I've had decent luck with those fiberglass wraps, actually. Used one last year on an awkward pipe bend in an older rental property—held up surprisingly well until the plumber could get there. Definitely agree about epoxy putty being finicky; surface prep makes or breaks it. Worth keeping a wrap handy for emergencies, but yeah... nothing beats a proper fix long-term. Good luck with it!
Fiberglass wraps saved me once too, though honestly my results were a bit mixed. Had a tenant call me at midnight with a burst pipe in the basement—classic winter nightmare. I slapped one of those wraps on, and it slowed it down enough to get us through the night, but by morning it was dripping again. Maybe I rushed the prep? Anyway, learned my lesson: they're handy in a pinch, but now I keep the plumber on speed dial... just in case.
"Fiberglass wraps saved me once too, though honestly my results were a bit mixed."
Yeah, fiberglass wraps can be hit or miss depending on the situation. I've seen them work wonders for minor leaks or temporary fixes, but honestly, they're not really designed to handle full-on bursts—especially if there's significant pressure behind it. You mentioned prep might've been rushed... that's definitely possible. The surface needs to be super clean and dry (which is tough when water's spraying everywhere), and you gotta wrap it tight enough to create a solid seal.
One thing I've found pretty reliable in emergencies is those rubber pipe repair clamps—the ones with metal sleeves and bolts. They're a bit bulkier and take a few extra minutes to install, but they hold up surprisingly well under pressure. Had a similar midnight call last winter at my uncle's place; basement pipe cracked wide open from freezing temps. We slapped one of those clamps on there, tightened it down good, and it held solid until we could properly replace the section later that week.
Not knocking fiberglass wraps completely—they're handy for smaller issues—but if you're dealing with something more serious, I'd lean toward the rubber clamps or even sharkbite fittings as a temporary fix. And yeah, keeping your plumber's number handy is always smart... some things just aren't DIY-friendly at 2 AM.
Fiberglass wraps definitely have their limits, but props to you for giving it a shot under pressure—literally, haha. I've had mixed luck with them too, especially if the leak's more than just a trickle. Those rubber clamps mentioned earlier saved my basement once... total lifesaver at 3 AM. DIY fixes can buy you time, but sometimes you just gotta bite the bullet and call in backup. Good job handling it though!
"DIY fixes can buy you time, but sometimes you just gotta bite the bullet and call in backup."
Couldn't agree more with this. I've seen plenty of quick fixes turn into bigger headaches down the line—especially when water pressure's involved. Those rubber clamps are great in a pinch, but if you're dealing with anything beyond a minor drip, calling in a pro usually saves you money (and sanity) in the long run. Kudos for giving it a go though, plumbing emergencies aren't for the faint-hearted... been there myself more times than I'd like to admit.
