Signs you need this
- Brown rings growing on drywall under an ensuite
- Water meter turning with every tap closed
- Pinholes or green crust on copper
- Low pressure at every fixture at once
Kit on the van, and the method
- Pipe cutters for copper, PEX and galvanized
- Torch, flux and lead-free solder
- Crimp and expansion tools for PEX
- Pressure gauge and moisture meter
Before we leave: Pressure-hold the repaired run and watch the gauge before walls close.
Pipe materials we work on
| Material | Where you find it in Whitby homes | Typical failures |
|---|---|---|
| Copper | Supply lines in most homes from the 1960s to 2000s | Pinholes, worn elbows on hot lines, sweated joints |
| PEX | Newer builds and renovations | Poorly crimped fittings, rodent or nail damage |
| Galvanized steel | Some older downtown and Port Whitby houses | Rust restriction, leaks at threads |
| ABS / PVC drain | Most drains from the 1970s on | Cracked fittings, failed glue joints |
| Cast iron drain | Older stacks and under-slab mains | Rusted seams, cracked hubs |
How a good repair is made
We cut out the damaged section with enough margin to reach sound pipe, deburr and clean the ends, and join in new material. On copper that usually means sweating new fittings with lead-free solder, or using press fittings where heat near finishes is risky. On PEX we use the crimp or expansion system already in the house so fittings stay consistent. Where we join dissimilar metals we add the right transition so galvanic corrosion does not start a new leak.
Finding the reason
Every repair comes with a look at why the pipe failed. A single pinhole may be just that. Several in one run suggest water chemistry or high velocity, and we may suggest checking pressure or the water itself. A line that rubbed through needs proper support and an isolator. A drain that cracked may have been stressed by settlement.
Drywall and finish
We keep openings small, protect floors with drop sheets, and leave the area clean. We are plumbers, not drywallers, so we will tell you what patching will be needed.
Wider deterioration? Read repiping. Emergency splits are covered on burst pipe repair, and the guide to household pipe materials has more background.