Leaks in copper pipe…..

[terryplumb]

Cut a section of the pipe out ,inspect the inside and tell us the result.

 

[Heatslave]

In simple terms the "Earth" in the consumer unit ( Fuse box ) is often connected to the incoming Neutral in the supply cable. The Neutral should be at the same potential as the Ground but in reality it can be several volts different from Ground potential.


That is rediculous and suggests your "electrician" lacks the basic knowledge necessary to work on electrics. You need a electrician to check the installation for safety of people in the house.

He did explain it, I think the earth bonding comes in with the main electrical wires from outside the house on the electricity board side of things. It’s all modern cabling. Way above my head, but he’s a qualified electrician.

 

[Heatslave]

Cut a section of the pipe out ,inspect the inside and tell us the result.

Will do, just going through my options at the mo as to whether trycopper again, or use plastic.

 

[Heatslave]

Just to clear up the earth thing, here’s a couple of pics of my mains elec in to the fuse board. It is earthed, but from the incoming mains. There’s no physical earthing rod in use.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

I appreciate that reply, but it is well beyond my comprehension

There is no physical earthing strip to my MCB, the electrician said it’s not needed, and the only electrical connection to the copper would be through the Worcester oil fired combi boiler.

A simple check....

Do you have access to a multi-meter?

Set it on an ac voltage range, beginning on the highest voltage range, one probe on the earth pin of a socket, the other on your copper pipe. Adjust the voltage range down, to see if there is a voltage potential between the two, then report back here, with the result. There should be no voltage difference, between them.

 

[bernardgreen]

Earth pins in socket are likely to be connected via bonding to the pipework so will be at the same potential. A more informative measurement would be that between the concrete and the pipe. Damp concrete can be electrically conductive. There could be moisture in the concrete from the door ( or window ? ) that can be seen above the pipe

 

[Heatslave]

A simple check....

Do you have access to a multi-meter?

Set it on an ac voltage range, beginning on the highest voltage range, one probe on the earth pin of a socket, the other on your copper pipe. Adjust the voltage range down, to see if there is a voltage potential between the two, then report back here, with the result. There should be no voltage difference, between them.

My multimeter only has 600v and 200v on the AC side of things, but there is no voltage at all showing on either.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

My multimeter only has 600v and 200v on the AC side of things, but there is no voltage at all showing on either.

Not electrolytic action between your main earth, and the pipework then. Maybe as Bernard suggests?

I would replace it with copper, but wrap the copper in an insulating sleeve where it runs near other parts.

 

[Heatslave]

Earth pins in socket are likely to be connected via bonding to the pipework so will be at the same potential. A more informative measurement would be that between the concrete and the pipe. Damp concrete can be electrically conductive. There could be moisture in the concrete from the door ( or window ? ) that can be seen above the pipe

The concrete in the kitchen was bone dry for months before the brand new copper pipe went in. It’s on a brand new extension, with all relevant dampproofing, etc.

However, the pin hole leak that I found last month in the vertical pipe in the garage was leaking 1.5 litres a day over many, many months. It was hidden by foam insulation. That pipe goes down the garage wall, through the blockwork wall, and continues as the cold water tap feed pipe you see affected in the kitchen. I wonder if some of that water has transferred through the wall via the insulation to the insulation in the kitchen. I wonder if the two are linked ?? It’s odd that the hot water pipe next to it is not affected ??

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

The concrete in the kitchen was bone dry for months before the brand new copper pipe went in. It’s on a brand new extension, with all relevant dampproofing, etc.

However, the pin hole leak that I found last month in the vertical pipe in the garage was leaking 1.5 litres a day over many, many months. It was hidden by foam insulation. That pipe goes down the garage wall, through the blockwork wall, and continues as the cold water tap feed pipe you see affected in the kitchen. I wonder if some of that water has transferred through the wall via the insulation to the insulation in the kitchen. I wonder if the two are linked ?? It’s odd that the hot water pipe next to it is not affected ??

I wonder if the pipe might have been left-overs somehow, from those reported pin-holed batches of many years ago - seems unlikely, after all these years.

 

[terryplumb]

Did you cut out a section of pipe that leaked in garage ,if so did you look inside it ?

 

[Heatslave]

Did you cut out a section of pipe that leaked in garage ,if so did you look inside it ?

I’m leaving it all in place at the mo, until a plumber has come and had a look. I’ll cut the section once it comes out and report back

 

[Exedon]

I’ve never had any issues with copper pipe in the twenty three years I’ve been using it in this house. Has there been issues with the standard of copper pipe recently ??
[/QUOTE]
I can absolutely assure you there has always been pin hole corrosion on copper tube.
It is guaranteed for 25 year but its almost a waste of time
If you try to claim you need a section that has manufacturers name stamped on it.
As its only marked ever Mt your normal out of luck!
We were for many years subcontractors to a specialist insurance contractor. Pinhole copper was one of most common leaks we saw.

 

[Heatslave]

I’ve never had any issues with copper pipe in the twenty three years I’ve been using it in this house. Has there been issues with the standard of copper pipe recently ??

I can absolutely assure you there has always been pin hole corrosion on copper tube.
It is guaranteed for 25 year but its almost a waste of time
If you try to claim you need a section that has manufacturers name stamped on it.
As its only marked ever Mt your normal out of luck!
We were for many years subcontractors to a specialist insurance contractor. Pinhole copper was one of most common leaks we saw.
[/QUOTE]



It’s a sad day…..but I’m gonna replace it with plastic

(Never thought this day would come )

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

It is guaranteed for 25 year but its almost a waste of time

My copper is around 40 years, maybe on borrowed time..