Stopping Repeat Pinhole Leaks in Brewster Copper Plumbing

What Is Really Behind Recurring Pinholes

A single pinhole can be bad luck: a stray bit of debris, a poorly reamed pipe end from decades ago, or a spot of high turbulence. A pattern of pinholes almost always has a cause that affects the whole system. The common ones fall into a few groups.

• Low pH (acidic) water, which dissolves copper slowly over time
• High dissolved oxygen or carbon dioxide, common in some well water
• Water moving too fast through undersized pipe or a recirculating loop
• Sand or sediment from a well that scours the pipe wall
• Hot water kept at a high temperature, which speeds corrosion

Clues You Can See Around the House

Blue or green staining below faucets and around tub drains is one of the clearest signs that copper is dissolving into the water. You may also notice a faint metallic taste in the first glass of water in the morning, after it has been sitting in the pipes overnight. Some homeowners notice light-colored hair picking up a greenish tint, which is another sign of copper in the water.

In the basement, look at the pipe itself. Copper that is being attacked from the inside may look normal outside until the leak appears, but when we cut out a section, the inner wall shows pits, a rough surface or thin spots. We will show you what we find, because it tells us a lot about the rest of the system.

Village Water, Private Wells and Testing

Homes in the village itself are generally served by public water, while many properties in the surrounding countryside draw from private wells. Public water is generally treated to limit corrosion, so if you are on village water and seeing repeat pinholes, velocity, temperature or installation issues are more likely suspects. On a private well, water chemistry is the first thing to check.

A basic water test for pH, hardness and iron is inexpensive and tells you a great deal. If the water turns out to be acidic, a neutralizing filter can raise the pH and protect the plumbing going forward. We focus on the piping side and can recommend that you test first, so we do not replace pipe only to have the new copper suffer the same fate.

Fixing the Damage in the Right Order

Our approach in Brewster homes with repeat leaks usually goes like this. We come out for a free estimate, fix any active leak, and inspect the copper around it. If the water is a likely cause, we suggest testing and treatment. Then we plan the pipe work: replacing the worst sections, upsizing lines where water is moving too fast, and lowering water heater temperature if it is set unusually high.

When damage is widespread, especially on the hot side, a repipe for your Brewster home may be more sensible than repeated spot repairs. If leaks have already damaged ceilings or floors, our Brewster leak repair service can contain the water and inspect the damage, including support for insurance claims. For pipe types and our countywide approach, see the copper piping page for Stark County.