Pin Hole Plumbing Leaks In Copper Pipes

Pin hole leaks in copper pipes are not that common, but when they occur they are a costly problem. Just locating the leak can be troublesome, with the process often involving the removal of part of a wall or the ceiling. In the mean time, before the leak has been found, it can be spewing out water which is rotting wood in the frame of the house. And over time, the rot will lead to depreciation of the house, termites, mold and mildew, an increase in homeowner’s insurance premiums and visible damage.

When one leak is discovered, homeowners rightly worry that pipes may be leaking in other areas as well, or they may be more likely to develop leaks in the future. All in all, the prevalence of pin hole copper tubing leaks is trouble enough that at least two states, Maryland and Washington State, have formed task forces to study the problem.

Step one in the war against pinhole leaks is the process of defining just what they are. According to the Maryland Taskforce on pin hole leaks, the leak is a small breakthrough in the pipe from the inside out, which was proceeded by and caused by internal long standing pitting corrosion of the copper tube. There is currently a vast amount of copper plumbing tubing in homes, and the task force stated that discovering a way to recognize inner pipe corrosion before it results in a pin hole leak is an important priority.

The exact number of pin hole leaks in copper pipes is unknown. While the Maryland utility department has literally thousands of reports of leaks, they recognize that many people go straight to the plumber when they discover a hole, and as a result the utility department never hears about it.

According to the Washington DC sanitary department, most copper piping leaks develop in cold water pipes. The pipes most affected are ones traveling horizontally, and the ones that are installed in older homes, built before 1970. The report does not say why.

If you see signs of a hidden or obvious leak from a copper pipe, you should contact a plumber immediately. If you live in the Baltimore metropolitan area, contact A-1 Plumbing of Baltimore. The Baltimore plumbers of A-1 are experienced in fixing copper Pipe leaks, and will come right out to your house to help you.

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