5 Temporary Fixes for a Plumbing Leak
A burst pipe or sudden leak in Phoenix can quickly turn into aย costly disasterโespecially when you’re waiting for professional help. With scorching summer heat that warps pipes and hard water that corrodes fittings, Arizona homeowners needย quick, effective solutionsย to minimize damage.
For over 20 years,ย Option One Plumbersย has been Phoenix’s go-to emergency plumbing service, earningย 500+ five-star Yelp and Google reviewsย for their rapid response and expert repairs. In this guide, we’ll share:
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ย 5 proven temporary fixes for common Arizona leaks
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ย When to DIY vs. when to call Option One immediately
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ย How proper drain maintenance prevents emergencies
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ย Real customer stories that prove why Phoenix trusts Option One
Why Arizona Homes Are Prone to Leaks
1. Extreme Heat Expands & Weakens Pipes
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Summer temperaturesย exceed 110ยฐF, causing PVC to warp and metal to fatigue
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Solution:ย Insulate exposed pipes before summer hits
2. Hard Water Build-Up Causes Corrosion
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Mineral depositsย degrade pipe joints and valvesย over time
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Solution:ย Install a water softener and flush pipes annually
3. Shifting Desert Soil Stresses Plumbing
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Arizona’s clay-rich groundย moves dramaticallyย between wet and dry seasons
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Solution:ย Schedule annual sewer camera inspections
4. Monsoon Rains Overwhelm Drainage
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Sudden downpours canย flood crawl spaces and loosen pipe fittings
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Solution:ย Ensure proper yard grading and French drains
5 Temporary Fixes to Stop Leaks Fast (Phoenix-Approved)
1. Pipe Burst? Use a Rubber Patch & Hose Clamp
Best for:ย Small cracks in accessible pipes
What you’ll need:
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Rubber piece (inner tube, garden hose)
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2 hose clamps or C-clamps
Steps:
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Turn off water supply
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Wrap rubber tightly around leak
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Secure with clamps every 2 inches
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Turn water back on slowly to test
How long it lasts:ย Days (until permanent repair)
2. Leaky Joint? Apply Epoxy Putty
Best for:ย Copper pipe solder joints, PVC connections
What you’ll need:
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Plumbing epoxy putty ($5 at hardware stores)
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Sandpaper (to rough up surface)
Steps:
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Dry and sand the leaking area
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Knead putty until uniform color
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Press firmly over leak, smoothing edges
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Let cure 1 hour before testing
Pro Tip:ย Keepย JB Weld WaterWeld in your emergency kit or ask Option One for more information
3. Faucet Dripping? Replace the Washer
Best for:ย Kitchen/bathroom faucets
What you’ll need:
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Adjustable wrench
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Replacement washer (match old one)
Steps:
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Shut off water under sink
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Remove handle and stem assembly
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Swap worn washer
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Reassemble and test
Option One Insight:ย 60% of faucet leaks stop with this $1 fix
4. Toilet Running? Adjust the Flapper Chain
Best for:ย Phantom flushes and constant running
What you’ll need:
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Pliers (to adjust chain length)
Steps:
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Remove tank lid
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Ensure chain hasย 1/2″ slackย when flapper is closed
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Bend or clip excess chain if needed
Emergency Alternative:ย Shut off toilet valve until repair
5. Water Heater Leak? Drain It Immediately
Best for:ย Small tank leaks
Critical:ย If leaking fromย top, may just need new valves
If leaking fromย bottom, tank is failing – call Option One ASAP
Steps:
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Turn off power/gas
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Connect hose to drain valve
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Open pressure relief valve
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Drain completely
Safety Note:ย Sediment buildup causes 80% of Arizona water heater failures
When to Call Option One Plumbers Immediately
๐จย Water spraying uncontrollablyย (main line break)
๐จย Sewage backupย (health hazard)
๐จย Leak near electrical wiring
๐จย No water pressure throughout house
๐จย Suspected slab leakย (warm floors, mold smells)
Option One‘s Emergency Services Include:
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24/7 live answer service
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Average 90-minute response time in Phoenix
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Camera inspections to pinpoint leaks
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Trenchless repair options
How Option One Plumbers Became Phoenix’s Most Trusted Name
๐ 500+ Verified 5-Star Reviews
๐นย “Had a pipe burst at 2 AM. Option One was there by 3:15 and had it fixed before sunrise!”ย –ย J. Ramirez (Yelp)
๐นย “They’ve maintained our historic home’s plumbing for 12 years. Flawless work.”ย –ย L. Chen (Google)
๐นย “Honest pricing and no upsells. Rare in the plumbing industry.”ย –ย T. Williams (Yelp)
๐ต Deep Community Roots Since 2002
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Official partnersย with 15+ local HVAC and roofing companies
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Sponsorsย Little League teams across Maricopa County
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Provides free leak detectionย for senior citizens monthly
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Trains apprenticesย through ACE Scholarships program
๐ ๏ธ Arizona-Specific Expertise
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Specialized inย desert plumbing challenges
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Fleet ofย monsoon-ready service trucks
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10-year warrantiesย on most repairs
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Free second opinionsย on major jobs
Prevent Future Leaks: 5 Essential Phoenix Maintenance Tips
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Insulate Pipesย Before Summer (Use foam sleeves)
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Flush Water Heaterย Annually (Prevents sediment cracks)
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Install Water Softenerย (Reduces mineral damage)
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Grade Soil Awayย From Foundation (Prevents shifting)
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Schedule Camera Inspectionsย Every 3 Years
Conclusion: Be Prepared for Arizona’s Plumbing Emergencies
While these temporary fixes can save your home from water damage,ย permanent repairs require professional expertise. When in doubt, callย Option One PlumbersโPhoenix’s most trusted name forย fast, honest plumbing service.
๐ย Need help now? Call Option One at 602-225-4240 or visit Option Oneย for 24/7 emergency service!
More Arizona Plumbing Guides
๐ย “5 Signs Your Sewer Line is Failing (And How to Fix It)”
๐ย *”How to Save $500/Year on Water Bills in Phoenix”*
Have a leak emergency? Comment below or contact Option One immediately!ย ๐ฆ๐ง