suggestions for repair of 1/2" copper line -see photo

mycophile · 11-14-2011, 11:12 PM

Discovered a leak, but had trouble finding the source. Seeping slowly from a wall shared with a shower. Manifold was dry. Crawled through my attic to find a 1/2" copper supply line leaking. It is part of a complex structure including a water hammer and distribution to an exterior faucet and a toilet. The leak would appear to be right where it goes through a 2x8 "header" (between the joists and apparently there to keep the pipe from moving).
Would guess acids in the wood help corrode the copper pipe.

Photo of problem

Pipe at lower right is 3/4 supply, one going up is air hammer. Flashlight is pointed at point where 1/2" line goes through the wood to the shower below.

Looks like I will have to cut out the wood and see how far down the damage goes. Looks difficult to sweat on a fitting. The attic is hot (South Florida) even late at night so I want to spend a minimal amount of time working up there. It is also very tight. Joist to roof at the pipe is maybe 24". Doubt I could even get a plumber to crawl up there.

Any suggestions on the most expeditious repair would be appreciated.

**oh'mike** · 11-15-2011, 06:21 AM

To many details about how hard this will be and not enough details about the plumbing---

Open the wall below---cut out bad pipe--cut and cap the old one in the attic---route new pipe to cut into the attic piping in a place where you won't burn down the house.

Or find a thin short plumber.