If one of the outdoor waterlines leading into your home has a cracked surface and water is dripping onto the ground, temporarily stop the leak by picking up the following plumbing supplies and completing the following steps. Once the plumbing has been patched, you can use the faucets inside of your home until you are able to have the waterline repaired or replaced by a licensed plumber. 

Materials

• towels
• sandpaper
• electric or hand sander
• all purpose cleaner
• lint-free cloths
• bucket of waterproof putty
• disposable gloves
• putty knife
• water hose
• roll of all-weather plumbing tape
• scissors

Sand And Clean The Water Line's Exterior

Turn off the valve that is attached to the water supply. Move a hand sander or electric sander firmly back and forth over the waterline's exterior to remove rust or hardened residue. Once the waterline has a smooth surface, remove any visible stains with all-purpose cleaner and a lint-free cloth. Wipe the waterline's exterior with another lint-free cloth. A clean waterline will help the waterproof putty stick to its exterior in the following step.

Add A Layer Of Putty Over The Crack

Remove a small amount of waterproof putty from its container with a spoon. Flatten the putty with glove-covered fingers until it is thin and an even thickness throughout. Cover the crack on the waterline with putty. Smooth out the edges of the putty with a putty knife. Wait for the putty to harden. This may take a couple hours. You can test the hardness of the putty by touching its surface with your fingertips. 

Apply Plumbing Tape To The Patched Area

Moisten a roll of all-weather plumbing tape by spraying water on it with a water hose for several seconds. Locate the end of the plumbing tape and apply it over one end of the patched portion of the waterline. Then evenly apply a couple layers of tape across the patched section. Cut the end of the tape once you have finished and press the newly applied tape against the waterline's surface with your fingertips to help it adhere. 

Wait for the tape to dry. This could take a few hours. Once this occurs, turn on the water supply to make sure that the patch job that you completed was successful. Use the faucets inside of your home as you normally do, but set up an appointment with a plumber as soon as you can in order to have the damaged waterline replaced or permanently repaired.