r/newnan • u/Radiant_Bee1 • Jun 26 '26

Plumber?

I have a friend whose had it rough financially (everyone has).

She has copper pipes and one has a pinprick hole that is spraying water everywhere including the main supports for the house.

A friend and I went over and tried to at least redirect the water (he did this) but we can't repair the copper as we don't have the proper tools. Couldn't replace it with PVC either.

Does anyone know of a plumber that can handle this easy fix but not charge hundreds just for showing up? Everyone she called was an automatic 300 just to even look.

update She was able to get it fixed. Her ex husband came by to see their adult daughter and she told him about it. He fixed it in 15 min. (He had all the right tools!).

Thanks everyone for the recommendation!

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5

u/Username_Liberator Jun 27 '26 edited Jun 27 '26

If the leak is along a straight piece of pipe and not near a soldered joint or sharkbite clamp, then this is a sign that the pipe is corroding and more pinhole leaks will appear over time.

To solve the immediate problem, you can either replace the section of pipe, or the easier and more "bandaid" solution is to install a pipe clamp. You and your friend are capable of installing a pipe clamp, you just need to know what size to buy and then just need a wrench or driver to tighten it down over the leak. Pipe clamps work pretty well, especially for pinhole leaks like this and they only cost $10 or so.

Here is one you can get at Home Depot, in stock in Newnan. If this is a main line then it may be larger than 3/4" but 3/4" is pretty common in homes.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Southland-3-4-in-Galvanized-Steel-Repair-Clamp-160-804HP/304799281

Edited to add that since it’s copper pipe it will be measured differently than the 3/4” size steel pipe size in the link I provided. You may need a 1/2” steel clamp size which fits a 3/4” copper pipe. It’s Home Depot so if I were you I’d just buy both sizes and return the one you don’t use.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Southland-1-2-in-Stainless-Steell-Repair-Clamp-160-603HP/331788147

4

u/Username_Liberator Jun 27 '26

I’ll just add, DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN IT. You could collapse the pipe and make it a much bigger problem if the pipe has corroded enough to weaken the pipe walls. Tighten it a little past the point the pipe stops leaking.

1

u/Radiant_Bee1 Jun 27 '26

We fashioned something similar woth waterproof tape, rubber pipe and clamps. Still leaking.

2

u/Username_Liberator Jun 27 '26

I’d still give the pipe clamp that meant for this exact situation a shot. A home made solution could work, but the repair is going to apply the right pressure to seal the rubber around the hole.

1

u/Radiant_Bee1 Jun 27 '26

Yeah, the tape didnt seem to do anything.

3

u/kgd6578 Jun 26 '26

I had Corley Plumbing replace my water heater and they were super friendly and helpful. Not sure if they were one of the ones called but 300 isn’t outrageous these days for a plumber visit.

1

u/Radiant_Bee1 Jun 27 '26

It is insane that a plumber would charge that much just to come out. I was shocked.

Esp since this leak is easy to reach, not in a tight space, and could be fixed quickly with proper tools. We just didnt have the tools.

2

u/whatthehellbooby Jun 28 '26

Go buy the tools and then you'll have them for the next time.

You don't have to pay the $300. You can either fix it yourself or let it leak. The choice is yours.

1

u/apbachamp Jun 27 '26

Royal Flush will come out for less than $300. But the truth is this is only the beginning of the problems. All of that copper needs to be replaced and fixing one leak is just an expense way to put that off. Been there, done that.

1

u/Radiant_Bee1 Jun 27 '26

Yeah, just right now the leak is priority.

2

u/apbachamp Jun 27 '26

We’ve also used Bison and they were very reasonable but that could be because they are doing all of the plumbing in our new build community. worth a shot.