Slab & Hidden Leaks
Copper pinhole leak repair
Pinhole leaks are tiny holes that corrode through copper pipe from the inside, often showing up as a stain, a drip or a spray inside a wall. A plumber opens the wall, cuts out the damaged section and replaces it, and checks nearby pipe. If pinholes keep appearing, a repipe usually costs less than chasing them.
- Same-day service when a plumber is available
- Serving the Phoenix metro
- Quote before work
Copper pinhole leaks are common in Phoenix-area homes, especially in copper systems several decades old. Water chemistry, velocity and installation quality all play a part.
One pinhole is a repair. A pattern of pinholes, meaning several in a few years or in different parts of the house, is a sign the whole system is thinning.
Pinhole Leak Repair at a glance
- Pipe type
- Copper supply lines
- Repair
- Cut out and replace the section
- Watch for
- A pattern of leaks, which points to a repipe
Signs you need pinhole leak repair
- A small water stain on drywall or a ceiling
- Hissing inside a wall
- Green or blue spots on exposed copper
- A musty smell in a closet or cabinet
- A repeat leak close to a previous repair
How the plumber handles it
- 1
Locate
The plumber traces the leak from moisture readings and stain patterns, opening the smallest access possible.
- 2
Repair
The pinholed section is cut out and replaced with copper or a PEX transition, not just clamped.
- 3
Inspect
Nearby pipe is checked for thinning, and you're told honestly whether more pinholes are likely.
What affects the cost
Prices depend on what the plumber finds, so the plumber quotes on site. These are the main factors:
- Wall or ceiling access
- How many leaks
- Copper vs. PEX repair section
- Water damage drying needed
What you can do, and when to stop
Safe to do yourself
- Shut the main or the fixture valve
- Clamp a repair sleeve on as a temporary fix
Call a plumber
- Treating a clamp as a permanent repair
- Closing up a wet wall without drying it, which invites mold
Frequently asked questions
How many pinhole leaks before I should repipe?
Many plumbers suggest looking at a repipe after two or three pinholes in different locations, because more usually follow.
Pinhole Leak Repair across the Valley
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