Galvanized steel piping was once considered the be-all-and-end-all in plumbing. Galvanized steel piping stood the test of time—or so it seemed, until the years passed and plumbers found out this was not the case. Galvanization, coating the pipes with a layer of zinc, was meant to delay corrosion as water could not reach the metal of the pipe. But eventually, the lining of the pipes flaked away, leading to poor water taste and drastic corrosion of pipes.
Copper piping, which many homes have today, does not run into this type of issue. Small pinhole leaks are common, but a plumber can seal the hole so that you can continue to delay replacing your pipes until they live out their expected lifespans (hopefully around 50-70 years). So how do our plumbers take care of a pinhole leak?
Temporary Solutions
There are some things a plumber can do to get the situation under control in the short term. A pinhole leak can cause major water damage. A plumber usually has hose clamps on hand. These tighten around the source of the leak and buy you some time before you have to make a permanent repair.
Lasting Solutions
In the long-term, you will need a solution that keeps the leak away for good. There are two ways to do this: with a compression fitting or with soldering.
First, a plumber will use a hacksaw or a pipe blade to cut through the portion of piping affected. Then, they may insert a compression fitting in the area between the pipes, which effectively rejoins the two parts of the pipe. The other method, soldering, involves inserting a new pipe fitting and soldering it to the existing pipe. Flux bonds the pipe together as the solder seals it in place.
Call Ace Pelizon Plumbing today for pipe services in West Covina, CA. World class service is just around the corner!
