The service is 1" lead pipe and there's a pin-hole leak just as it comes up out of the concrete floor before the meter. Any ideas on fixing this cheaply? It's in a tavern and they don't want a long down time. Thanks Joe
It may be possible to clean the area and just solder it shut. It is also possible to open up more damage than is already visible. That would mean rather extensive downtime.
If it is a lead service, it is probably more that 50 years old and full of potential problems, especially right at the point it comes into the building. Lead was common for service in the 1940s.
If it was me, I'd contact a reliable plumber and have the service replaced. It may be down a few hours, but planned ahead, it is much more timely than a break in the middle of the night. While the new line is being put in, it may also be possible to get water from another source, such as a hose from a neighbor. Depending on location, it is much easier to do before it is very cold and the ground is frozen and a whole 'nuther set of problems comes into play. You don't need 12" of ice in the street and quadruple the excavation cost.
Water, electric, gas, beer, what? Didn't think they allowed lead water pipe in decades. Sometimes you have to bite the bullet and repair stuff the right way.
aem sends...
i figure it's galvanized pipe.
if it's lead you could whittle it with a pocket knife.
before monkeying around with a main, test the floor drain and sump pump and curbside shutoff, you will need them standing by.
try mixing up some 2-part epoxy putty and wrapping it onto the leak as tightly as possible with rubber stretch sticks to itself expensive tape.
galvanized has a tendency to heal its own drips overhead, but you may have a rusted away line at the concrete.
the leak is on the free side of the meter, but start planning fro a new main to the curbside shutoff. if it's actually lead you'll be replacing it entirely to the street main with a new curbside shutoff. or whatever your city may require.
you may run a drinking water quality white hose from the friendly neighbor's to your hose sillcock thru a double female adapter or a washing machine double female. with your main off you'll be using the neighbor's water as long as it doesn't freeze. we've put these temporary hoses in 2" pvc to keep them warmer in cold weather but usually still have to trickle the water thru them so the water won't freeze.
Rubber shim under a hose clamp.
just as it comes
on fixing this
Have you talked to the water company? They may take responsibility for the supply to the meter.
Bob
If there's 1 pin-hole leak then there are probably 20 other pin-hole leaks about to start, and a few dime-sized weak spots just waiting to burst in the middle of the night.
-D
The hole is the least of their problems! You get FUCKING LEAD POISONING from a lead pipe, not to mention the liability from their customers
how can you even think about patching this major health hazard for them and still sleep at night?
see, this is what lead does, it makes you stupid, did you happen to drink some of the water or ice at that tavern, by any chance?
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