7 Steps to Repair a Broken Pipe in Ottawa

A broken pipe can be a serious issue for any homeowner. It can cause significant water damage to your property and even lead to flooding. Water leaks can cause mold growth, structural damage, and costly repairs. If you're in a situation where you have a broken water pipe, it's crucial to take action immediately to minimize the damage. Temporary repair clamps will only last so long for leaky pipes, so venturing into having your broken pipe repaired is your best option.

In this article, we'll go over seven steps involved in repairing broken pipes, including identifying a burst pipe, the tools needed to repair broken pipes, the steps involved in drain pipe repair, and preventing future drainage pipe breaks. If you have any further questions, feel free to reach out to your local Ottawa plumber. As your first-choice plumbing company, Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Ottawa is proud to be serving its community.

Step 1: Identify the Broken Water Pipe

The first step in a broken pipe repair is identifying if it's broken. Some of the signs that you do indeed need to repair your broken pipes are:

Water stains on ceilings or walls.
A decrease in water pressure or the water flow from your fixtures.
Wet areas around the home or business.
A strange smell or taste in your tap water.
An increase in your water bill.
Cracks in plumbing around the house.

If you notice any of these common issues, it's essential to investigate further to determine if you have a pipe burst or leak. The best way to inspect the pipes around your home or business, look for visible signs of damaged pipes.

Tools Needed for Repair

Once you've identified the busted water pipe, you must gather equipment for the broken pipe repair. Here are the tools you'll need:

A pipe cutter or hacksaw
Sandpaper or a file
Pipe fittings (elbows, couplings, pipe clamps, pipe joints, etc.)
PVC (plastic pipe) or copper pipe, depending on the type of drain pipe replacement
Teflon tape, duct tape, pipe putty, or pipe dope
A soldering torch and flux (if repairing copper pipes)

If the broken pipe repair requires more tools, such as cutting out drywall, or you notice the job is bigger than you can handle, call a qualified plumber right away.

Step 2: Turn Off the Water Supply

Before beginning the repair, you must turn the water supply pipes off to the affected area. This will stop the water flowing into the room, causing further damage. The water shut-off valve is usually near the main water line, often in the basement or near the water meter. It's important to know where all your water shut-off valves are located on your property if something breaks and to prevent extensive damage. Once you have located the water valve, turn it off. Call an emergency plumber immediately for this broken pipe repair if you still cannot find the shut-off valve.

Step 3: Drain the Excess Water

After turning off the water supply, you will need to drain any remaining water in the drainage pipes. This can be done by turning on all the faucets in your home or property, including outdoor faucets, allowing the flow of water to empty from the plumbing fixtures. You should flush all the toilets in the house as well. This will allow the excess water to drain out the pipes and prevent any water from being trapped in the broken line.

Step 4: Locate the Broken Part of the Pipe

The next step is to locate the part where a broken pipe repair is needed. This can be done by inspecting the area where the water leaks or using a pipe locator. A pipe locator is a specialized device that uses electromagnetic signals to locate pipes. Once you have found the broken pipe, you can assess the damage.

Step 5: Assess the Damaged Pipe

The extent of the damage will depend on the location and severity of the break. If the break is minor, like a crack or pinhole leak, you can repair a broken pipe yourself. However, the break is more severe, with larger holes or an entire section needed for pipe replacement. In that case, you may need to call a professional for this plumbing emergency and more permanent repairs. A plumber can assess the damage and provide an estimated repair cost.

Step 6: Repair Broken Pipes

If the break is minor, you may be able to perform the broken pipe repair yourself. You will need a pipe repair kit from your local hardware store and any tools mentioned earlier. The kit will typically include a rubber patch and a metal clamp. To repair the pipe, first clean the area around the break with a wire brush. Then, wrap the rubber patch around the break and secure it with the metal clamp. Tighten the clamp until it's snug but not too tight. Turn the water supply on, checking for any leaks. If there are no leaks, the repair is complete. For a more extensive broken pipe repair, you can follow these steps:

Cut out the damaged part of the pipe: Using a hacksaw or pipe cutter cut out the damaged area of the line. It's essential to cut the pipe cleanly and squarely to ensure a proper fit when installing the new pipe.
Clean the pipe: Use sandpaper or a file to clean the edges of the line. This will remove rough spots or debris that could prevent a tight fit between the pipe and fittings.
Install the fittings: Once the pipe is clean, install the appropriate fittings. If using PVC pipe, use PVC glue to secure the fittings. If using copper pipe, apply flux to the fittings and pipe and use a soldering torch to solder the fittings in place.
Measure and cut the replacement pipe: Measure the length needed for the replacement pipe and cut it to size using a pipe cutter or hacksaw. Be sure to measure accurately to avoid gaps between the fittings and the new pipe.
Install the replacement pipe: Insert the replacement pipe into the fittings and secure it in place. If using PVC pipe, use PVC glue to seal the joints. If using copper pipe, use a soldering torch and flux to solder the joints.
Turn the water supply on: Once the replacement pipe is securely in place, turn the water supply on and check for leaks. If there are no leaks, the repair is complete.

These steps require advanced plumbing skills. We highly recommend you avoid cutting or extensive broken pipe repairs if you are unfamiliar with them or if this is your first time fixing a broken pipe. You could damage your plumbing system more and create more prominent and costly plumbing issues for yourself. Therefore, if the break is severe, call an emergency plumbing service. An experienced plumber will assess the damage quickly, provide you with a cost estimate, and efficiently repair broken pipes. They may need to cut out the damaged section of the line and replace it with a new part, which requires specialized tools and expertise from a qualified plumbing company.

Hire A Professional Plumber in Ottawa

Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Ottawa can handle all your plumbing problems and broken pipe repairs. With over 50 years of experience, our licensed plumbers at Mr. Rooter Plumbing have what it takes to fix even the most severe pipe problems. Our courteous team is licensed, insured, and trained to handle all plumbing issues quickly and affordably, leaving you with peace of mind at the end of the day. We offer upfront pricing and no hidden overtime charges. If the water leak is extensive, call us for 24/7 emergency services! Don't let a broken pipe repair give you more problems. Call us today for water line or drain repair!

Step 7: Prevent Future Broken Water Pipes

Once the broken pipe repair is complete, preventing future pipe breaks is essential. While it's impossible to avoid pipe breaks altogether, there are ways to minimize the risk of future leaks. Some things you can do to prevent this include:

Insulate Pipes: Pipes located in unheated areas, such as attics, crawl spaces, and exterior walls, are at risk of freezing and breaking. Insulating can prevent frozen pipes and breaks. Another tip is to keep your home or business's temperature above 14 degrees to avoid frozen pipes.
Replace Old Pipes: If you live in an older home, you probably have older pipes. If so, they may be at risk of breaking. Consider replacing old pipes with new ones to prevent this from happening.
Don't Pour Grease Down Drains: Grease can harden inside drain lines and cause severe clogs, leading to pipe breaks. We always tell our customers to avoid putting anything foreign down their drains.
No Chemical Drain Cleaners: Chemical drain cleaners can corrode pipes from the inside, weakening them and leading to breaks. Avoid these and use safe drain cleaners that are biodegradable or non-toxic.
Routine Inspections: Regular plumbing system inspections can help identify potential issues before they become serious and expensive. Drain cleaning services are an excellent preventative measure as well. We also recommend routine inspections of your sewer lines.

Let Mr. Rooter Plumbing Handle Your Broken Pipe Repair Needs!

From hot water heater installation to clogged drains, Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Ottawa has a team of experts on standby to help get your home up and running smoothly again. We proudly serve our local community with Nepean, Kanata, Barrhaven, and more service areas. Whether it's a routine inspection or emergency service, we're here for you. Don't wait today! Talk to one of our friendly customer service representatives today!