Repairing a heating pipe without welding: how to fix a leak in a pipe

There are several proven ways to fix a leak in a pipe. To do this, you need to put thick rubber, a tourniquet or fiberglass, tightly wrapping it with a clamp. At the same time, you need to understand that all the methods described below are only temporary - in any case, you will have to call a team of specialists or perform independent repairs.

Causes and main places of breakthrough

Repairing a heating pipe without welding is possible, but only if the leak is small and there is definitely no threat of a breakthrough. However, it is very difficult to identify small defects. In apartment buildings, special equipment automatically equalizes the pressure if it decreases slightly due to a leak. In private buildings, pressure gauges are often not used or they are not accurate enough.

Therefore, to figure out how to repair a hole in a polypropylene pipe, you first need to find the location of the accident. And this can only be done visually, i.e. carefully examining the entire contour, especially vulnerable areas:

• threaded connection;
• weld;
• tap;
• less often - a straight section of thread without a weld.

To properly eliminate a leak in a pipe, you also need to learn to identify the characteristic signs:

• drops, jets of water;
• damp fragments;
• smudges;
• traces of rust.

In some cases, it is not possible to immediately figure out what to use to seal a polypropylene pipe.This is due to the fact that owners of apartments or houses enclose risers with boxes, which makes a visual assessment impossible. In such cases, it is recommended to install a pressure gauge in the heating circuit, find out the optimal range of values ​​and periodically monitor the readings.

Basic repair methods

If the joint of polypropylene pipes has leaked, here's what to do first - determine the location, place a basin or place a rag so that there is as little water on the floor as possible. Next, you need to choose the appropriate repair method based on the characteristics of the breakdown and the availability of available funds. The main options are as follows.

With a bolt

This is a fairly simple way to eliminate leaks in the connection of polypropylene pipes or metal products. The sequence of actions is as follows:

1. The riser is blocked.
2. Use a drill to widen the hole.
3. A thread is formed using a tap.
4. A bolt of the appropriate diameter is screwed into this thread.

The described instructions on how to fix a leak in a water pipe are of limited use. For example, if the system is already old, trying to make a thread will only lead to a larger gap. It is also quite clear that the technology will not work if there is no way to turn off the water. In these cases, it is worth considering other methods.

Temporary bandage

Repairing the joint of a polypropylene pipe can also be done using a bandage lining that tightens the hole tightly. You can choose any available tool, for example:

• pharmaceutical tourniquet;
• thick glove;
• fragment of a bicycle tire;
• part of an old boot and others.

The main requirement is that the gasket must be significantly larger in area compared to the hole. To secure the bandage, you should use rigid fasteners, for example, bolts or clamps.It is important to understand that this method of repairing a leak in a polypropylene pipe is temporary - after a few days or weeks (depending on the size of the defect), a major repair or replacement needs to be carried out.

Adhesive bandage

If the joint of a polypropylene pipe is leaking, you can also use special BF-2 glue to eliminate the accident. In this case, proceed as follows:

1. Using a metal brush, the pipe is cleaned of traces of dirt and also degreased, for example, with gasoline or white spirit.
2. Take fiberglass and cut it into strips that should correspond to 6-7 pipe diameters (you need to make at least 6 turns). In this case, the width of the cut tapes should be half (at least a third) greater than the cross-section of the pipeline.
3. An adhesive composition is applied along the edges of the resulting tapes, as well as an epoxy adhesive composition (work with a spatula).
4. Wrap it as tightly as possible onto the surface so that the fiberglass sticks to the pipe.
5. Perform the required number of revolutions, for example 6.
6. Despite the presence of 2 types of glue, the fiberglass fabric will need to be further reinforced using metal tape or foil tape.
7. After this, you can use the pipeline only after a day.

With car clamp

There is also an option to repair a heating pipe without welding - using a car clamp of the appropriate diameter. Along with it you will also need rubber. The procedure is as follows:

1. Cut off a piece of rubber 3 mm wider than the width of the clamp.
2. Loosen the clamp, install it in place of the pipe defect and tighten it a little, but not completely.
3. A rubber pad is placed under the clamp and carefully moved to the area with the defect.
4. When the rubber completely covers the leak, tighten the clamp with a screwdriver or wrench, depending on its design.

Thus, you can carry out repairs yourself, but all the methods described give only a temporary effect. They will help you hold on until the emergency team arrives or until you begin your own repairs, which should be done as quickly as possible. In fact, a complete solution is welding or complete replacement of part of the pipeline.