Had a pipe under the kitchen sink start dripping last weekend. Didn't wanna call a plumber right away (you know how pricey that gets), so I grabbed one of those epoxy putty sticks from the hardware store. Followed the instructions, kneaded it up, slapped it on, and waited. Surprisingly, it held up pretty good...so far. But I'm kinda skeptical it'll last long-term. Has anyone else tried this stuff? Did it hold up over time or am I just delaying the inevitable plumber visit?
"Surprisingly, it held up pretty good...so far. But I'm kinda skeptical it'll last long-term."
Yeah, epoxy putty can be a decent short-term fix, especially if it's just a minor drip. I've seen it hold up for months, even years in some cases—but usually that's when the pipe isn't under constant pressure or heavy use. Did you notice if the leak was at a joint or just a random spot on the pipe? If it's at a joint, you're probably just buying time...but hey, sometimes that's all you need to save up for the plumber visit, right?
Had a similar situation a while back... epoxy putty held up pretty well at first, but once winter hit and pipes got colder, leak came right back. Was yours on a hot or cold water line? That might make a difference.
"epoxy putty held up pretty well at first, but once winter hit and pipes got colder, leak came right back."
Yeah, same here. I tried epoxy on a cold water line in my basement once—worked like magic through summer and fall, then winter rolled in, and it was drip city again. Seems like temperature swings really mess with the bond. Ended up biting the bullet and replacing that section of pipe. Sometimes the quick fix just delays the inevitable...or maybe my pipes are just cursed, who knows?
Ended up biting the bullet and replacing that section of pipe.
I've used epoxy putty a couple times myself, and my experience aligns with what's already been mentioned. It's generally effective as a short-term solution, especially if you're dealing with minor leaks or drips. However, epoxy tends to become brittle over time, particularly when exposed to temperature changes or pressure fluctuations. I patched a leak under my bathroom sink once, and it held strong for about eight months before gradually starting to drip again. Eventually, I had to remove the section and properly replace the fittings.
If you're looking for a temporary fix or need to buy some time until you can do a proper replacement, epoxy putty is a decent option. Just don't count on it as a permanent solution, especially if the pipe is exposed to significant temperature swings or high water pressure. In the long run, replacing the affected pipe or fittings is usually unavoidable.
