For many years, copper pipes have been the standard for plumbing due to their long lifespan and excellent reputation for dependability. But problems can still arise with even the most durable materials. Pinhole leaks cause a great deal of frustration. Ignoring these small holes can lead to bigger problems down the road. There are many low cost plumbing services in Singapore that provide excellent services in reasonable price.
https://www.plumbersingapore.org/ in one such organisation that can help you even with bigger plumbing issues. In this piece, we’ll look at what causes pinhole leaks in copper pipes, how to stop them, and what treatments are available.
What Are Pinhole Leaks?
Copper pipes can develop tiny holes called pinhole leaks, which are typically hard to notice. Their sizes might vary from a few micrometres to many millimetres. These tiny leaks can cause major problems like mold growth, higher water bills, and water damage, despite their seemingly tiny size.
Causes of Pinhole Leaks:
- Corrosion:
Pinhole leaks in copper pipes are most commonly caused by corrosion. Despite copper pipes’ inherent resistance to rust and other types of corrosion, some environmental factors can hasten their deterioration.
- Water Chemistry: The chemical structure of water has a significant impact on how long copper pipes last. Corrosion can occur in environments with high concentrations of dissolved oxygen, acidic water, or chloramines, a disinfectant used for water treatment.
- Electrolysis: Incorrect electrical grounding is a common cause of electrolysis, which happens when an electric current flows through a copper pipes. The copper may eventually corrode due to this.
- Damage from Physical Stresses:
Copper pipes can deteriorate over time due to physical stresses like fluctuations in water pressure and temperature. Metals can develop cracks and leaks as a result of thermal expansion and contraction.
- Improper Installation:
Copper pipes can develop leaks due to improper installation procedures. These activities include failing to adequately clean the pipes before soldering or utilizing materials that are not compatible with copper.
Avoiding Pinhole Weakness:
When dealing with pinhole leaks, prevention is key. If you want your copper pipes to last as long as possible, use these methods:
- Water Treatment: Copper pipe lifespan can be greatly increased by treating water to regulate pH levels and decrease corrosive components. One way to control the water chemistry is to install a water softener or a water filter for the entire house.
- Correct Installation: It is of the utmost importance to install copper pipes in the right way. This involves making sure the electrical systems are adequately grounded to prevent electrolysis, utilizing the correct materials, and cleaning the pipes appropriately before soldering.
- Preventative Maintenance: Having a licenced plumber check your pipes on a regular basis might assist find corrosion or wear issues before they worsen. Preventing minor problems from becoming major ones is possible with regular maintenance.
- Cathodic Protection: A sacrificial anode is used in this technique to avoid corrosion. Instead of the copper pipe, the anode corrodes, shielding it from harm.
Repairing Pinhole Leaks:
Quick action is required to stop additional damage from occurring in the event of a pinhole leak. Some typical approaches are as follows:
- Epoxy Lining: Coating the inside of the pipes with epoxy resin is known as epoxy lining. This has the ability to stop more corrosion and stop leaks. It may help your plumbing system last longer and is less disruptive than pipe replacement.
- Pipe Replacement: It may be required to replace the impacted portion of the pipe if the leak is quite large. In many cases, this is the surest approach to have the issue fixed properly.
- Pipe Repair Clamps: As a temporary solution, you might use pipe repair clamps to secure the leak. These clamps are a temporary fix that can allow you some time to get a permanent fix.
