When people talk about any threat to their plumbing system, they are usually thinking about leaks. Leaks can do severe damage to a plumbing system.
The biggest problem with leaks is that sometimes they are very small, and hard to detect.
If you are wary about leaks, this article is for you. Here we will talk about how you can detect pinhole leaks in faucets, and how you can fix them.
But the first question is…
What Causes Pinhole Leaks?
A pinhole spill is a consequence of what is known as “pitted corrosion”, where a pipe starts to erode from the outside. It only influences copper pipes, which are ordinarily impervious to any remaining sorts of corrosion.
Pinhole spills are generally tiny – simply big enough to allow a periodic trickle of water. However, that sluggish dribble can cause a considerable amount of harm whenever left alone for quite some time.
Nobody truly knows for specific why copper pipes tend to corrode in such an uncommon manner.
Many people assume it to be something in the air that damages the pipet. Up to this point, be that as it may, the EPA has been not able to indisputably distinguish the reason for pinhole spills.
How To Fix Faucet Pinhole Leak?
Now that you know what pinhole leaks are and why they come up, let us look at how you can fix pinhole leaks in the faucet.
- Fix Using Epoxy Putty
Since pinhole leaks are very small, the easiest way to repair them is using epoxy putty.
The most efficient tool is an epoxy putty stick. This tool combines resin and hardeners.
In order to use an epoxy putty stick, you have to first tear off the amount of putty required and then knead it by hand.
Soon after that, the putty will turn to a uniform color, at which point you should be pushing it into the pinhole.
After some time, it will cure and harden, filling and then sealing the pinhole. These repairs are long-lasting but they are not permanent.
- Using Pipe Repair Tape
One of the downsides of epoxy putty is that it will struggle to create a bond with the pipes once the water pressure cannot be turned off. The higher the pressure, the less is the chance of a successful repair.
When this happens, a good alternative is waterproof pipe repair tape. These tapes are made from silicone that is self-fusing. When it is stretched and wrapped around a pinhole, it will form a solid rubber band over the area where the leak is coming from.
Like the epoxy putty, waterproof repair tapes can be reinforced with a pipe repair bandage using an added layer of protection.
- Using a Pipe Repair Clamp
With pipe repair clamps, you will get another very straightforward method of fixing your pinhole leak. This tool consists of a metal sleeve with a flexible pad of rubber inside.
Sometimes, you will see a small hole in your bathroom faucet. You can use the pipe repair clamp to fix this issue. Initially, place the clamp over the portion of the pipe that requires repair.
Next, tighten the screws, and you will see that it bolts down and covers the entire pipe. The leak has been sealed.
There are certain limitations to this tool as well, such as these can only be used on straight section repairs. If the leak is in some other place, the covering or repair will not be as effective.
- Replace the Pitted Pipes
Sometimes, pinhole leaks can be quite a frequent occurrence. Regular leaks can be a sign of extensive pitted corrosion that has been present in your pipes for a long time.
If this is the case for you, it is better for you to replace damaged sections of the faucet as the high levels of corrosion can lead to much more serious issues than just pinholes.
The older your pipes, the more likely is that they need replacing. Many people follow this method for sealing a pinhole leak.
- Hiring Plumbers
Most of the suggestions we have given you here are do-it-yourself methods.
But sometimes, you might be inexperienced in dealing with such issues, and this inexperience can cost you more in the process.
If you do not have adequate prior knowledge about these leaks, it is best to hire plumbers.
Even though hiring plumbers will cost you some money, it is better than causing more damage.
Plumbers themselves know a variety of ways through which they fix these leaks. They will also have the right tools that can be used to detect the location of the leaks.
Locating the leak is often times the most difficult part, but advanced tools used by plumbers can come in really handy in such circumstances.
Methods used by plumbers are often very intricate and developed. These techniques might be able to fix issues that are might not be possible for a novice.
About Pinhole Leak In Bathroom Faucet
A pinhole leak is a very tiny hole in the faucet. They only let out small droplets of water instead of torrents, or streams. Pinhole leaks are called as such because of their size.
They are usually not bigger than the head of a pin. But that’s enough to ruin your bathroom faucet.
Because of their size, they are very hard to detect. This makes their presence quite serious. Even though the droplets are small, over time they lead to a huge amount of loss in water.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Sudden drops in water pressure in your faucet, shower, or anywhere using running water is a clear indication of pinhole leaks.
Not just a loss of water pressure, a pinhole leak can cause severe damage to the surrounding area.
When hard water runs through your copper pipes plumbing system, a higher amount of dissolved calcium and magnesium can contribute to such pinhole leaks.
Final Words
Pinhole Leaks are quite common. If you are facing leaks in your faucet, don’t think that the damage is not repairable.
If you go through the article properly, you will be able to fix pinhole leaks in faucets without much trouble. Properly identify and assess the issue before making a decision on which method you ought to use to fix the problem.
As there are various methods, proper identification is pivotal. We hope this article has been of help to you.
