I’ve had mixed luck with those putties too—sometimes they just kind of ooze off if the pipe’s still dripping. Has anyone tried using a bit of sandpaper to rough up the copper first? Wondering if that helps it stick better, or if it’s just wishful thinking...
Roughing up the copper with sandpaper does help a bit, but honestly, it’s not a magic bullet—especially if the pipe’s still weeping. Those putties are finicky. If there’s even the tiniest bit of moisture, they just won’t grip right, no matter how much you prep. I’ve tried hitting it with a hairdryer first, but even then, it’s hit or miss. Sometimes I wonder if all these “quick fixes” are just buying us a few hours, not really solving anything long-term... but hey, when it’s 2am and water’s everywhere, you do what you can.
Yeah, I’ve noticed the same thing with those putties—they’re super picky about moisture. Even if you think you’ve dried it out, somehow there’s always that last bit of dampness hiding in the seam. I’ve tried using those rubber repair tapes too, but honestly, if the pipe’s still leaking, it just slides right off after a while. Maybe it slows things down, but you’re right, it’s never a real fix.
One thing I’ve had a little luck with is using a clamp and a bit of inner tube as a temporary patch. Not pretty, but it’ll hold until morning if you’re desperate. Still, nothing beats actually shutting off the water and replacing the section, but that’s not always an option when you’re half asleep and knee-deep in water. Quick fixes are just that—quick. I guess they’re better than nothing, but I wouldn’t trust them for more than a day or two.
That inner tube trick is a classic—definitely not winning any beauty contests, but hey, desperate times, right? I’ve tried the clamp method too, though once I used a zip tie and a bit of an old dish glove. It worked for a few hours, but I wouldn’t exactly call it reliable. Has anyone ever tried those “self-fusing” silicone tapes? I keep seeing them in the hardware aisle, but I’m skeptical they’d hold up if there’s actual water pressure.
I get the skepticism about those self-fusing silicone tapes. They look promising on the shelf, but honestly, I’ve seen mixed results. Tried it once on a copper pipe with a slow leak—wrapped it tight, stretched it like the package said, and it actually held overnight. But when I tried it on a PVC joint under a bit more pressure, it started weeping after a couple hours. Maybe it’s just not meant for anything more than a trickle.
Honestly, I’d trust a hose clamp and some rubber over the tape if you’re dealing with real pressure. The tape’s great for a temporary fix if you just need to stop the drip until morning, but I wouldn’t count on it for anything beyond that. Plus, if the pipe’s wet, good luck getting it to stick properly... It’s one of those things that sounds better in theory than in a panic at 2am with water everywhere.