Common pipe leaks in Delray Beach homes
- Pinhole leaks in copper. Tiny holes caused by corrosion from the inside of the pipe. They tend to appear in clusters, so one pinhole usually means others are forming nearby.
- Cracked CPVC. CPVC grows brittle with age and heat, especially in hot attics, and cracks at fittings when it is bumped or flexed.
- Galvanized steel. Rusts from the inside, restricts flow and leaks at threaded joints.
- Polybutylene. Gray plastic supply pipe installed from the late 1970s to the mid-1990s. The pipe and its fittings degrade in chlorinated water and fail without warning.
- PEX fittings. Crimp and clamp rings that were installed incorrectly or damaged during later work.
- Drain pipes. Loose slip joints under sinks, cracked PVC, and corroded cast iron stacks inside walls.
- Supply lines and valves. Worn braided hoses to faucets and toilets, and old shutoff valves that weep.
Signs of a leak inside a wall or ceiling
Look for brown or yellow stains, paint that bubbles or peels, drywall that feels soft, swollen baseboards, a musty smell in one room, or dripping from a ceiling light. Water near a light fixture or outlet is an electrical hazard, so switch off that circuit at the panel before doing anything else. If you cannot tell where the water is coming from, water leak detection traces it to the source.
How we repair a pipe leak
Find the source
Moisture meters and thermal imaging trace the water back to the leaking pipe or fitting.
Shut off and drain
We isolate the line and drain it so the repair can be made dry.
Open a clean access
We cut a neat, square opening sized to the repair and protect the floor and furnishings below it.
Replace the damaged section
The failed pipe or fitting is replaced with copper, CPVC or PEX to match your system, with proper transitions.
Pressure test
We restore water, test the repair under pressure and check it for weeping.
Ready to close
The opening is left clean and ready for a drywall finisher to patch.
Repair the section or replace the run?
A single leak on otherwise sound pipe is fixed by replacing a short section. Several pinholes on the same copper run, brittle CPVC, or any polybutylene usually justify replacing the whole run, or the whole system with a repipe. We show you the removed piece of pipe so you can see its condition for yourself before deciding.
Leaks in condos and multi-unit buildings
In a condominium, a leak often appears in a different unit from the one where the pipe failed. Water from an upstairs supply line or drain can travel along framing and show up two rooms away in the unit below. We trace the leak to its source, identify whose pipe it is, and document the findings for the owners and the association, whose governing documents decide who is responsible for the repair.
Pipe Leak Repair questions
What causes pinhole leaks in copper pipe?
Pinholes form from internal corrosion. Water chemistry, high flow velocity, excess solder flux left inside joints and simple age all contribute. Once a copper system starts producing pinholes, more usually follow.
Can a leaking pipe be patched?
Clamps and epoxy wraps can hold a leak for a short time, but they are temporary. A lasting repair means cutting out the damaged section and replacing it.
How large an opening will you make?
Only as large as needed to cut and join the pipe safely, which is usually a small square of drywall. Leaks inside tiled walls may need access from the other side of the wall to avoid breaking tile.
Should I turn off my water?
Yes, if the leak is active. Close the main shutoff valve, or the fixture's own shutoff if the leak is under a sink or behind a toilet. If you cannot find the main valve, our emergency plumbing line can walk you through it.