Fixing Pinhole Leaks: How SharkBite Makes it Easy
Pinhole leaks are a common and costly issue in traditional plumbing systems, especially those using copper pipes. Discover how SharkBite PEX pipe and SharkBite Max fittings make pinhole leak repairs fast, easy and long-lasting.
What Are Pinhole Leaks?
Pinhole leaks are small, often undetectable holes that form over time. Most often, they are caused by calcium and heavy metals that build up in your pipes, weaken the pipe, and cause a leak.
Pinhole leaks can also be caused by:
- Corrosion from water chemistry
- Electrolysis between dissimilar metals
- High water velocity or pressure
- Aging infrastructure
These leaks can go unnoticed and cause major water and mold damage to your home, plus a much higher water bill. That’s why it’s important to quickly repair them. Overtime you may want to consider repiping your home using PEX pipe.
Why Use SharkBite?
Whether you prefer solder, press, expansion or crimp, these methods all require special tools or a flame, making them difficult, or dangerous, to use in tight spaces.
In contrast, SharkBite offers a complete, permanent solution for repairing pinhole leaks with PEX pipe and SharkBite Max fittings.
Learn More: SharkBite Piping Systems
SharkBite PEX pipe are ideal for pinhole leak repairs because of their superior flexibility, which allows for longer pipe runs and faster installations. Using PEX is not only easy, but it also reduces the likelihood of leaks coming back. Unlike copper pipes, PEX is made of cross-linked polyethylene tubing, so calcium and heavy metals won’t build up over time and cause leaks.
The superior strength of SharkBite Max fittings, paired with PEX pipes, makes for the perfect pinhole leak solution. These push-to-connect fittings are rated to 400 psi and are approved for behind-the-wall repairs and are designed to make repairs easy in even the tightest of spaces.
Discover More: See What’s Inside a SharkBite Max™ Fitting
How to Repair Pinhole Leaks with SharkBite
Overview
Learn how to properly repair pinhole leaks in a fraction of the time of traditional methods from our friend at the Home Repair Tutor. Watch below to see how SharkBite Max fittings and PEX pipes make fixing a leak in a tight space both easy and permanent.
Method 1: PEX Pipe and SharkBite Max Fittings
First, turn off the water supply. Then, use copper pipe cutters to cut out the pinhole leak and the surrounding area. It’s important to remove any damaged or potentially damaged pipes, as it reduces the chances of pinhole leaks coming back.
Next, measure out how much pipe you need and use the SharkBite Pro PEX cutters and the SharkBite depth and deburr tool to cut and deburr your PEX pipe. Then, deburr the existing copper pipe, mark the correct insertion depth, and push your SharkBite Max fittings onto the pipe. Then, use the deburr tool to mark the insertion depth on your PEX pipe and push the pipe into the other end of the fitting. To complete the job, install one more fitting on the other end of the PEX pipe, turn your water back on, and test for any leaks. For a detailed look at how to install, watch the video below for more information.
Method 2: SharkBite Slip Coupling
A popular repair method for pinhole leaks is to use a SharkBite Max slip coupling since it requires no extra pipe. This method requires only the slip coupling and no additional fittings. To install, cut out any damaged copper pipe with pipe cutters. Then, use the SharkBite depth and deburr tool to deburr and mark the insertion depth on the bottom piece of copper pipe. Next, push the Max slip coupling up the top piece of pipe using the slip end. Then, pull the coupling down with a disconnect clip to meet the Max insertion depth mark. A slight twisting motion may help with pushing the coupling onto the pipe. This will connect the top and bottom pieces of pipe and leave you with a secure, leak-free repair.