Hi all,

I have a copper water pipe behind a drywall ceiling. Turns out that when
the ceiling was installed a drywall screw punctured the pipe. Many years
passed until the screw rusted enough and it started dripping, causing a
stain on the drywall ceiling. I listened to the recommendation of a guy on
the HD floor and patched it with a metal epoxy putty. That held tight for
a few years, now the stain is back.

Is there a simple way to patch this by cutting out the bad spot and using
pressure fittings or something similar? I don't want to try soldering in
that confined space. Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Larry

GoHabsGo wrote:

Is there a simple way to patch this by cutting out the bad spot and using
pressure fittings or something similar? I don't want to try soldering in
that confined space. Any suggestions?

You're looking for a compression repair coupling.

http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/know...3178-2,00.html

Chris

On Tue, 20 Feb 2007 12:50:31 -0600, Chris Friesen
wrote:

GoHabsGo wrote:

Is there a simple way to patch this by cutting out the bad spot and using
pressure fittings or something similar? I don't want to try soldering in
that confined space. Any suggestions?

You're looking for a compression repair coupling.

http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/know...3178-2,00.html

Chris


Hijacking this thread, and wanted to say THANKS! I run accross home
owners who have problems, but don't want to create more try to fix
them. This is good information.

tom

GoHabsGo wrote:
Hi all,

I have a copper water pipe behind a drywall ceiling. Turns out that when
the ceiling was installed a drywall screw punctured the pipe. Many years
passed until the screw rusted enough and it started dripping, causing a
stain on the drywall ceiling. I listened to the recommendation of a guy on
the HD floor and patched it with a metal epoxy putty. That held tight for
a few years, now the stain is back.

Is there a simple way to patch this by cutting out the bad spot and using
pressure fittings or something similar? I don't want to try soldering in
that confined space. Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Larry

If the hole is just a small one created by the dry wall screw, and if
there is room, there is a clamp on device sold at Home Depot that clamps
over the hole and seals the hole with neoprene. You might look into it.

Ken wrote:

GoHabsGo wrote:

Hi all,

I have a copper water pipe behind a drywall ceiling. Turns out that
when the ceiling was installed a drywall screw punctured the pipe.
Many years passed until the screw rusted enough and it started
dripping, causing a stain on the drywall ceiling. I listened to the
recommendation of a guy on the HD floor and patched it with a metal
epoxy putty. That held tight for a few years, now the stain is back.
Is there a simple way to patch this by cutting out the bad spot and
using pressure fittings or something similar? I don't want to try
soldering in that confined space. Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Larry


If the hole is just a small one created by the dry wall screw, and
if there is room, there is a clamp on device sold at Home Depot that
clamps over the hole and seals the hole with neoprene. You might look
into it.


A screw type hose clamp and a bit of rubber will do it as well if you
can't find a "tailor made" one.

Jeff

--
Jeffry Wisnia
(W1BSV + Brass Rat '57 EE)
The speed of light is 1.8*10^12 furlongs per fortnight.

"GoHabsGo" wrote in message
Is there a simple way to patch this by cutting out the bad spot and using
pressure fittings or something similar? I don't want to try soldering in
that confined space. Any suggestions?

If you don't want to solder it, get someone that can. Given the location,
there is no 100% perfect way to repair a tube in that location that you can
be completely comfortable with. Cut the tubing right at the hole, sweat in
a coupling and be done and be confident it will not leak like a patch could
while you are away on vacation.

"GoHabsGo" wrote in message
. 244.170...
Hi all,

I have a copper water pipe behind a drywall ceiling. Turns out that when
the ceiling was installed a drywall screw punctured the pipe. Many years
passed until the screw rusted enough and it started dripping, causing a
stain on the drywall ceiling. I listened to the recommendation of a guy
on
the HD floor and patched it with a metal epoxy putty. That held tight for
a few years, now the stain is back.

Is there a simple way to patch this by cutting out the bad spot and using
pressure fittings or something similar? I don't want to try soldering in
that confined space. Any suggestions?

My experience is limited to three joints, but I used epoxy for copper three
years ago and they haven't leaked yet. I did it because there wasn't room
for a torch. When I tried to use the stuff last year it had gone bad; so
shelf life is a big strike against it.

On Feb 20, 12:43 pm, GoHabsGo wrote:
Hi all,

I have a copper water pipe behind a drywall ceiling. Turns out that when
the ceiling was installed a drywall screw punctured the pipe. Many years
passed until the screw rusted enough and it started dripping, causing a
stain on the drywall ceiling. I listened to the recommendation of a guy on
the HD floor and patched it with a metal epoxy putty. That held tight for
a few years, now the stain is back.

Is there a simple way to patch this by cutting out the bad spot and using
pressure fittings or something similar? I don't want to try soldering in
that confined space. Any suggestions?

Two alternatives besides the other suggestions so far...

There are repair couplings which are same as a standard coupling
except don't have the ridge on the inside so you can cut the pipe,
slide it on, then slide it back over the cut area where there might
not be room/flexibility to get a standard coupling in.

Second, for a very tiny pinhole such as this, simply soldering the
hole itself will be a permanent repair as well.

As for the torch in the area, use a piece of tin behind the pipe as a
heat shield to keep the direct flame from contact w/ whatever and
they'll be no problem.

On 20 Feb 2007 13:34:37 -0800, "dpb" wrote:


Two alternatives besides the other suggestions so far...

There are repair couplings which are same as a standard coupling
except don't have the ridge on the inside so you can cut the pipe,

Some don't have a ridge but have a dimple, pretty small and just at
one point, so make sure you get one with neither.

I wish I had known they had these when I did my water heater.

slide it on, then slide it back over the cut area where there might
not be room/flexibility to get a standard coupling in.

Second, for a very tiny pinhole such as this, simply soldering the
hole itself will be a permanent repair as well.

As for the torch in the area, use a piece of tin behind the pipe as a
heat shield to keep the direct flame from contact w/ whatever and
they'll be no problem.

No disagreement.

I keep one of those clamp on things here for an emergency. TWo
pieces, a small rubber sheet on at least one of the pieces, clamp
together around the pipe with 2 (or 4?) screws, or a hook on one side
and two screws on the other. Haven't needed it yet, but I make a lot
of istakes.

On Feb 20, 2:13 pm, Ken wrote:
GoHabsGo wrote:
Hi all,

I have a copper water pipe behind a drywall ceiling. Turns out that when
the ceiling was installed a drywall screw punctured the pipe. Many years
passed until the screw rusted enough and it started dripping, causing a
stain on the drywall ceiling. I listened to the recommendation of a guy on
the HD floor and patched it with a metal epoxy putty. That held tight for
a few years, now the stain is back.

Is there a simple way to patch this by cutting out the bad spot and using
pressure fittings or something similar? I don't want to try soldering in
that confined space. Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Larry

If the hole is just a small one created by the dry wall screw, and if
there is room, there is a clamp on device sold at Home Depot that clamps
over the hole and seals the hole with neoprene. You might look into it.

The official name is "pipe repair clamp" which you can google. Here
is an example: http://www.doityourself.com/invt/4010872

I have one of these on a pipe in my basement. When we bought the
house 12 years ago I remember seeing that and thinking, "boy, what a
shoddy repair, I better get to that pretty soon." It's been fine. --
H

"Edwin Pawlowski" wrote in message

"GoHabsGo" wrote in message
Is there a simple way to patch this by cutting out the bad spot and using
pressure fittings or something similar? I don't want to try soldering in
that confined space. Any suggestions?

If you don't want to solder it, get someone that can. Given the location,
there is no 100% perfect way to repair a tube in that location that you
can be completely comfortable with. Cut the tubing right at the hole,
sweat in a coupling and be done and be confident it will not leak like a
patch could while you are away on vacation.


Agreed. Why keep looking and wondering.....

"GoHabsGo" wrote in message
. 244.170...
Hi all,

I have a copper water pipe behind a drywall ceiling. Turns out that when
the ceiling was installed a drywall screw punctured the pipe. Many years
passed until the screw rusted enough and it started dripping, causing a
stain on the drywall ceiling. I listened to the recommendation of a guy
on
the HD floor and patched it with a metal epoxy putty. That held tight for
a few years, now the stain is back.

Is there a simple way to patch this by cutting out the bad spot and using
pressure fittings or something similar? I don't want to try soldering in
that confined space. Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Larry

Sounds like your getting a lot of half ass advice. It sounds like the pipe
is going threw a ceiling joist or attached to the side. The best bet would
be to cut a section out use two slip couplings. If the pipe is running threw
the joist you could cut out a 16" piece so the ends are in the open for
soldering. If it's attached to the side you might have to pull it down
enough to clear the joist or pry it away. It hard to tell without seeing it.
If your not comfortable with solider it If you have it exposed you might
call a plumber to solider it. There's a lot of other tricks, spray the wood
down with a spray bottle, sheet metal shield. You don't want to do this
again so do it right.

"jackson" wrote in message
. ..

"Edwin Pawlowski" wrote in message

"GoHabsGo" wrote in message
Is there a simple way to patch this by cutting out the bad spot and
using
pressure fittings or something similar? I don't want to try soldering
in
that confined space. Any suggestions?

If you don't want to solder it, get someone that can. Given the
location, there is no 100% perfect way to repair a tube in that location
that you can be completely comfortable with. Cut the tubing right at the
hole, sweat in a coupling and be done and be confident it will not leak
like a patch could while you are away on vacation.


Agreed. Why keep looking and wondering.....



But, then, the guy has spent years and years and spots and spots. Why fix
it right now?

Steve ;-)

Compression fittings (have to cut out some bad pipe) and the
rubber patch can work for awhile.

Something I did awhile back was to cut a coupler length wise.
Clean, flux, and wrap the coupler around the pipe. Heat gently,
and flow in some solder. Worked for me, the once I tried it.

Put some aluminum foil behind the fitting, for a heat shield.
--

Christopher A. Young
You can't shout down a troll.
You have to starve them.
..

"GoHabsGo" wrote in message
. 244.170...
: Hi all,
:
: I have a copper water pipe behind a drywall ceiling. Turns out
that when
: the ceiling was installed a drywall screw punctured the pipe.
Many years
: passed until the screw rusted enough and it started dripping,
causing a
: stain on the drywall ceiling. I listened to the recommendation
of a guy on
: the HD floor and patched it with a metal epoxy putty. That
held tight for
: a few years, now the stain is back.
:
: Is there a simple way to patch this by cutting out the bad spot
and using
: pressure fittings or something similar? I don't want to try
soldering in
: that confined space. Any suggestions?
:
: Thanks,
:
: Larry