My ceiling is coming down because of a pin hole leak in the plumbing system. Whats the best way to seal it?
Any hardware store will sell an epoxy sealer that is specifically made for copper pipe leaks. They also carry a rubber sleeve that clamps onto the leak. (this method is much easier and more effective.) However, neither is the ideal solution. The section of pipe that has the leak should be cut out and a new length of pipe can be soldered on using repair couplings. (After the water is turned off, and the pipe drained, of course) The other thing to think about is how did the leak happen. Often, older pipes that are in homes with 'hard' water can corrode to the point of leaking. Wouldn't hurt to call a plumber.
Depending on what it is, you can either buy these bands made of rubber that have hose clamps and tighten this around the hole, stopping the leak, or you could also drain the water out of the line, cut that small piece out, and sweat a new coupling in to reconnect the part you just cut apart. If you don't know how to solder a fitting in, I'd go to the hardware store and ask about a repair coupling, I know they make them.
Cut the pipe wit a hacksaw and use a same size compression coupling or a shark bite repair fitting. Usually the pipe should be 1/2 size pipe. This is a easy, safe and code approved repair.
You will need to tear into the wall to expose the pipe. Go to the home improvement store and get a pipe repair kit. It will consist of a rubber sheet to wrap around the pipe. Then a two piece clamp will fit over the rubber piece wrapped around the pipe. Four bolts hold the two halves together. Be careful tightening the bolts. If you get them too tight, you will crush the copper pipe.
Most likely you're talking about a leak in a supply line between the shutoff valve and a sink or other fixture. If so, people don't repair these, they replace them. These are usually chromed and a little bigger than a pencil compared to a supply pipe before the shut off which will be as big as your finger. You can probably replace this yourself. If this is what's leaking, it will cost $3 to replace and any friend can help you with a couple of wrenches. These come in plastic also now and some are real flexible. I had a misty leak and traced the cause to storing bowl cleaner with the cap off, under the sink and the acidic fumes from the cleaner corroded the pipe. It was ready to leak in a lot of places.
