Plumbing Leak Advice?

[L00k4ward]

Originally Posted by TimAZ

We lived in a house built in 1965 and plumbed with copper. Around 2005 (40 years) we started seeing pinhole leaks at several joints and found that the water chemistry in our area eventually wrecks even copper pipes. Copper is no panacea, it has a service life like any other tubing.

Regarding this galvanized pipe, it appears to be at the end of its road, it’s rusted from the inside out and I can only imagine the color of the water coming out the other end. All of these temporary fixes are delaying the inevitable and that joint will fail completely when the rusting inside progresses far enough. There are likely other rusted spots just like this one the OP has not discovered yet.

I didn’t say copper lasts for ever especially if they use thinner M copper pipes to save money - nothing does!

My point was about possible biological contamination of the interior in PEX pipes and subsequent leaching, other issues

They don’t do studies regarding effects on human health, but this study in the link below shows that they should

https://www.sciencedirect.com/scienc...66765723000467

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25259680/

https://www.pvcworkshop.com/the-pitf...-pex-plumbing/

[tickyul]

I believe the protective-coating can be removed and the spot can be brazed to close the leak?

Caution, heating the protective-coating can produce nasty, potentially harmful smoke.....respirator
and good ventilation are a must.

[peabodyn]

If there is corrosion that is causing a leak at that joint, then there is probably corrosion elsewhere in that pipe. Bite the bullet and have it repaired.If this is a water supply pipe, you don't want to be drinking water from it.

[Rommegrot]

Originally Posted by M3 Mitch

You didn't say, but is this a cold water pipe or hot? If it's hot the thermal expansion and contraction will probably damage the epoxy over time.

I think it might be a vent pipe connection (forgive my terminology) leading eventually up to the roof(?)

I've seen no drips from the hole in many days, making me wonder if perhaps it only leaks when sufficient moisture builds up.

[M3 Mitch]

Originally Posted by Rommegrot

I think it might be a vent pipe connection (forgive my terminology) leading eventually up to the roof(?)

I've seen no drips from the hole in many days, making me wonder if perhaps it only leaks when sufficient moisture builds up.

Well, figure out what the pipe is, if it's a vent pipe you might well get away with the epoxy repair I have suggested on a more or less permanent basis. Could save some money if it's just a vent pipe.