If one of the copper water supply lines in your home has developed a pinhole leak, then there are a few things you can do to repair it. Whether you want to simply make a quick temporary repair while you wait for a plumber to be available or if you have the skills to cut out and replace the damaged section of pipe yourself, these tips will make things easier for you:
Tip: Temporarily Seal the Leak with Either Pipe Sealant or a Repair Clamp
Though you will eventually need to make a more permanent repair to any copper pipe that's leaking, you do have a couple quick and easy options you can try for the short-term. One such option is an adhesive sealant designed to seal copper pipe leaks. These two-part epoxy sealants aren't negatively affected by water and will sometimes effectively seal pinholes in copper pipes for a short period of time while you wait for a more permanent solution.
Since adhesive sealants are prone to failure, sometimes a better option is to purchase a repair clamp at your local hardware store. These pipe fittings are metal on the outside and have a foam inner core. Repair clamps are hinged and you simply wrap one around the area that is leaking and then clamp it down.
Tip: Properly Cut and Prepare Pipes for the Best Results
When cutting copper pipe, you really must use a specially designed auto-cut tool. While homeowners sometimes use their reciprocating saw or another tool, the proper tool to avoid too much vibration on the home's plumbing is a copper pipe auto-cut tool. Clamp down the tool and twist it to cut through the pipe.
Once you have cut out the damaged pipe and a section to replace it, then use a deburring tool to smooth out any burrs before putting things together.
Tip: Use Push-to-Connect Couplers for Solder-Free Repairs
If you don't have any soldering experience, you can easily repair a copper pipe using push-to-connect couplers that negate the necessity of soldering. These couplers fit over each end of the repaired pipe and connect into the existing plumbing by tightening down the connections to make them water-tight.
Tip: Use Type L Replacement Pipe Because It's Thicker and Less Prone to Developing Future Pinhole Leaks
Finally, when you are buying replacement pipe at the home improvement center, make sure you select the Type L copper pipe for this type of repair. It is a thicker gauge of copper and much less likely to develop future leaks.
If you're having issues with your copper pipes and aren't sure how to fix it yourself, get plumbing assistance by calling your local plumber today.