# Plumbing issue with pinhole drip from copper pipe **URL:** \ **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:** 2
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2023, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbing-issue-with-pinhole-drip-from-copper-pipe/986231/21 "2023-06-28T15:03:57Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > So silver = lead free. Lead-free solder is usually tin and copper. Silver solder contains more than 45% of silver. It may either be lead-based or lead-free. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2023, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbing-issue-with-pinhole-drip-from-copper-pipe/986231/22 "2023-06-28T15:06:30Z")
How about just a clamp over a piece of rubber to block the pinhole, as a temporary fix? (I do agree that the pinhole is probably a sign that the pipe overall will need to be replaced.) ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2023, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbing-issue-with-pinhole-drip-from-copper-pipe/986231/23 "2023-06-28T15:06:31Z")
Good advice, probably, the next drip means it is time to break down and get a plumber in. > [@crowmanyclouds](#): > > Silver solder contains more than 45% of silver. That I don’t have. I imagine it is tougher to sweat? Is that accurate? Would it seal pin hole in a safe way? I know brazing can be as strong or stronger than the pipe, but the rule of thumb I recall is soldering is not. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2023, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbing-issue-with-pinhole-drip-from-copper-pipe/986231/24 "2023-06-28T15:09:28Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > I imagine it is tougher to sweat? It does have a higher melting temp, so, yeah I guess. I’ve only used it to solder/braze guards on knives and swords. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2023, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbing-issue-with-pinhole-drip-from-copper-pipe/986231/25 "2023-06-28T15:15:41Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > How about just a clamp over a piece of rubber to block the pinhole, as a temporary fix? I’d do a fernco coupling for a very quick fix. ETA: I’ve used them on abs waste lines, never copper. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2023, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbing-issue-with-pinhole-drip-from-copper-pipe/986231/26 "2023-06-28T15:18:12Z")
I had to Google that but yes, that’s the sort of thing I was thinking of. Not exactly the cheapest option but I think it’s easiest for most homeowners. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2023, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbing-issue-with-pinhole-drip-from-copper-pipe/986231/27 "2023-06-28T15:20:12Z")
I’ve used those on drains, I would definitely opt for a Shark Fitting over that for a hot water line. ---
**Author:** ![tofor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tofor/32/13727_2.png) [@tofor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tofor)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2023, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbing-issue-with-pinhole-drip-from-copper-pipe/986231/28 "2023-06-28T15:26:21Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > 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. Because a slip coupling is meant to fit in between two sections of straight pipe, but a flex hose is meant to go around corners. I mean, it would _work_, but I wouldn’t consider it the right tool for the job. > [@Keith1](#): > > Don’t use Shark Bite. At some point it will fail = flood. I hear this, but I haven’t seen any evidence to support it. > [@puzzlegal](#): > > I know little about plumbing, but I’ve read people griping about Shark Bite joints failing on some message board within the past year. I’ve read about plain copper pipe failing on a message board in the last 30 seconds. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2023, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbing-issue-with-pinhole-drip-from-copper-pipe/986231/29 "2023-06-28T15:29:17Z")
> [@tofor](#): > > Because a slip coupling is meant to fit in between two sections of straight pipe, but a flex hose is meant to go around corners. I mean, it would _work_, but I wouldn’t consider it the right tool for the job. Makes, sense. If I want to remove the other discoloration I showed in the picture, I would need a 6" fitting. I think they sell those. ---
**Author:** ![minor7flat5](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minor7flat5/32/258_2.png) [@minor7flat5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minor7flat5)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2023, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbing-issue-with-pinhole-drip-from-copper-pipe/986231/30 "2023-06-28T15:30:20Z")
Yes…silver solder is definitely meant for other things. You have to get the parts close to red hot before silver solder will flow, and you need special flux. I have used it for work on my little steam engines, and it is definitely more like brazing than soldering. I think HVAC guys use it for pressurized A/C tubing. ETA: Those SharkBite fittings seem to divide the industry. I really hope it’s just a matter of the graybeards not liking them since I have several in my home placed there by good contractors. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2023, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbing-issue-with-pinhole-drip-from-copper-pipe/986231/31 "2023-06-28T15:36:11Z")
Years ago I helped a guy with some plumbing problems to make his place habitable. He couldn’t afford a plumber. I used a fernco coupling on a waste line, replaced his toilet wax seal and supply shut off valve, and used a sharkbite fitting to repair a copper problem. A year later the guy had money, so he called a plumber to look over the repairs. He said the fernco and toilet were fine, but replaced the sharkbite fitting after muttering about “who was the idiot who did this?”, not realizing the repairs were all done by the same person. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2023, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbing-issue-with-pinhole-drip-from-copper-pipe/986231/32 "2023-06-28T15:45:13Z")
I think on Plumbers and SharkBite fittings there are 2 factors why they’re not big fans. SharkBite are great for a lot of DIY people. A lot easier than sweating in pipes. But, you do have to prep the pipes and remove the burrs. You also have ensure the cut matches up well. 1. Plumbers see the bad DIY jobs. Hell, that is a lot of a plumbers business anyway. I think this is very much a big part of it. 2. Some Plumbers hate the SharkBites as it does cut into their business. I think this is the lesser part of it, but probably a legit part of it. Though I can’t find any definitive studies that support either position. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2023, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbing-issue-with-pinhole-drip-from-copper-pipe/986231/33 "2023-06-28T16:04:28Z")
SharkBites will last a long time but I’d never use one on a hidden pipe. They will not last forever though. Probably want to replace them with copper before selling your house and some inspector checks off a ‘plumbing problem’ box. If you don’t want to sweat pipes but you think you’ll have a plumber doing more work some day a SharkBite is a great fix until the pro comes in. There’s also copper glue. The stuff is real, but not inexpensive either. I’ve used it on copper, but not on copper plumbing. It’s for use with fittings though, not a patch in a leaky pipe as far as I know. I have seen combinations of glue and a Fernco type connector to make permanent patches, probably works since it combines glue with a mechanical patch. ETA: I had a plumbing inspection for the addition on my house just a few years ago, the hot and cold water supplies to the addition were connected in with SharkBites, which are still there and not leaking. The inspector, a former plumber said nothing about them. They’ll get replaced soon by PEX with all the rest of the copper plumbing out to the meter. ---
**Author:** ![P-man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/p-man/32/3606_2.png) [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2023, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbing-issue-with-pinhole-drip-from-copper-pipe/986231/34 "2023-06-28T16:53:59Z")
I used that a couple of times in our basement, but we eventually just had the pipes replaced. ---
**Author:** ![Keith1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/6de8d8/32.png) [@Keith1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keith1)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2023, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbing-issue-with-pinhole-drip-from-copper-pipe/986231/35 "2023-06-28T17:31:37Z")
> [@tofor](#): > > I hear this, but I haven’t seen any evidence to support it. I’ve used Shark Bite, twice. Failed both times. Once after a few months. Thought maybe it was a fluke so I used it again, because I was cheap. Lasted about 2 years, then broke apart. Fortunately I caught it before water damage was done. Good thing I wasn’t on vacation. Evidence? No, I didn’t take photos. It’s not as strong as a proper fix. I won’t use again. But if you want to gamble, go for it. In my opinion, by the time you visit the hardware store (twice, if you’re like me) & fiddle through to pick the correct fittings, and then perform the task, you could have just about paid a plumber and not had to lift a finger. ---
**Author:** ![Dereknocue67](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6de8d8/32.png) [@Dereknocue67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dereknocue67)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2023, 7:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbing-issue-with-pinhole-drip-from-copper-pipe/986231/36 "2023-06-29T07:33:42Z")
Your original questions: - I was thinking a [12" Push to connect flex hose would be easy and ensure I’m replacing the bad section. **I would not use a flex fitting as they are not designed for longevity. Use the rigid fitting suggested by poster ‘tofor’** - Is it correct that a 5/8" Outer Diameter is typically a 1/2" Pipe? **Yes** - Is there an easier fix for a pinhole weep? **I have used push to connect fittings and they offer ease of installation and longevity** ---
**Author:** ![OldOlds](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a3d4f5/32.png) [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2023, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbing-issue-with-pinhole-drip-from-copper-pipe/986231/37 "2023-06-29T11:40:39Z")
I have no personal experience with Shark Bites, but there are many here that came with the house. And the plumber doing my bathroom remodel calls them “Push and Pray” ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2023, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbing-issue-with-pinhole-drip-from-copper-pipe/986231/38 "2023-06-29T11:46:33Z")
Well, the parts will be here by tonight, I’ll probably make the repair tomorrow morning. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2023, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbing-issue-with-pinhole-drip-from-copper-pipe/986231/39 "2023-06-29T11:50:17Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > I’ll probably make the repair tomorrow morning. Make sure you can shut off your water safely/effectively. I’ve heard a few tales of people shutting off their homes water using the ancient, cheap, corroded valve that hadn’t been touched since the home was built and having catastrophic failure. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2023, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbing-issue-with-pinhole-drip-from-copper-pipe/986231/40 "2023-06-29T12:02:55Z")
The hot water valve is only 2 years old and the main cutoff I used just 80 days ago and it was used many times in the past 2.5 years. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbing-issue-with-pinhole-drip-from-copper-pipe/986231.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbing-issue-with-pinhole-drip-from-copper-pipe/986231.md?page=3)