Leaky Plumbing
#1
08-20-19, 11:56 AM
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: USA
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Leaky Plumbing
I have a four-bedroom, two bath rambler. It was built in 1966. It has copper plumbing. I guess the pipes are the original. Today I inspected the pipes in the crawl space and some of them are leaking a little bit. One of them had a drop hanging down and a couple of other spots were wet. I am thinking I cannot fix them myself. Can someone tell me how to go about selecting a contractor? What are the options regarding the types of pipes? What are the pros and cons of different types? Will it be necessary to replace the pipes that go up to the shower nozzles and the fawcets? What else do I need to know about this?
#2
08-21-19, 09:58 AM
It's always best to get contractor suggestions from friends or neighbors who have had good experiences. As much as the online 'get a great contractor' tools help, they only go so far.
Hopefully, it's just 1 or 2 small leaks that can be repaired. If that's the case, have a good plumber come in and fix it. Shouldn't cost much.
If the copper piping is getting weak and showing multiple leaks, it might need either a partial or full replacement. It's rare for this to be the case, but it does happen. For a larger project like that, it's usually best to get 2 or 3 quotes. You'll also get different opinions on what needs to be fixed/replaced, and you can make your decision then.
Of course, feel free to share more details and we'd be happy to help as much as we can from here!
Hopefully, it's just 1 or 2 small leaks that can be repaired. If that's the case, have a good plumber come in and fix it. Shouldn't cost much.
If the copper piping is getting weak and showing multiple leaks, it might need either a partial or full replacement. It's rare for this to be the case, but it does happen. For a larger project like that, it's usually best to get 2 or 3 quotes. You'll also get different opinions on what needs to be fixed/replaced, and you can make your decision then.
Of course, feel free to share more details and we'd be happy to help as much as we can from here!
#3
08-21-19, 11:42 AM
Member
There are rare occasions where copper pipes react to extreme water which degrades them but copper is normally the ultimate material.
Couple leaks, might not even be the copper, might be what is attached but clearly you would want to repair!
Couple leaks, might not even be the copper, might be what is attached but clearly you would want to repair!
#4
08-21-19, 11:43 AM
Are the pipes that are wet cold water pipes? If so, you might be seeing condensation. We get a little of that in our basement once in a while when conditions are just right.
#5
08-21-19, 11:47 AM
Member
If the issue is at the joints (poor or old solder letting go/leaking), you could cut out the bad section and replace with PEX and a couple sharkbit unions. The Sharkbit bits attach nicely to both Copper and PEX. and is easy to work with
#6
08-21-19, 04:55 PM
Member
No, as stated you have COPPER plumbing, do not put in inferior PEX or especially Shark Krap, you want something that will last another 53 years!
