How to Repair a Broken Pipe in Your Home

A quick and easy, no-soldering fix for your burst pipe.

Time

An hour or less

Complexity

Beginner

Cost

Less than $20

Introduction

Here is a quick and easy, no-soldering fix for your burst pipe.

Tools Required

  • Disconnect clip
  • Emery cloth
  • Large bucket
  • Pipe Cutter

Materials Required

  • Straight slip repair coupling

Project step-by-step (8)

Step 1

Shut off the Water

  • Locate the shutoff valve to your water main and close the valve.

Step 2

Find the Leak

  • The burst pipe could be a number of places in your house.
  • Look for watermarks on the walls and ceiling. Wet floors and carpet are signs of a leaky pipe.
  • You may have to cut open your wall or ceiling to access the problem.

Step 3

Push to Connect Fittings

  • Push to connect fittings are compatible with PEX, Copper, CPVC, PE-RT and HDPE pipe.
  • Various fittings are available — tees, elbows, shut off valves and straight slip repair couplings (see photo).
  • These fittings are removable and reusable. Use a disconnect clip to remove the fitting.
  • A few brands available are SharkBite and Watts AquaLock.

Step 4

Drain the Pipe

  • Even though you don’t need to drain the pipes to use push to connect fittings, you will stay drier if you do.
  • Open all the faucets connected to the burst pipe and let the water drain out.
  • Hang a bucket below the leaking pipe and let it drain.

Step 5

Cutting the Pipe

  • Remove about 1-1/2-in. of the damaged section of the pipe with the proper cutting tool, making clean square cuts.
  • Use a pipe cutter to cut copper and a PEX cutting tool for tubing. A hack saw works well for CPVC pipe.

Step 6

Cleaning the Pipe

  • Use a deburring tool and emery cloth to remove any burrs or sharp edges on the end of the pipe.

Step 7

Install the Fitting

  • Slip the repair coupling onto the first pipe, pushing it far enough so it clears the second pipe.
  • Snap the disconnect clip onto the pipe and push down on the release collar, moving the coupling toward the second pipe.
  • Insert the second pipe into the other end of the fitting, pushing down on the release collar while moving it.
  • Some push connectors have locking clips to install. They slip between the release collar and the brass shoulder of the fitting.

Step 8

Look for Leaks

  • Turn the water on and look for leaks. If it does leak, rotate the fitting until it properly seals onto the pipe.