Jan 29 2014
Unseasonably cold weather continues across the country, with temperatures still sub-zero in several states. People heeded warnings this winter – they let taps drip, wrapped exterior plumbing, and opened cabinet doors – to keep things warm enough to ward off frozen pipes. Many have been lucky enough to avoid costly repairs, so far.
However when the big freeze turns into the big thaw, homeowners need to be prepared with an instant repair product like J-B Weld WaterWeld or SteelStik epoxy puttys.
Even when preventative steps are taken, pipes, tanks and joints, especially in older homes, are susceptible to freezing. When water becomes ice, it expands, putting pressure on whatever is containing it. That's why many times cracks and bursts won't be noticed until ice inside the pipes thaw. If you discover drips, leaks or sprays at your house, you'll need to act fast to avoid further damage, and possibly dodge an expensive overnight, weekend, or holiday visit from the plumber.
- First, determine what kind of pipes are in your home. J-B Weld WaterWeld is your best bet for PVC, SteelStik is ideal for cast iron, copper or other metal.
- Turn off the water that flows through the broken pipe.
- Clean the surface to be repaired, then roughen it with a file or sandpaper for best results.
- Once you've chosen the best J-B Weld epoxy adhesive for your plumbing problem, thoroughly knead with fingers until it reaches a uniform color.
- Wrap the putty around the pipe, pressing the plug into the hole to seal the leak, as well as flattening the edges to secure it down.
- Don't just plug the hole. Consider the pressure of the water and use enough J-B Weld to hold the affected pipe area.
- Allow the patch to fully cure for at least one hour.
J-B Weld WaterWeld is a specially-formulated epoxy putty that can be applied to a wet, leaking, or even underwater surface. Once kneaded, it can be easily molded. J-B Weld WaterWeld has a set time of 15 to 25 minutes, and will be fully cured, solid as steel, after just 60 minutes.
SteelStik is a hand-mixable, steel-reinforced, non-rusting epoxy putty adhesive and sealant used to plug holes and make permanent repairs on wet and dry metal surfaces. It sets in just 3 to 5 minutes, and is fully hardened after one hour.
"J-B Weld can save you time, frustration and money this winter," said Chip Hanson, J-B Weld CEO. "Both WaterWeld and SteelStik can stop a leak until you can reassess the situation and call a professional, if necessary. Our products provide not only permanent mends, but outstanding value. A $5 package of J-B Weld can save consumers an average of $150 in replacement or repair costs. And you're saving time when you aren't sitting around waiting for a plumber."
J-B Weld offers quick, simple solutions to other winter weather woes as well. WaterWeld and SteelStik are also handy to have around the house to fix broken shovels, snow throwers, sleds and more. To find your repair solution, visit the products section of jbweld.com, ask a question on the Facebook page, or call a customer service representative who can provide the best product recommendation at 903.885.7696.
About J-B Weld
J-B Weld, the leader of epoxy adhesive, is based in Sulphur Springs, Texas and has an office in Atlanta, Ga. For more than 40 years, J-B Weld products have earned a loyal and enthusiastic following from the people who take pride in their work. J-B Weld products bond strong to a variety of surfaces in even the toughest environments and provide cost-effective repair options. Family of products includes J-B Weld, J-B Kwik, J-B Stik, WaterWeld, IndustroWeld, MarineWeld, Perm-O-Seal, WoodWeld, and ClearWeld. J-B Weld products have always been made in the USA.
J-B Weld products are available at more than 50,000 retail locations in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and many outlets around the world. To find J-B Weld products, please visit jbweld.com/locations. For information, tips, and advice on J-B Weld please visit our website or "like" our Facebook page.