many home decoration or construction site encountered PE pipe leakage, the first reaction is "can this pipe be repaired? It's too troublesome to change the whole root" - in fact, as long as the right method is selected, most PE pipe leakage problems can be solved by repair, there is no need to rush to change the pipe across the board.

To find out whether PE pipe can be repaired, we must first understand its material characteristics: PE pipe is made of polyethylene plastic, which itself has good flexibility and thermoplasticity - simply put, "can be welded and fitted", which is also the core foundation of its repair. But whether it can be repaired depends on the degree of water leakage and the use of the pipeline.

small leak: direct repair, two methods can be used

If it is a needle hole size leak or a fine crack within 1 cm (such as a pipe being slightly punctured by a sharp object, a small gap at the interface), it can be solved directly by repair:

- Method 1: PE special repair tape

This is the most worry-free "emergency + long-term" solution. First wipe the surface of the pipe 5-10 cm around the leakage point (no oil, sediment or water), then tear off the PE repair tape of the wound (choose the thickness of 1.5mm or more, with stickiness), start from the side of the leakage point, spiral wound in a "overlapping half circle", wrap 3-5 layers - pay attention to wrap tightly, let the tape and the pipe fully fit, and finally press and fix it by hand. This method is suitable for household pipes with low pressure (such as water branches, solar water pipes), and can withstand 1-2 kg of water pressure.

- Method 2: Hot melt patch repair

If the leakage point is slightly larger (such as 2-3 cm cracks), or if you need a firmer effect, use the hot melt method. Prepare a PE patch of the same material as the pipe (cut into a circle or square twice larger than the leakage point), and then use a hot melt machine to heat the patch and the pipe surface at the same time (adjust the temperature to 200-230 ° C, adjust according to the PE pipe specifications). When both surfaces melt into a translucent shape, quickly press the patch on the leakage point, and press it with a flat press tool for 30 seconds until it cools down - so that the patch and the pipe will be completely melted into one, more durable than tape, suitable for scenes with slightly higher pressure such as community water supply supervisors and farmland irrigation pipes.

Large leakage point: do not repair hard, it is safer to change the pipe

If it is more than 3 cm of cracks, pipes are smashed and deformed, or high-pressure pipes (such as municipal water supply main pipes, industrial pressure pipes), it is recommended to cut and replace the pipe directly - because even if this situation is repaired, it is difficult to withstand high water pressure, and it will not take long to leak. For example, the pressure of municipal main pipes is usually 4-6 kg, and the welding strength at the repair may not meet the requirements, but it will cause greater leakage problems.

Repair precautions: Don't forget these points

No matter which method is used, you must do these steps before repairing:

1. Turn off the water to relieve pressure: first turn off the valve upstream of the pipe and empty the water in the pipe - otherwise the pressure repair will make the water flow all the time, and the tape or hot melt patch will not stick well.

2. Clean the surface: use sandpaper or steel wire ball to rub off the oxide layer around the leak point, and then wipe it clean with a dry cloth - if there is oil stain, even the best tape will not stick.

3. Test pressure: Don't rush to pass water after repairing, first do air pressure or water pressure test (1.5 times the normal water pressure of the household pipe, keep the pressure for 30 minutes to be qualified) - avoid the situation of "looking at the repair, the water leaks again when it is turned on".

a final reminder: PE pipe leakage should be dealt with in time, don't wait for the leakage to become a "small waterfall" before repairing - water immersion will soak the wall, floor, and waste water resources. If you are not sure, it is also necessary to find professional plumbers to help, after all, pipeline safety directly affects life and construction.

In general, PE pipe is not a one-time pipe that must be replaced if it leaks. As long as you choose the right method according to the size of the leak, most of the cases can be "saved" - the key is to "make up accurately", not "make up indiscriminately".