{"id":783,"date":"2021-04-19T11:00:14","date_gmt":"2021-04-19T15:00:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.snellair.com\/blog\/?p=783"},"modified":"2021-04-19T08:50:53","modified_gmt":"2021-04-19T12:50:53","slug":"pinhole-leaks-trickiest-plumbing-problems","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.snellair.com\/blog\/plumbing-service\/pinhole-leaks-trickiest-plumbing-problems\/","title":{"rendered":"Pinhole Leaks\u2014One of the Trickiest Plumbing Problems"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"copper-tubes\"The name <\/span>pinhole leak<\/span><\/i>\u00a0sounds like a minor issue. Big, gaping leaks in plumbing, leaks that send water spilling out all over the floor and make you glad you have a sump pump, sound like serious problems. And they are. But pinhole leaks are something those big leaks aren\u2019t: sneaky and hard to find. You may not know you need a <\/span>Lawrenceville, GA plumber<\/span><\/a> at first to solve your pinhole leaks, and that\u2019s how they can cause plenty of damage.<\/span><\/p>\n

But, aside from their size, what exactly are pinhole leaks and how do they get started? And how can you notice them?<\/span><\/p>\n

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Pinhole Leaks 101<\/b><\/h2>\n

Pinhole leaks are a result of corrosion on copper piping. If you know a few facts about copper pipes, one of them is that they\u2019re \u201ccorrosion resistant.\u201d That doesn\u2019t mean they\u2019re corrosion-proof. They resist most forms of corrosion, but a specific type that can affect them is <\/span>formicary corrosion<\/span><\/i>. This corrosion is caused by a chemical reaction, either from chemicals in the water in the pipes or in the air. Although scientists aren\u2019t 100% certain of the cause of formicary corrosion, it\u2019s likely connected to formaldehyde.<\/span><\/p>\n

Formicary corrosion weakens a small patch of copper, turning it gray. The weakening is enough to allow for water to begin to escape out tiny leaks. The leaks are small\u2014the size of pinholes\u2014but there are often many of them located along the pipes. If formicary corrosion is occurring in one spot on a pipe, it\u2019s likely occurring in other places.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Pinhole leaks can account for a large amount of water waste over time. Not only do they waste water, but they also create water damage. Leaking copper pipes are often behind sections of drywall or in ceilings. The water accumulates and leads to the development of mildew, which eats right through drywall. The high moisture from pinhole leaks also contributes to wood rot and mold.<\/span><\/p>\n

Evidence of Pinhole Leaks<\/b><\/h2>\n

There are signs of pinhole leaks to watch for that will warn you it\u2019s time to call a plumber:<\/span><\/p>\n