What would the difference be between seepage vs. busted pipes? For insurance purposes?

-Jennifer

Jennifer, since I’m not an insurance expert, I’ll defer to a qualified insurance agent –Tim Eckley of Elite Insurance Coverage, who has a simple explanation:

Seepage usually occurs slowly over time and may be the result of normal wear and tear or deterioration which is not covered by most insurance policies. A broken pipe is sudden and accidental and is covered by most policies. Whether or not your insurance will cover the repair of the affected pipe(s) or the damage to property or structure is something you’ll need to find out from your insurance agent.

-Brian

The home we live in was built in 1947 and still has some cast iron sewer drain pipe in the basement.  One of the pipes looks like it has a slow leak in just one spot.  How can I clean this up and plug it?

-Janet

Janet, the answer depends on where the damage is –it it’s a leak at the joint with another pipe or if there’s a hole in the line. To repair a hole in a cast iron pipe, you can try a good two part epoxy or simply large hose clamps and a piece of rubber. If it’s a leak at the joint of a cast iron pipe, then you’ll need a plumber to come in and repair as it may be a poured lead joint. If it’s at a threaded section of the pipe, taking apart and resealing the joint may work, but after 51 years the pipe is probably in very poor shape.

The best way of dealing with a leak, especially in a sewer drain pipe, is to replace the section that is damaged. The last thing you want is the damaged pipe to have a major failure (leak or break) at some future date and spill sewage all over your basement.

-Brian

I have a 12 year old home and I got a tiny pin hole leak in the copper pipe not at a connection. After getting it fixed, 3 days later a got another tiny pin leak inches of way. What could cause this and should i worry about the entire line?

- Jason

Jason, a single pinhole leak can be a fluke, but if you have more than one there’s a good chance that you have a systemic problem. A pinhole leak is the final breakthrough in an area of the pipe’s wall that has been affected by pitting –a form of corrosion. Replacing the section of pipe or the whole system will turn back the clock, but won’t stop the pitting and leaks from happening again or in different spots. You may be able to have your current pipes epoxy lined which would restore them to like-new condition and prevent water from coming into direct contact with the pipe wall. Click here for more information about copper pipe leaks or pinhole leaks. For more information about epoxy pipe lining click here.

-Brian

I have a two-story fifty room hotel and I have a hot water recirculating pipe that gives instant hot water in any room at any given time. The mechanical room is located in one end of the building but somehow I constantly get pinhole leaks on the opposite end of the building, in almost within same rooms or area. Why not in different rooms?

–Sanjay

Sanjay, your pipe is corroding as well as eroding. Failures typically occur in the recirculation line first because it’s smaller in diameter and it’s receiving constant flow through it (which actually erodes it). Your problem is not unusual at all, typically the hot water line is looped around (in your case, it would be in your last units) and then returns as your recirculation line. If you want to avoid repeatedly replacing or patching this pipe, epoxy pipe lining will prevent corrosion and erosion.

-Brian

Why does brown water come out of our pipes after we haven’t used the water for a couple of days? (Plumbing is only 3 years old).

-Jake

Jake, colored water (brown in your case) coming out of a faucet or tap is a result of high levels of dissolved or suspended corrosion by-products (e.g. rust or lime-like) caused by a reaction between the metal of the pipe and the water. When a solid forms and settles on the wall of the pipes, it’s called tuberculation. This happens mostly with galvanized and as water sits in this pipe when you’re not using it (even only a couple days) it becomes discolored. Since your plumbing is only three years old, it would seem to indicate that the water in your area may be chemically aggressive towards the metal your pipes are made out of. To deal with tuberculation, you could repipe (replace your pipes) or you could have the pipes cleaned out and epoxy lined (as is done with CuraFlo’s system) –this would take care of your immediate problem and prevent it from coming back.

-Brian

Your water is probably safe to drink, but it can stain your laundry. It’s recommended that discolored water be tested so that you know what kind of contaminants you’re dealing with and if they’re safe to consume. You might also want to contact your local water supplier to get more information about the water in your area and if anyone else is experiencing what you are.

-Dr. Dave

Our galvanized pipe system is slowly leaking rust at the front faucet, my husband is concerned that our system could blow anywhere in the walls and we wouldn’t know it until we had a mess. Would Curaflo[’s] method help with the structural integrity of our pipes? We’ve almost agreed to re-piping with copper L 1″ super quality pipes in our 30 yr old here in Orange County, Calif.

-Janice (Orange County, CA)

Janice, rusty water coming out of galvanized pipes is an obvious symptom of “tuberculation” –dissolved minerals in your water reacting with the metal of the pipe, causing corrosion and buildup on the wall of the pipe. Reduced flow (the buildup reduces the inside diameter of the pipe) and low water pressure are also typical symptoms of this condition. The buildup doesn’t necessarily mean your pipes are leaking or will leak, but typically they will. Leaks usually start small, but can spread or evolve into major leaks.

CuraFlo’s process eliminates the need to repipe your entire system. The first part of CuraFlo’s epoxy pipe lining process cleans out the rusty mineral buildup, stopping the rusty water you’re seeing. Any section that is too weak to be lined is replaced. Then CuraFlo’s safe-for-drinking-water epoxy pipe lining is applied; this keeps the metal of the pipe from coming into contact with water –preventing buildup from forming and corrosion from happening again. Pipes are restored to better-than-new condition.

Pipe replacement is an option, but it often takes longer and includes the mess and disruption of cutting open walls and removing pipes. Once done, you’ll need to replace walls (or tiles or floors) and make cosmetic repairs. In addition, water will still be coming in contact with the metal of your pipes – it’s a matter of time before corrosion happens again.

You can get in touch with a CuraFlo professional near you, who can help you assess your problem by visiting www.curaflo.com, or calling 1-888-4CuraFlo.

-Brian