How do I fix a cracked copper pipe without replacing it?

Question

I found a hairline crack on a copper pipe that's buried underneath our garden that runs into our main house. Water has been leaking from the hairline crack. Is there a way to patch the hairline crack without having to replace the pipe?

Answer 1

No. But.....it's really not that hard.
Dig around the line to expose it so you can work on it.
First, drain the line.
Cut all of the damaged part out, including a few extra inches on either side.
Solder in connectors and a new section of pipe.

You may not feel comfortable doing the work yourself, especially if you've never soldered. But don't "sweat" it. HA! (Sorry, plumber's joke! You'd have to know plumbing to know that bad pun!). If you have it all exposed and ready to go a decent plumber or handyman could repair it in a few minutes.
My suggestion would be to ask around for one of these old retired guys that seems to know how to do everything like this. Most plumbers are going to consider this job way too small to take. If you live near Lima, OH, write me at
[e-mail]
and I'll help you out for a cold beer.

Answer 2

Cracked Pipe

Answer 3

Cracked Pipe Repair

Answer 4

If you want a quick fix that will last use marine silicone, get it at boat stores it works like a charm. Its a pretty good price too it is meant to withstand water pressure. If they dont have marine silicone at the boat store take a plastic tube slice one side and fit it around the copper piping with the crack, next melt it slowly onto the pipe this should work. If your into more expensive stuff weld it, but make sure the temperature isnt too high just enough or it will melt the copper pipe and also make sure your using a metal that melts at lower heats definetaly not iron. Happy fixing! If you have any more questions email me!

Answer 5

Sorry you might as well replace the cracked area now. A quick fix is always a temporary fix, first though you better find out why it cracked. Is it not buried deep enough and possibly froze and split at one time. Copper just doesn't crack except by some external forces. Your line may need to be deeper in the ground.

Answer 6

i have a feeling the crack in the pipe is an indication of the integrity of the pipe and that includes the entire length of the pipe. there is only one type of copper tubing that is allowed under ground and that is type k. the repairs listed below your question are all wrong because as any knowlegable plumber will tell you 1.soldered joints by code are not allowed under ground.
2.the other repairs are of the temporary handyman type

you should abandon that piping and go with plastic, and if you live in a place where the ground freezes it is important to have it piped where you can either drain the line completely or have it blown out with a compressor before the cold sets in. if you go with plastic and this happens again you will easily be able to make the repair with some elbows a short piece of pipe, glue and primer. good luck.

Answer 7

Not adequately. that is most likely the h2o supply, if is close to the foundation the water can migrate to under the foundation doing thousands of dollars damage, call a plumber, he can replace a short section with out having to replace the whole pipe.
If you are so inclined you COULD do it your self, but I have the feeling that if you had the ability you would not be asking the question in the first place good luck.

Answer 8

I agree with PA28. It's tough to repair for inexperienced folks with the best of intentions. You or your repair buy needs to think about how it came to crack and what needs to be done to keep it from happening again.

Answer 9

If the crack is exposed you could possibly buy an appoxy clue to seal the crack or if exposed and enough room to work with, you could quite possibly sodder the hair line crack in place.

Answer 10

You could try J.B. Weld Clean the area real good, sand the crack with sanpaper, apply Jb weld and let dry