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Common Pipes & Fittings Problems

Common pipes & fittings problems and how to diagnose and fix them.

All Pipes & Fittings Problems 4

Pinhole Leaks in Copper

high Pro

Tiny holes from the inside out due to pitting corrosion. Start as small drips or green stains. One is a repair. Multiple are a warning that the entire system may be deteriorating.

hard 1 - 4 hours per repair $150 - $400 per repair; $2,000 - $10,000+ for whole-house repipe
Tools: Pipe repair clamp (for emergency temporary repair) Self-fusing silicone tape (for temporary seal) Pipe cutter (for cutting out damaged section) Emery cloth or sandpaper (for cleaning pipe ends) Propane torch, flux, and lead-free solder (for permanent solder repair) Push-fit (SharkBite) couplings (for solderless permanent repair) Deburring tool (essential for clean cuts) Fire shield cloth and fire extinguisher (for soldering near combustibles)

Water Hammer

medium

Loud banging when a valve closes suddenly. Shockwave can damage pipes, loosen fittings, and stress connections. Fix: hammer arrestors, recharge air chambers, or reduce pressure.

moderate 30 minutes - 1 hour $10 - $30 for arrestors; $150 - $350 with a plumber
Tools: Water hammer arrestors (ASSE 1010 rated, sized to your pipe) Adjustable wrench Water pressure gauge Pipe straps or cushioned clamps Pipe insulation foam (for dampening vibration at wall penetrations) Plumber's tape

Frozen Pipes

critical

Water freezing inside a pipe generates over 2,000 PSI -- enough to split copper, PEX, or PVC. Pipes in exterior walls, crawl spaces, attics, and garages are most vulnerable. Quick thawing before a burst saves thousands.

moderate 1 - 4 hours to thaw; longer if burst $0 - $50 DIY thawing; $500 - $2,000+ for burst pipe repair
Tools: Hair dryer (safest thawing tool) Portable space heater or heat lamp Infrared thermometer (to locate freeze points in walls) Pipe insulation foam sleeves Towels (for hot water wrap method) Pipe repair clamp or SharkBite coupling (for emergency burst repair) Bucket and wet/dry vacuum (for water cleanup) Heat trace cable and thermostat (for permanent prevention)

High Water Bill

medium

Unexplained spike in your water bill usually means a hidden leak, running toilet, or dripping fixture. Finding and fixing it saves hundreds per year.

easy 30 minutes - 2 hours to diagnose $0 - $50 for common fixes; $200 - $500 with a plumber for hidden leaks
Tools: Food coloring (for toilet dye test) Flashlight (for under-sink and crawl space inspection) Notepad (to record meter readings) Screwdriver or meter key (to open the meter box lid)