Anyone ever use one of the several epoxy repair puttys out there to repair pinhole leaks in copper pipe? I have an older, discontinued Delta kitchen faucet, that has 5/16 copper water supply stubs that are compression fitted to the PEX water lines under the sink. Found a couple pinhole leaks in the cold water side up close to where it attaches at the countertop. Of course the proper repair would involve taking out the faucet and all of the connections, then cut out the leaking section and resolder a repair piece in. But I can reach the area of the pipe where the leaks (2) are fairly easily and clean/prep for an epoxy type repair without having to pull everything apart. If anyone has used epoxy to repair pipe, what ones were good/bad/easy to work with/made a"permanent" repair etc.?
Copper pipe repair
- Thread starter shortyb
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Can you use the piece of rubber with hose clamp method?
Just put some solder over the holes?
Yep, pipe is being consumed by a chemical reaction with the water inside. It is now probably paper thin in areas, a situation that is just waiting to become a burst pipe catastrophe. I had several such episodes in a house in which we used to live. Do the repair correctly. If possible, can you run PEX right up to the faucet itself with a connector? If your water is acidic, I would get rid of as much copper as possible over time; that was the ultimate solution that worked for me.
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I don’t like botched repairs my only suggestion is the wrap around epoxy tape. Something like this
https://www.lowes.com/pd/J-B-WELD-1-in-FiberWeld-Pipe-Repair-Cast/5001542077
Magic stretchy tape as seen on TV
My water is surprisingly very neutral at 7-7.5 pH, so I don't know about any corrosion. I have zero corrosion/leaks in any other copper pipe, of which there isn't much anyway. The copper stub is about 12" long with the flared compression fitting at the end. I suppose I could cut off the leaking section and re-flare the copper pipe, then just get a longer section of PEX. That might be the best way to go for the permanent repair. Just gonna be a royal PITA to get everything out.
Thats one of the ones I looked at. Would definately do a wrap vs. plain putty around the pipe.
Use the Rectorseal EP200 epoxy putty. It is designed for plumbing repairs and found at Home Depot in the plumbing section, not with the regular adhesives in the paint department. Sets up rock hard in an hour.
I'm not into temporary fixes when there is potential for a leak that can cause severe damage. If this leaks while you are away the consequences could be significant. To me it is not worth the cost of a new faucet or properly repairing this one.
I think this is a good warning to replace the faucet. Before it bursts. The wear on the inside is probably worse.
Kestas
Staff member
I vote for resoldering. Sometimes you can drive a sheet metal screw into the hole to stop the leak.
Also, I agree with others that the pipe is likely suffering from corrosion on the inside and its days are limited.
Also, I agree with others that the pipe is likely suffering from corrosion on the inside and its days are limited.
I've come across internal corrosion of copper pipe before in an industrial setting but that was thin wall 15mm pipe. The small bore tails on kitchen taps are usually a thick wall copper to allow for bending without creasing. So it's curious that they have failed due to corrosion.
I used it then used a watertight wrap around it. It held for a couple of years but isn't permanent.
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My trusted plumber used this as a temp fix for a month until he could replace a large section of copper line for me recently; he stays booked up. Worked like a charm for a month.
Put a refrigerator water line tap clamp over it, if there's room for it. That's a quick fix. Better than just epoxy. It's got a rubber gasket to seal off the leak. Their made out of copper so you won't have mixed metals working against each other.
I have replaced scores of those old Delta faucets. They had a real problem with corrosion. I have even seen them spring leaks on the underside of the spout.
You absolutely do not want to try some type of temporary fix of any kind. There is corrosion going on there big time. The chance of it causing major water damage is high. No wrap, putty, epoxy or clamp is safe on these.
Buy a new faucet and if you don't want to tackle the install yourself call around to some smaller independent plumbers and get a ball park price for them to install and have them do it.
You absolutely do not want to try some type of temporary fix of any kind. There is corrosion going on there big time. The chance of it causing major water damage is high. No wrap, putty, epoxy or clamp is safe on these.
Buy a new faucet and if you don't want to tackle the install yourself call around to some smaller independent plumbers and get a ball park price for them to install and have them do it.
While your water and other copper plumbing may be just fine, Delta may have sold thousands of faucets with inferior copper feeds. I know what a pain it is to replace kitchen faucets but that's probably the most prudent move. Don't underestimate the value of a sawzall to do so.
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