Best Way to Fix a Dificult to Reach Pinhole Water Leak

Gerb68

I have a pinhole water leak in a copper pipe that flows to the water tank in the attic. The thing is that it is difficult to get at the pipe. I know there are various patching kits available but would one of these do the job or would it only be a temporary fix.
I would rather to a proper job by cutting the pipe and adding a straight coupler, if that's what's required. But as the pipe is hard to reach this is difficult. It is even difficult to use a hacksaw on it.

Is cutting the pipe overkill and am I best using a patching kit? If so what is the best one to use?
Should I use a clamp or is this also a temporary fix that could give problems later on? http://cdn1.bigcommerce.com/server3000/bd11e/products/162/images/469/874191_8__33926.1405387745.1280.1280.jpg?c=2
If the best option is to cut the pipe and add a straight joint Is there a cutting tool or type of hacksaw that can cut a hard-to-reach pipe.
Any help appreciated.

The pinhole leak...


The top copper pipe is difficult to cut...

Tokyo

Only way I'd be fixing that would be to put a straight joiner on it - if you can't get a hacksaw into it, can you get a hacksaw blade into it? You can also get junior hacksaws that allow the blade to project from the tip, which should get you through that pipe pretty easily...

[edit] Hacksaw blade holder:

jeepers101

Use a pipe slice to cut the pipe.

Use push on tectite fittings to replace the leaking section. Simples.

Gerb68

A pipe slice will not fully rotate because of the pipe below. The space between the pipes is 1/2 an inch.

If I use a straight joiner is there a compound or paste that I should use on the olives?

jeepers101

Gerb68 wrote: »

A pipe slice will not fully rotate because of the pipe below. The space between the pipes is 1/2 an inch.

If I use a straight joiner is there a compound or paste that I should use on the olives?

Google tectite 310. This is the fitting you want. Its easy to use in tight spaces, just pushes on. Make sure the pipe is clean and the 310 is fully pushed on and you won't have a problem.

Regarding the pipe slice, if you pull the pipe out a bit you shouldn't have any issues cutting it. You only need about an inch clearance.

Gerb68

I should be able to pull the pipe out a bit for the pipe slice.

Regarding the tectite fitting, Would I make two cuts in the pipe leaving say about a 1/2 inch gap so that I can push the tectite fitting on to one pipe enough to be able to then slide or push it back over the other pipe? Probably with a horseshoe push-fit disconnecting clip.

jeepers101

If I as doing the job I would cut out about 12" of the pipe and use two 310s and a small bit of pipe. I assume it 1/2" yeah?

You only use that horseshoe thing if you're removing the tectite fitting, which you shouldn't need to. You should have plenty of play after you cut the pipe to get the fittings on and get the whole lot connected up.

I'm not sure how advisable it would be to just cut a 1/2" section out. Someone else might chime in here but I would imagine if there's a pin hole in the pipe I'd be eager to cut out a bit either side of it to be on the safe side.

2 stroke

Consider replacing/bypassing the whole length of pipe, otherwise you will have this problem again

Gerb68

Yeah its 1/2 inch.

Having the bit of play to attach to the second pipe is what was confusing me considering I cant push the pipes into the tectite fitting so its going to have to be push tectite on to one pipe and then push it on to the second pipe.

jeepers101

Gerb68 wrote: »

Yeah its 1/2 inch.

Having the bit of play to attach to the second pipe is what was confusing me considering I cant push the pipes into the tectite fitting so its going to have to be push tectite on to one pipe and then push it on to the second pipe.

Nah you'll have loads of wiggle room. You'll be grand.

dodzy

2 stroke wrote: »

Consider replacing/bypassing the whole length of pipe, otherwise you will have this problem again

What are you smoking FFS ?

OP, it's been said several times. Pipeslice just to one side of the pinhole. See if you then have slack at either end. If there is a bit of movement, then just slice off the other side of the pinhole and get a tectite joiner. That's it.