How to Fix a Leaking Pipe with Repair Tape

Quick answer: to stop a small drip from a pipe or hose until it can be repaired properly, turn off the water to that pipe, dry the area, then wrap self-fusing silicone repair tape tightly around the leak, stretching it as you go and overlapping each wrap by about half the tape width so the layers fuse together. For cracks on gutters, roofs, skylights or window frames, a thick aluminium butyl repair tape pressed onto a clean, dry surface is the better fit. Tape is a temporary fix: arrange a permanent repair as soon as you can.

Cold weather is when many people first notice a drip from a pipe in a garage, loft or under a sink, or a split garden hose. It helps to have the right tape in a drawer before you need it. TidyMend’s tapes are in Repair Tape.

Which repair tape for which leak?

Small leaks on pipes and hoses: self-fusing silicone repair tape. A white, 25 mm wide, 1 m long silicone tape with no glue. It bonds to itself as you stretch and wrap it, so each layer fuses to the one below. It is described for temporary repairs of small leaks on pipes and hoses, and for wrapping a worn handle.
Roofs, gutters, skylights, window frames and pipes: aluminium butyl repair tape. A 10 cm × 5 m roll with an aluminium foil face and thick butyl rubber adhesive, for patching leaks and cracks indoors or outdoors. The thick adhesive presses into rough surfaces.
Everyday repairs and bundling: cloth duct tape. A single roll of cloth-backed, all-purpose tape for household repairs, bundling, packing and moving. It is not the tape for leaks; use one of the two tapes above for those.

What you need

The right repair tape for the job (see above)
A dry cloth or towel
Scissors to cut the tape
A bucket or bowl to catch drips

Step-by-step: wrapping a dripping pipe or hose with self-fusing tape

Turn off the water. Close the valve for that pipe, or the main stopcock, and open a tap to let the pressure out. For a hose, turn off the outdoor tap.
Dry the area. Wipe the pipe or hose so it is as dry as you can get it around the leak.
Start beyond the leak. Begin wrapping a little to one side of the drip, not right on it.
Stretch and overlap. Stretch the tape firmly as you wrap and overlap each turn by about half the tape width, so each layer fuses to the one below. There is no backing glue, so the stretch is what makes it bond.
Finish past the leak. Carry on wrapping until you are a little past the leak on the other side, then cut the tape and press the end down.
Test it. Turn the water back on slowly and check for drips. If it still leaks, turn the water off and add more wraps.

Step-by-step: patching a gutter, roof or window frame with butyl tape

Pick a dry day and clean the surface around the crack so it is free of dirt and loose material, then let it dry.
Cut a piece from the 10 cm wide roll that covers the crack with room to spare on every side.
Peel and press. Peel off the backing and press the foil face down so the thick butyl adhesive beds into the surface.
Press the edges firmly. Run your fingers or a cloth along every edge, because the edges are where water gets in.

Work safely: if a repair means climbing to a roof or high gutter, use suitable access equipment and a helper, or get a professional to do it.

When tape is not enough

If a pipe has burst, split along its length, or water is spraying out, turn off the water at the main stopcock and call a plumber.
If a pipe has frozen, turn off the water and get advice before you try to thaw or wrap it.
Use tape to buy time, not as the final repair. The self-fusing tape is described as a quick fix until a permanent repair can be made.
For small repairs on plastic, metal, wood, ceramic or rubber items (not pipes), multi-purpose super glue with precision tips may suit better. Keep it away from skin and eyes and out of reach of children.

Tips

Keep a roll of each tape in a kitchen drawer, toolbox or garage so it is there when a drip starts.
Cut or tear off only the length you need.
Check a taped pipe every day or so until it is properly repaired.

Frequently asked questions

Can you fix a leaking pipe with tape?

For a small leak, yes, as a temporary fix. Turn off the water, dry the pipe and wrap self-fusing silicone tape tightly over the leak, stretching it and overlapping each turn by about half the tape width. Arrange a permanent repair as soon as you can.

What is self-fusing silicone tape?

It is a silicone tape with no glue. When you stretch it and wrap it around itself, each layer fuses to the one below. TidyMend’s tape is white, 25 mm wide and 1 m long.

Does self-fusing tape need a dry surface?

It bonds to itself rather than to the pipe, but drying the area first and turning off the water makes it much easier to wrap tightly and get a good seal.

What tape is best for a leaking gutter or roof?

Aluminium butyl repair tape. It has an aluminium foil face and a thick butyl adhesive that presses into rough surfaces, and it is described for roofs, gutters, pipes, skylights and window frames, indoors or outdoors. Apply it to a clean, dry surface and press the edges firmly.

Can I use duct tape on a leaking pipe?

Cloth duct tape is an all-purpose tape for household repairs and bundling. For leaks on pipes or roofs, use the self-fusing silicone tape or the aluminium butyl tape, which are made for those repairs.

How to Fix a Leaking Pipe with Repair Tape (Temporary Winter Fix)