If a leak is major, turn off the water immediately, either at the fixture shutoff valve or the main shutoff valve. You’ll probably have to replace the leaky section of pipe. If your experience working with pipes is limited, you’ll probably want to call in a plumber to do the job. If the leak is small, the ultimate solution is to replace the pipe, but there are temporary solutions until you have time for the replacement job.

These methods work for small leaks only.

• Clamps should stop most leaks for several months if they’re used with a solid rubber blanket. It’s a good idea to buy a sheet of rubber, as well as some clamps sized to fit your pipes. You can purchase these items at a hardware store and keep them on hand just for this purpose.
• A sleeve clamp that exactly fits the pipe diameter works best. Wrap a rubber blanket over the leak, then screw the clamp down over the blanket.
• An adjustable hose clamp used with a rubber blanket stops a pinhole leak.
• If nothing else is at hand, use a C-clamp, a small block of wood and a rubber blanket.
• In a pinch, try applying epoxy putty around a joint where a clamp won’t work. The pipe must be dry for the putty to adhere. Turn off the water supply to the leak and leave the water off until the putty hardens completely on the pipe.
• If you don’t have a clamp or putty, you can still stop a small leak temporarily by plugging it with a pencil point.