Lead pipe leak

[mattyboy1982]

Hi everyone.

Thanks in advance for any help given.

I've noticed what I thought was condensation on my main water pipe but after closer inspection I've realised it has a tiny pinhole in it! It's hardly any water coming out but obviously I want to stop it! Is there a way to seal this hole? Or repair it? Thanks guys[/code]

 

[kirkgas]

you can buy lead-copper couplings, not sure if you can buy a lead repair coupling, so you might need 2 and a bit of copper, but they are readily available, you should get rid of lead pipe anyway, i appreciate it could be costly but worth it
leadloc is one make i know of which is good, someone else will post other good types

 

[kevplumb]

wipe it

assuming you can catch a mole

and before all you rule book merchants start its lead so soldering it aint gonna make a jot of difference

 

[mattyboy1982]

I would love to get rid of the lead pipe but it goes straight into the concrete floor and I would hate to imagine how they ran the pipe when they built this house! I can just imagine that digging up my whole kitchen floor would be such an awful job! Thanks for the advice! I was hoping there would be something quick and easy I could use!

 

[mattyboy1982]

Yeah I was under the impression that soldering it was a no no! But if I can then that would be easier!! I suppose u gotta worry about getting it too hot! Lol

 

[kirkgas]

it is a contravention of the water regs to solder a lead pipe (yes the lead is dangerous, but i think soldering can cause an electrolytic reaction (or is that when you solder lead to copper as there are different metals being joined)
cant see your house from here but you might not need to dig out old pipe just reroute a copper one above the floor, still a bigger job than you wanted i'm sure

 

[doitall]

You could wipe a patch on the lead perfectly safely, if you can get the water out.

 

[kevplumb]

You could wipe a patch on the lead perfectly safely, if you can get the water out.

and the matchstick in

 

[glasgowgas]

self tapping screw and lsx???

 

[mattyboy1982]

So what are my chances of finding a sympathetic plumber who could wipe the pipe? Or is it something I could do myself?! Any tips? Also if worst came to the worst and I had to replace the lead pipe would that mean digging trenches in the garden? Sounds like alot of work!!

 

[doitall]

You could wipe a patch on the lead perfectly safely, if you can get the water out.

and the matchstick in

Ballpein hammer

 

[kevplumb]

You could wipe a patch on the lead perfectly safely, if you can get the water out.

and the matchstick in

Ballpein hammer

christ your rougher than me

 

[doitall]

Only a little hammer to close the hole.

 

[doitall]

So what are my chances of finding a sympathetic plumber who could wipe the pipe? Or is it something I could do myself?! Any tips? Also if worst came to the worst and I had to replace the lead pipe would that mean digging trenches in the garden? Sounds like alot of work!!

Depends what you call avon.

 

[mattyboy1982]

Would the hammer trick work?! It is the tiniest hole!!