Slow leaky and plumber wants to replace the whole pipe

[HouseWifeBeth]

Hi all, first timer here. I know nothing about plumbing, so bear with me. I really need some advise here.

We are in a 80 y.o. house with galvanized steel pipes. One of the pipe has a really slow leak. It's like a drip every 2 minutes or something like that. Plumber comes and he put a clamp on the leaky. He says if this doesn't fix it, he needs to replace the entire pipe. It's a lot of money for us.

Hubby is out of town, he calls and said why can't the plumber just cut the leaky section out and joint it back with a new section. I don't know. Didn't think of it when the plumber was here. Hubby is kinda mad that I didn't ask, in his words, a simple question. Anyway, I am going to call the plumber on Mon but I want to know more so that I'll know if they give me some B.S. (not saying they are or will), don't want hubby get mad again.

So, why does he want to replace the whole pipe when there is just a tiny leak? Gosh, to do that he has to open up a large area of the ceiling and spends a whole day there, costing us an arm and a leg. Is there any legitimate reason why he can't just replace the section that has the leak? I suppose doing that will cost much less, right?

 

[havasu]

I've done many repairs on rotten galvanized pipes, but it is only a temporary fix, and usually just for my friends. If there is one leak today, there may be two leaks tomorrow. Galvanized pipe has a time limit, and unfortunately it sounds like yours is at the end of its life. Many plumbers hate to risk a repair because as soon as he touches it, he will "own" it. You may have to emphasize that you will not hold him responsible for other problems, but he might be able to buy you a little more time.

Good luck and please let us know the outcome!

 

[HouseWifeBeth]

Thank you for the reply. I agree that it's best to replace the whole pipe. But to be honesty, we simply can't afford it right now. We just have central AC and a new water heater put in last summer (still paying for them) and a bunch of electrical works done on this old house recently. I am thinking maybe there is a solution that is better than the clamp (which is not working) but cheaper than replacing the entire pipe? So, if I understand you correctly, you are saying that b/c the old pipe is fragile, the act of cutting the leaky section out may cause create leaks some other places in the pipe?

 

[havasu]

I will never recommend a clamp. Rather, cut out the worst pipe, and delicately remove it. Using Rectorseal #5 as a sealant, replace the pipe and connect with a union.

 

[phishfood]

I am thinking maybe there is a solution that is better than the clamp (which is not working) but cheaper than replacing the entire pipe? So, if I understand you correctly, you are saying that b/c the old pipe is fragile, the act of cutting the leaky section out may cause create leaks some other places in the pipe?

If the pipe is original to the house, 80 years ago, it is quite remarkable that it is holding pressure anywhere.

What is VERY likely to happen when the pipe is cut, rethreaded, and torqued upon with a pipe wrench to install a new section and a union, is that some of the built up corrosion inside the pipe that is left in use will break loose, and expose more leaks.

The plumber probably sees this, and wants to disturb the existing piping as little as possible by replacing an entire section at once, instead of a small section, which then might cause a leak right next to it, then another small section, and so on.

To be honest, it sounds as though you are heading for a complete repipe, and anything else done in the meantime is just buying time.

It is a rather difficult situation that you are in, faced with this big problem without your husband there to be involved in the decision making process. You are doing your best to get the problem fixed at as low a price as possible, I am sure. Maybe mention that?

 

[HouseWifeBeth]

What is VERY likely to happen when the pipe is cut, rethreaded, and torqued upon with a pipe wrench to install a new section and a union, is that some of the built up corrosion inside the pipe that is left in use will break loose, and expose more leaks.

The plumber probably sees this, and wants to disturb the existing piping as little as possible by replacing an entire section at once, instead of a small section, which then might cause a leak right next to it, then another small section, and so on.

Now, it's making more sense to me why he wants to replace the whole pipe. So, sounds like we just have to bite the bullet and find ways to cut other expenses in order to pay for this.

So if he is replacing the pipe, should he replace it with another galvanized? Or should he use copper or plastic (CPVC?) pipe. What are the options?

 

[HouseWifeBeth]

Oh, still struggling with this ... how about those plumber epoxy / putty thing I come across when googling this issue. Some say it's like steel when it hardens. Are they not effective? I know it probably will not be a permanent solution but will it hold up for a year at least. I ask b/c I think using the epoxy will disturb the pipe least.

 

[cl206]

Oh, still struggling with this ... how about those plumber epoxy / putty thing I come across when googling this issue. Some say it's like steel when it hardens. Are they not effective? I know it probably will not be a permanent solution but will it hold up for a year at least. I ask b/c I think using the epoxy will disturb the pipe least.

I don't know if this is too late, but look into something called JB water weld. It works very well if the leak is very small and also depending on the location of the leak. The thing about this approach is that it is very inexpensive and anyone can apply it. No tools needed. I do want to point out that this is not a permanent fix, but if you get lucky and it last a year or more, it would be worth it.

 

[AllAces777]

Not something I would normally do, but if it were my house, I second cl206 and the JB weld. I would use this method until more leaks started happening. One thing to be concerned about is how much damage will occur if and when another leak starts. The sooner the repipe gets done the safer the house will be.