Video: How to fix a leaking 90-degree pipe elbow bend with water pressure still on at 3 bar

About this Pipe Repair Video

What happens when you cannot use a repair clamp to fix a pipe because the leak is not on a straight section, but rather a more challenging geometry like a 90-degree elbow bend?

This is a question we get asked quite a lot at Sylmasta. Which is not really a surprise. Elbows and other bends are necessary in all kinds of systems – from skyscraper pipe stack systems snaking through buildings to domestic water supply lines connecting to the public main.

The answer? Use Wrap & Seal Pipe Burst Tape for a live leak repair with conforms to the shape of the pipeline.

To show how quick and easy an elbow bend repair using Wrap & Seal is, we filmed this demonstration video during product testing at Sylmasta HQ.

We drilled a pinhole leak into a 90-degree bend on a steel pipe and set pressure through the line at 3 bar. We then used one small 25mm x 2m Wrap & Seal to repair the leak whilst water was spraying out.

The tape was anchored to the side of the leak with a single wrap around. Wrapping then continued towards the pinhole with a 50 percent overlay of each rotation. The white guideline down the middle of Wrap & Seal enables accurate application.

Once over the pinhole, wrapping focussed directly over the leak. As Wrap & Seal is stretched by its maximum 300 percent and wrapped around the pipe, it amalgamates to itself to form a solid rubber band.

Each layer of Wrap & Seal increased the pressure being exerted by the tape over the leak. Eventually, the pressure of the band becomes greater than that of the pipe and the leak is fully contained by the rubber ridge left over it.

The leak was never chased when water was spraying from different areas during application. Spreading the tape over the pipe based on where it appeared water was escaping from would have reduced the strength of the repair.

Even when water had stopped leaking from the pipe, wrapping continued until the entire Wrap & Seal had been used. Adding additional tapes on top would have increased the pressure resistance further by increasing the size of the rubber band.

It is possible to build pressure resistance up to 30 bar using multiple Wrap & Seal. This repair was pressure tested afterwards and successfully withstood up to 10 bar.

Wrap & Seal has WRAS approval, meaning it is certified to British standards as safe to use on pipes carrying drinking water.

Repairs made with Wrap & Seal can be reinforced by applying SylWrap HD Pipe Repair Bandage over the tape. SylWrap comes with a fast-working, water-activated resin.

It sets rock hard within minutes as is it is wrapped and smoothed around a pipe, curing to form an impact resistant outer sleeve which protects and strengthens the initial repair.

How to calculate the number of Wrap & Seal Tapes needed for a repair

The Sylmasta Wrap & Seal Calculator helps determine the number of tapes needed to repair a live leak up to a specified pressure resistance. Enter the diameter of the pipe in millimetres, water pressure and the size of the hole requiring seal.

A safety factor is a multiple to include a margin of safety. If pipe pressure is 3 bar for example and you want a safety factor of two, the calculator will formulate a repair for 6 bar.

After entering the repair data, selecting the size of Wrap & Seal to be used will determine the number of that specific tape for the application.

Repars to pipes in excess of 150mm diameter using Wrap & Seal PB-50x4m or PB-50x11m should be made in conjunction with SylPad Pressure Resistance Multiplier.

(Calculations serve as a guide to potential maximum pressure resistance only. Actual pressure resistance depends upon pipe material, condition, hole size, leak type and tension maintained during wrapping.)

Elbow Bend Repair Products

Wrap & Seal Pipe Burst Tape
Self-amalgamating repair tape which fuses together to form a solid rubber band, sealing leaks around elbow bends

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