# Plumbing issue with pinhole drip from copper pipe
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbing-issue-with-pinhole-drip-from-copper-pipe/986231
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Tags:** tools-electric-diy
**Created:** [June 28, 2023, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbing-issue-with-pinhole-drip-from-copper-pipe/986231 "2023-06-28T13:36:22Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)
#### Post date: [June 28, 2023, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbing-issue-with-pinhole-drip-from-copper-pipe/986231/1 "2023-06-28T13:36:22Z")
My hot water line to the kitchen & deep sink has a pin hole leak in a longish run in my basement shop. I usually ask my BIL these questions but he is literally on his way to surgery. He is a retired plumber.
It is a very slow leak but seems a bit worse than it was 4 months ago.
I know one way to fix it is to cut out the bad section and sweat in a replacement with 2 couplings. But I’m hoping there is a modern simpler fix. I don’t trust my ability to sweat pipes anymore being far out of practice and never great at it.
I’m thinking some of the **Push to Connect fittings** might work well. They are rated for hot water lines.
- I was thinking a [12" Push to connect flex hose](https://www.lowes.com/pd/SharkBite-1-2-in-Push-to-Connect-x-Push-to-Connect-dia-Repair-Hose-Push-Fitting/1000182561) would be easy and ensure I’m replacing the bad section.
- Is it correct that a 5/8" Outer Diameter is typically a 1/2" Pipe?
- Is there an easier fix for a pinhole weep? (You know outside of a bucket)
Thanks all,
Jim
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### Author:  [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)
#### Post date: [June 28, 2023, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbing-issue-with-pinhole-drip-from-copper-pipe/986231/2 "2023-06-28T14:05:20Z")
[Flex Seal tape](https://flexsealproducts.com/blogs/product-resources/is-flex-tape-a-water-tape#:~:text=Flex%20Tape%20provides%20quick%2C%20easy,of%20pipes%20and%20plumbing%20systems.). I’ve used it and it holds like a MF’er. Don’t try to remove later, becasue it doesn’t come off easily.
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### Author:  [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)
#### Post date: [June 28, 2023, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbing-issue-with-pinhole-drip-from-copper-pipe/986231/3 "2023-06-28T14:06:10Z")
Long term or as a temp fix? Is it rated for hot water lines?
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### Author:  [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)
#### Post date: [June 28, 2023, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbing-issue-with-pinhole-drip-from-copper-pipe/986231/4 "2023-06-28T14:07:53Z")
Would a push to connect valve work where you could go from that to the faucet via a flex hose?
Also is the pin hole near and downstream of a sweated joint? If so that is most likely the cause of the pin hole (incorrectly sweated), if not then the pipe itself may be failing ad
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### Author:  [@tofor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tofor)
#### Post date: [June 28, 2023, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbing-issue-with-pinhole-drip-from-copper-pipe/986231/5 "2023-06-28T14:08:33Z")
Shark Bit push-to-connect fittings are _really easy_. You do need to be sure that you cut the pipe straight across, and properly shape the end of the pipe with something like this:
> **[SharkBite Safe Seal Depth and Pipe Deburring Tool U702A - The Home Depot](https://www.homedepot.com/p/SharkBite-Safe-Seal-Depth-and-Pipe-Deburring-Tool-U702A/100638148)**
>
> The SharkBite Safe Seal Tool is a pipe deburring and depth setting tool designed for use with Copper, PEX, or CPVC Pipe. The tool will accurately mark depth and deburr the outside of the pipe to ensure
But you probably want a split coupling, not flex pipe:
> **[Amazon.com: SharkBite 1/2 Inch Slip Coupling, Push to Connect Brass Plumbing...](https://www.amazon.com/SharkBite-U3008LFA-Slip-Coupling-2-Inch/dp/B002UPJ0EU)**
>
> Product Description Simplify your plumbing projects with the SharkBite push-to-connect brass slip couplings. Composed of high-quality forged DZR brass, this full-flow fitting is the most efficient way to repair a burst pipe or leak. This...
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### Author:  [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)
#### Post date: [June 28, 2023, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbing-issue-with-pinhole-drip-from-copper-pipe/986231/6 "2023-06-28T14:10:23Z")
> [@kanicbird](#):
>
> Would a push to connect valve work where you could go from that to the faucet via a flex hose?
I’m not sure I follow. The pinhole is in something like a 6’ stretch of 1/2" pipe. Nowhere near a valve.
> [@kanicbird](#):
>
> Also is the pin hole near and downstream of a sweated joint?
The pin hole isn’t near a sweated joint, but there is some odd discoloration not far from the pin hole. That is why I was thinking about removing a full 12" of old pipe.
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### Author:  [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)
#### Post date: [June 28, 2023, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbing-issue-with-pinhole-drip-from-copper-pipe/986231/7 "2023-06-28T14:10:44Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#):
>
> Long term or as a temp fix? Is it rated for hot water lines?
Yes it does, your hot water isn’t as hot as you think compared to the Flex Seal adhesive effective range. If nothing else it will get you by until you have time to decide on a more permanant fix or your BIL gets better.
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### Author:  [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)
#### Post date: [June 28, 2023, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbing-issue-with-pinhole-drip-from-copper-pipe/986231/8 "2023-06-28T14:12:03Z")
Knowing your hobbies.
Got any _Green Stuff_ or other epoxy putty?
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### Author:  [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)
#### Post date: [June 28, 2023, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbing-issue-with-pinhole-drip-from-copper-pipe/986231/9 "2023-06-28T14:15:04Z")
> [@tofor](#):
>
> But you probably want a split coupling, not flex pipe:
Out of curiosity, how come? Is the flex just generally less safe or some other factor? I’m leaning heavily towards the Shark Bit, but just doing some due diligence with the questions.
> [@crowmanyclouds](#):
>
> Got any _Green Stuff_ or other epoxy putty?
I don’t actually. Would it work on a pressured copper pipe?
I do have some silicon tape that works well on hoses. That was going to be my temp fix. But I don’t want that to be my permanent fix.
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### Author:  [@Keith1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keith1)
#### Post date: [June 28, 2023, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbing-issue-with-pinhole-drip-from-copper-pipe/986231/10 "2023-06-28T14:16:17Z")
Don’t use Shark Bite. At some point it will fail = flood.
Best to fix properly with solder.
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### Author:  [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)
#### Post date: [June 28, 2023, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbing-issue-with-pinhole-drip-from-copper-pipe/986231/11 "2023-06-28T14:19:07Z")
Is there anything that supports that a Shark Bite connection will fail?
I’ve used one so far in the house to add a hose bib to the back of the house.
When I researched then, it appeared they were pretty safe as long as secured.
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### Author:  [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)
#### Post date: [June 28, 2023, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbing-issue-with-pinhole-drip-from-copper-pipe/986231/12 "2023-06-28T14:23:46Z")
You are handier than I. I would have asked the plumber doing the kitchen work to fix it. 😉
I know little about plumbing, but I’ve read people griping about Shark Bite joints failing on some message board within the past year.
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### Author:  [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)
#### Post date: [June 28, 2023, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbing-issue-with-pinhole-drip-from-copper-pipe/986231/13 "2023-06-28T14:27:51Z")
I understand that if you don’t take care in installing and secure the pipes to minimize vibration that it can be a problem. But what I read was they’re fine if the pipe ends are clean and deburred and the you secure around the fitting.
Part of why I’m researching though. A Push to Connect fitting is so much cheaper than a plumber and I have far less confidence in my pipe sweating. Especially in the rafters of my basement.
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### Author:  [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)
#### Post date: [June 28, 2023, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbing-issue-with-pinhole-drip-from-copper-pipe/986231/14 "2023-06-28T14:28:14Z")
> [@tofor](#):
>
> Shark Bit push-to-connect fittings are _really easy_.
I’ve used them in an emergency, then eventually replaced them. Plumbers HATE them.
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### Author:  [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)
#### Post date: [June 28, 2023, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbing-issue-with-pinhole-drip-from-copper-pipe/986231/15 "2023-06-28T14:39:48Z")
I had a hot water line in my attic burst due to a lengthy stretch of sub-freezing weather back in 2009 (long story about how the pipe came to be exposed to the cold with which I won’t bore you). Repaired with a Shark Bite. Still doing fine after all these years.
I had a plumber out to deal with a different issue a couple years ago and asked him if the Shark Bite section should be replaced. He said it was fine as it was, so I haven’t worried about it since.
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### Author:  [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)
#### Post date: [June 28, 2023, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbing-issue-with-pinhole-drip-from-copper-pipe/986231/16 "2023-06-28T14:51:29Z")
If the hole is small enough, could you use silver solder to patch it?
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### Author:  [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)
#### Post date: [June 28, 2023, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbing-issue-with-pinhole-drip-from-copper-pipe/986231/17 "2023-06-28T14:54:11Z")
Click to expand, pin hole is from top of pipe.
[](https://postimg.cc/ns09RX8k)
Temporary tape as a minor safety.
[](https://postimg.cc/TyRWJrs1)
* * *
* * *
> [@Saint\_Cad](#):
>
> If the hole is small enough, could you use silver solder to patch it?
I don’t know, that was along the lines of a question I had for my BIL. Is silver solder different from solder? I know the pipe could be brazed, but I wasn’t sure if solder was a strong enough fix.
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### Author:  [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)
#### Post date: [June 28, 2023, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbing-issue-with-pinhole-drip-from-copper-pipe/986231/18 "2023-06-28T14:55:32Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#):
>
> Is silver solder different from solder?
Silver solder has no lead so it is used on water pipes.
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### Author:  [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)
#### Post date: [June 28, 2023, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbing-issue-with-pinhole-drip-from-copper-pipe/986231/19 "2023-06-28T14:59:37Z")
So silver = lead free. That I have. I never heard it called silver solder before.
I haven’t used lead solder since I was soldering wires.
I’m not sure that is a safe fix, solder is good in joints or for drain pipes but I would be nervous about a pipe under pressure and fairly heavy use. Maybe I’m being paranoid. That is a level of soldering I would feel comfortable doing.
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### Author:  [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)
#### Post date: [June 28, 2023, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbing-issue-with-pinhole-drip-from-copper-pipe/986231/20 "2023-06-28T15:03:31Z")
My experience with holes in hot-water pressure lines is you’ll need to replace the whole line eventually. That pipe is being eroded from the inside and is likely thin in multiple places. Certainly fix the drip now. Then think about how many drips you’re willing to fix before replacing the whole thing makes sense.
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