at the joint: Patch

• A leak with obvious corrosion nearby: Cut and replace the pipe

We explain all these options in step four below. Regardless of your repair approach, you’ll need to clean the pipe first. 

If you have a water leak coming from an appliance, you can solve this by following some quick fixes for leaking pipes, such as replacing faucets or toilet parts. If a copper pipe has burst, though, you may need to hire a local plumbing repair specialist.

Whether you’re applying tape, cutting and replacing a water pipe, or soldering a new pipe, moisture will make your handiwork much less effective. Whichever strategy you roll with, clean and dry off the surface of the pipe very well with a rag before starting.

A pipe clamp repair kit ($10 at the hardware store) contains a metal sleeve with plastic tubing inside. This water leak solution is an effective temporary fix, useful for mid-winter leaks or putting off potentially extensive or expensive plumbing repair jobs. 

Place the clamp over the affected area and screw it in tightly. Read and follow all instructions on the kit carefully.

Patching your pipe is another solid temporary solution that allows you to repair damage at jointed areas of your plumbing. Sometimes, it’s the best option if you need a bit of time to save up for a local plumber to do the job, or they can’t get to you right away.

You can purchase pipe repair patch kits at home improvement stores for around $10 to $15. This kit should include pipe repair tape, a pair of rubber gloves, and epoxy putty to help seal the leak. You’ll also need a small bucket of water to activate the tape.

Some patch repair kits come with just putty, which is effective but more difficult to get off when you permanently replace the pipe. Keep in mind; you will need to sand this putty down later to make additional repairs. Use the whole roll of tape on the pipe section or tee or elbow joint unless otherwise instructed.

Cutting and replacing your water pipe may be the best solution if there are clear signs of corrosion and you feel savvy enough to tackle the job.

Consider installing a stronger type of copper over the affected area. Type “M” copper is standard for households, but “L” is commercial grade. “L” costs more but is good for reinforcement.

The key to this job is determining how much pipe to cut and replace. You want to cut away all areas of potential corrosion so you don’t have to do the same job again in six to 12 months. Rusty, white or bluish colors, as well as tiny holes or abrasions, are all signs that you should remove the area.

Use a soldering tool (starting at $40 to $60) to secure the pipe. Ensure the area is bone dry before starting to solder, as moisture will prevent the copper from melting and sealing.

Whichever strategy you choose, you’ll have to turn on the water to see if it worked. If it’s still leaking, shut the water off again and diagnose. Calling a plumbing repair specialist may be your best bet if you can’t get the leak to stop or don’t know how to proceed.