Copper water pipe has been a mainstay in residential and commercial plumbing for thousands of years for many great reasons. Like any other pipe, however, it has the occasional downside or problem, such as the frustrating risk of a copper pipe leak.
If you have to deal with this problem or fear the risks to your home, here are some tips on how to fix a hole leak in a copper pipe.
What is a leak in copper pipes and why does it happen?
Leaks in copper pipes are defined as perforations in the copper pipe due to corrosion over time on the inside of the pipe. Essentially, while the leak looks like a hole on the outside, it happens because a larger portion of the pipe is corroded by the supply of water flowing through it.
After that, the significant water pressure finishes the job and starts pushing holes through the corroded metal. This is not the end state of water damage, of course – if the hole leak is left unattended, it will grow into an even bigger hole over time. The reason we call them «pinhole leaks» is that the leak is usually discovered and addressed before it grows beyond a pinhole.
How to tell if there are leaks in the pipes of your house?
Plumbing problems are among the most common problems in our homes’ plumbing systems, but how can you tell them apart from other plumbing problems? Unfortunately, many of the symptoms of many plumbing problems overlap – low water pressurefor example, it can be caused by leaking vents, clogged pipes, blocked vents, and more.
Yet, other signs I am quite talkative. Here are the main things to look for:
- Your water bill is unreasonably high
- There is mold or mildew spots near the pipes
- You have noticed abnormally low water pressure
- There was a lot of condensation on the outside of your pipes
- There are discolorations on the pipes and they turn brown, blue or green
- You hear falling sounds
- There is water damage around or under the pipes
Even one of these signs can be enough to identify and find a hole leak. Ignoring a sign and just waiting for more to make things «more obvious» often leads to disaster as leaking vents can lead to major water damage in our homes.
So if you notice even the tiniest bit of condensation or a slight drop in water pressure, it’s time to start investigating what exactly is causing it.
Permanent methods of repairing a hole leak in a copper pipe
Finding the best permanent solution for hole leaks in copper water pipes is a must, but it can also be a bit confusing. When you read online, you will find plenty of «experts» proposing solutions that are not only not permanent, but not even effective in the short term. Worse, some of these solutions can be downright harmful as they can introduce contaminants into the drinking water supply.
So, below we will go over what actually makes it safe and permanent fix hole leaks in copper pipes and what are some temporary fixes that can save you some time.
1. Compression coupling
If you are new to DIY installations, using a compression coupling is the easiest and safest method to try yourself. Here’s a quick step-by-step:
- Locate the leak
- Mark the leak
- Turn off the water flow from the main pipe
- Drain the water pipe
- Use a pipe cutter to remove the damaged area by cutting at least half an inch from the area around the drain
- Dry the cut area with cotton cloths
- Get two retaining nuts and a pipe sleeve that is the right size for the area you cut
- Insert the first retaining nut
- Next, slide on the pipe sleeve
- Apply plumbing dope to the sleeve
- Slide the second retaining nut and tighten both firmly to press the sleeve onto the pipe
- Turn the water back on and look for leaks under the sleeve – if there are, retighten the nuts
This method is not foolproof as sometimes the leak will not be completely stopped. This can be fixed by reapplying and tightening the sleeve and retaining nut. When it works, this is a permanent and code-approved solution that’s perfect for beginners. If that doesn’t work, explore some of the other options below.
2. Bonding
Bonding is seen as the ideal type of permanent repair as it is much safer than simply tightening the sleeves onto the pipes. However, it is difficult to do even for beginners, so it is usually recommended to call a professional plumber. If you don’t want to call a plumber, here’s one you can try step by step follow:
- Locate and mark the leak area
- Turn off the water at the main pipe, drain the main pipe, cut the area around the drain and dry it properly
- Cut a section of sweat coupling replacement pipe that is at least one inch longer than the space you want to cover
- Use a pipe cutter and wire brush to smooth the rough edges of both the replacement pipe and the hole of the damaged pipe.
- Slide the sweat coupling replacement pipe over the damaged area, covering it properly on all sides
- Solder the joint by melting the solder wire on all edges of the joint
- Wait at least a few minutes for the solder to cool and test it by turning the water back on
In general, this is a more difficult and complicated method than using lock nuts, but it is also much safer. If this is your first attempt at gluing, it is advisable to only have a professional and observe them in action.
If you want to try it yourself, make sure you have someone else with you to help and provide assistance in the event of an accident. It is also wise to try soldering on a test pipe first.
3. Replace the entire pipe
Pipe replacement is usually an expensive and sometimes laborious process, depending on how long the pipe is and where it is located. If neither compression nor soldering worked, however, replacing the damaged pipe is your best bet for a safe, secure, and code-approved fix.
If you get the right pipe, install it correctly, and maintain the pipe well going forward, this should solve all your uses for decades to come.
Temporary methods of fixing a hole leak in a copper pipe
If you don’t have the right tools or the right time to immediately treat and seal the damaged section, there are a few temporary solutions you can consider for a while. Most of them are just putting a bandage on a wound, but that can be fine if you just need a few days to take the proper steps for a permanent repair.
1. Repair the clamp
Probably the most common temporary method is to use a pipe repair clamp. All you need to do here is locate, measure and mark the leak, stop and drain the water from the pipe, and choose a repair clamp that is the right size for the drain hole. Then, open the clamp, snap it over the hole and close it.
The problem here is that this is not permanent and may not even work immediately as water may continue to flow through the clamp. It’s worth a try apply it a few times, but even if it works, it won’t last forever.
2. Pipe repair tape
The repair tape is even easier to apply – all you have to do is wrap it around the damaged area and then tighten it as tight as you can. This may stop the leak for a while, but is far from a long-term solution even compared to repair clamps.
3. Fixing copper wire
Another method is to wrap a copper wire tightly over the damaged area and crimp it in place. Then, tape the wire tightly enough to cover the entire area. This is usually not good enough for holes and requires soldering, but may be good enough for a while while you wait for the plumber to arrive.
4. Epoxy putty
This is a «workaround» that we don’t really recommend if you need to treat a section of pipe that is used for potable water. That’s because epoxy putty can lead to a chemical reaction that can contaminate the water supply. If you need it for leaks, though, it can be a half-decent temporary solution until you find a permanent solution.
First, simply combine the two putty compounds while wearing protective gloves. Next, apply the mixed compound to the damaged areas of the pipe and allow it to dry and harden. After that, the pipeline should be usable for a while.
In conclusion – how to fix a hole leak in a copper pipe
Fixing a leaking pipe may seem simple in principle, but it can often frustrate homeowners and professionals alike. Unfortunately, many of the «fixes» talked about online are often only temporary at best, or downright ineffective or harmful at worst. However, there are some things you can do, such as soldering or coupling, instead of having to change your entire piping system.
