The most common cause of pipe damage is winter freezing. Wherever possible, locate the area of frozen pipe while it is still frozen. You can then repair it before you have water everywhere when the ice thaws.
It's a good idea to keep some pipe repair tapes with your emergency repair tool kit (they are available from hard-ware shops). Simply wrap the two tapes around the damaged area; once in place they are strong enough to resist even mains pressure.
An epoxy-based repair paste can be used to make repairs. It is best used together with a length of glass-fibre bandage to add strength. But be warned! Plumbers don't like this kind of repair if they are called in later to make a more permanent job of it, because the hardened paste is difficult to remove.
Where a small part of copper pipe is damaged, buy a special repair sleeve. Cut away the damaged area, then slip the sleeve in place and tighten the special compression fitting to make a neat and permanent repair.
As an emergency repair use a strip of old cycle inner tube, held in place with a jubilee clip. Tighten the clip until the rubber is pressed very firmly against the damaged area.
When a pipe has been repaired, take care how you thaw out the pipe. You could use a hair dryer, keeping your electrical flex well away from anything wet. But hot cloths are safer, soaked in very hot water and then wrapped around the frozen area. Never use a blowtorch, especially in confined spaces such as in the loft-you could very easily start a fire with a stray spark.
Screwfix is the UK's largest direct and online supplier of trade tools, accessories and hardware products. To view their range of plumbing tools customers can visit the website here: http://www.screwfix.com/c/tools/plumbing-tools/cat831286.
