Pinhole Leaks and Their Causes

11/30/2015

The majority of the plumbing pipes in homes have been made of copper for the past 50 years. They became the most popular type of plumbing pipe in the 1960s because they are highly resistant to rust and other forms of corrosion. With the proper care and a bit of luck, copper plumbing pipes can last around 100 years. They don’t last forever, though. There are still a couple of different issues that can afflict plumbing pipes, one of which is pinhole leaks. Let’s take a look at pinhole leaks, what causes them, and why they’re such a threat to your plumbing.

Pitted Corrosion

Pitted corrosion is caused by chlorine particles in the air eating through the copper. It’s unique from other corrosion types in that it’s focused on a very small area. This allows it to open up leaks very quickly, although they are quite small. These are called “pinhole leaks.” They are only large enough to release one or two drops of water at a time, but that doesn’t make them less of a threat to the area surrounding them. In fact, it can often make them more dangerous.

Pinhole Leaks

Pinhole leaks are far too small to cause a loss of water pressure or any of the other common symptoms associated with plumbing problems. As such, they often go completely unnoticed by homeowners. The problem is that on a long enough timeline, even pinhole leaks can cause massive water damage to the area around them. Most homeowners only notice pinhole leaks when they notice that the area around them has rotted out. The best way to solve this problem is to have your pipes inspected on an annual basis, so that you can catch leaks early.

If you need to have your pipes inspected, call Rooter Man. We offer water leak detection services throughout Clifton Park, NY.