Fix a leaking pipe joint
Save £60–120 today
30 mins · Beginner · Saves £60–120 vs a plumber
Last updated: March 2025
Before you start
This guide covers leaks at threaded or compression pipe joints — the most common kind. If water is spraying from the middle of a pipe rather than at a joint, that is a different problem.
Turn off the water before you start and have towels ready. Most joint leaks are a simple fix.
Tools needed
- ✓Adjustable spanner — you almost certainly already have one
- ✓Old towels or cloths — to dry the joint and catch drips
- !PTFE thread seal tape — buy: buy: £1–2 from any hardware shop
- !Replacement olive if needed — buy: buy: 50p–£1 for compression joints — take the old one to match
Turn off the water supply
Close the isolation valve on the pipe leading to the leak, or turn off the mains stop cock under the kitchen sink if there is no local valve.
Where beginners go wrong
Overtightening the joint — this distorts the olive in compression fittings and can crack plastic fittings.
Forgetting to wrap PTFE tape clockwise — if you wrap it anticlockwise, it unravels when you tighten the fitting.
Not drying the joint before testing — residual drips look like a leak when the joint is actually sealed.
Stop and call a plumber if...
Water is coming from a split or corroded section of pipe, not a joint
The joint is in the wall or floor and you cannot access it properly
The leak returns within a day of your repair
Cost breakdown
What you just learned
You now understand how threaded and compression fittings work. These skills transfer to replacing tap connectors, fitting isolation valves, and understanding your whole water system.
What this unlocks
Once you can fix a leaking joint, you can replace tap connectors, install isolating valves, and tackle most under-sink plumbing work with confidence.
✅ Completed by 1,842 people
⚠️ Watch out if you rent
Landlords are legally responsible for fixing leaking pipes. Report it in writing first. If there is a risk of water damage and they do not act within 24 hours, contact Environmental Health.