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Pinhole in 40 yr old copper

Halbert
Halbert Member Posts: 23
in Pipe Deterioration

Homeowner here. Discovered a leak in the hot water supply to the main circuit, baseboard system.

System has been in place since the mid 80's. Picture of location. Drywall was wet, and when I tore out the drywall, found the leaking pipe.

20250912_105131.jpg

The leak is close to the corner, the pipe goes through a concrete block wall, then along the foundation wall.

Suggestions to protect this area going forward? Should I be worried about the rest of the system?

Note, this is the stairway to the basement. Drywall walls over concrete. The stairs and landing were carpeted.

Comments

  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 18,575

    Is the copper in contact with the cinder block or concrete wall? If it is you might put some Armaflex pipe covering to space it away from that. Don't have to insulate the whole thing if you don't want to. just cut some pieces as stand offs. Other than that copper is pretty rugged but things happen.

    mattmia2
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 14,212

    or even a piece of vinyl tubing r heater hose that will slip over it. just needs to provide a nonconductive barrier between the 2. they used to sometimes use some strips of tarpaper wrapped around the pipe. when i poured a piece of steel pipe in to some concrete i used a piece of that collapsible discharge hose around it.

  • pecmsg
    pecmsg Member Posts: 6,490

    Agreed Just sitting on concrete is a recipe for disaster.

    Even a short piece of PVC prevents that.

    mattmia2
  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 25,680

    test for black mold also, wear a respirator working around wood that looks like that!

    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
  • DanHolohan
    DanHolohan Member, Moderator, Administrator Posts: 16,658
    edited September 16

    Are you on Long Island?

    https://heatinghelp.com/systems-help-center/a-copper-mystery/

    Retired and loving it.
  • Halbert
    Halbert Member Posts: 23

    Not on Long Island, suburban Philly.

    Thanks for the comments. I've got a short piece of 1 1/2 inch PVC pipe, hopefully it will fit in the opening in the concrete without having to break a bigger hole. If not, a piece of armaflex is a great idea.

    It's going to take weeks for things to dry out enough to redo the walls and floor.

  • pecmsg
    pecmsg Member Posts: 6,490

    you can also use copper as a sleeve. Thinner wall. Just make sure it’s clean, no rocks between the 2 metals.

  • Halbert
    Halbert Member Posts: 23

    Turns out there was an actual flat spot on the pipe where it has been rubbing against the concrete for 40 years. A piece of the foam pipe insulation will solve that for as long as I own the house. :)

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