The Affordable Alternative To Plumber's Tape That Can Help Plug Up Minor Leaks

Whether you're hearing a slow drip or worried about severe water damage, a leaky pipe can cause a lot of stress, especially when you don't have the necessary items to fix it. The usual advice is to check the tightness of the fittings before plugging the leak using plumber's tape or epoxy putty and calling your plumber. If you don't have the tools to tighten fittings or any waterproof tape, though, it is easy to panic. Before giving up and holding a bucket in place until the plumber arrives, you may want to try a trick that uses an affordable item you likely already have in the bathroom: Bar soap.

It may sound strange, but there are plenty of other unexpected household uses for a bar of soap. Basic bar soap is made from oils, fats, and lye. The oils have water-repelling properties, which is why some people use a bar of soap to plug small plumbing leaks temporarily. The solidity of the soap means it can stick in a small hole, just as it does when people use it to fill nail holes. So, the idea is to maneuver some soap into a leaky spot, which means that the opening will be plugged and the oil will help repel the water. If you are in a pinch and want to try something to stop a minor leak until the plumber gets there, it may be worth reaching for that bar of soap on the counter.

First, you need to know how to find the source of a water leak in your home. Also, determine the severity of the leak. While bar soap may plug a tiny hole with minimal water escaping, it will not hold against a lot of pressure or in a large gap. The bar soap method is best used on pinhole leaks. With the leak found, you can grab your bar soap. While you can attempt the fix with any bar soap, people who have tried this hack report that soaps with higher oil and fat contents, such as ivory soap, work better. The fat content of the soap is sometimes displayed on the packaging if you want to compare multiple bars before use.

Then, you simply rub the bar of soap firmly over the leak so that the soap gradually rubs off and fills the opening. You may also add a bit of water to a chunk of the soap and mold it so you can stick it over the leak. Ideally, the plug should hold long enough for your plumber to arrive or for you to run to the store to shop for the best products to get a leak under control, but you should not rely on it for an extended period of time. It certainly is not foolproof and should not be attempted on major leaks, but bar soap may be an effective quick fix to get you out of trouble temporarily.