What exactly is a pinhole leak?

The name is fitting. The size of the leak opening is very tiny (less than 1mm across) that forms in a copper water pipe, but that size does not correlate to the damage it can inflict. These leaks can cause mold to grow behind your walls, completely invisible to you. They can also cause vast structural damage, sometimes before they are ever found.

The water seeps slowly into insulation, wood framing subfloors and drywall and by the time you spot the leak, the damage has been happening for weeks, or even months. 

How do you get a pinhole leak?

Pinhole leaks are typically caused by corrosion eating through copper pipe from the inside out. How does that corrosion occur?

It could be your water. The Pittsburgh region gets its water from a mix of sources and the chemistry of that water, its pH level, chlorine content and mineral composition, plays a huge factor in how it interacts with your pipes. Water that’s too acidic or too alkaline accelerates corrosion inside copper lines. If you have particulates in your water supply, like sand or debris, that can also accelerate wear.

It could be pitting corrosion. Small electrochemical reactions inside the pipe eat away at the copper wall in localized spots, creating tiny pits that eventually eat all the way through.

It could be the age of your pipes. If your home was built in the 1950s through 1980s, your pipes could be reaching the end. 

It could be your water pressure. If the water is moving too fast it can erode pipe walls, especially at elbows and fittings.

Pittsburgh’s water, while safe to drink, has historically run on the harder, more mineral-rich side in certain areas, which can accelerate the kind of internal corrosion that leads to pinholes.

Add in the pressure swings that can come with hilly terrain (and we’ve got plenty of that in Pittsburgh), and you’ve got the potential for issues. 

Here are the warning signs we tell every homeowner to watch for:

• Increase in water bill 
• Water stains or discoloration on ceilings or walls
• Soft or bubbling drywall
• Musty smell 
• Low water pressure
• Sounds of dripping water 
• Rust-colored water 

If you’re noticing any of these signs, call a licensed plumber. If you ignore them, that leak can grow. The remediation cost is almost always far higher than a simple pipe repair would have been.

When you call Terry’s about a suspected leak you get:

Diagnosis. We use pressure testing and leak detection to pinpoint exactly where water is escaping. 

Targeted Repair. For isolated pinhole leaks, we can often make a precise repair, cutting out the affected section of pipe and installing a new copper or PEX replacement without a major disruption to your home.

Whole-System Assessment If we find one pinhole, we can also give you a straight assessment of your overall plumbing condition and if it’s time for repiping.

If you’re a homeowner and you suspect a pinhole leak, we’re ready to help.

Terry’s Plumbing has been Pittsburgh’s trusted family plumber since 1984. We answer our phones 24/7 and we’ll give you a straight answer every time.

Call us today at (412) 364-9114 or visit us at superterry.com.