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How to diagnose for cracks or condensation in 1/2" copper pipe

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How to diagnose for cracks or condensation in 1/2" copper pipe bent 01-19-2007
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Posted by hawgeye on January 20, 2007, 9:31 am


snip

> How do I diagnose if I have a leak? I have not run any hot or cold water
> in the sink, nor flushed the toilet in a couple days. In the last few
> months I have only flushed the toilet twice, both times in the last couple
> weeks. I've just got tissue paper sitting there, waiting for me to look
> later. I could drill a hole-saw in the wall, but what about running the
> water, etc. to help find out. A problem is its a tight location, can't
> see all possibilities, and don't know how to check with a diagnosis.
> There are more pipes around, but they are all currently insulated.

The only real way to find if you have a leak is to disconnect all fixtures
on the line in question, cap of the ends, put a pressure gauge and an air
fitting on the line, then pressurize the line with air. Wait and monitor
the gauge to see if the pressure drops.
This may or may not even be doable, depending on your system. But if you
can, don't go too high on the air pressure, about 50-60 psi should be good.
That's the check, the fix may be another story.

--
hawgeye ©



Posted by bent on January 20, 2007, 1:05 pm
I can't believe this. I've got the entire basement insulated and vapor
barriered.... I'm nearly done refinishing all but the floor. I have both hot
and cold pipes wrapped in newly un-glued-edge styrofoam tubes, with package
taped over that joint lengthways, twisted with string over that, and used
rolls of electrical tape at every corner. I have so little clearance in the
2x4 it hurts, and did absolutely everything humanly possible so its
impossible for this to happen. I'm using that store bought insulation on a
plastic strip too, and cut up pieces and tucked and twisted up to both sides
of that 2x4" in any way possible. IOW If anybodys thinking of doing
this, put the insulation tube through the 2x4, and anything else.

Now what? If I hole saw into the wall (makes for an easy patch) I have
access to both sides. Silicon, or roof patch?

I'm guessing its condensation in winter. My tissue paper is dry. I have
yet to run any water. I guess I can safely say that this be from the cold
and only when the water runs through, enough to chill the pipe down. I
wonder whats going on inside the wall? Originally I thought this almost
impossible.

I wrapped the insulated pipes in a couple layers of thin aluminum sheet
snipped to 3" wide, and put a screw up through the center to a joist to
"wire it up" several feet away, no mistakes, no dissimilar metals.


from....
1/2" copper pipes [with] insulation....WET> How do I diagnose if I have a
leak?



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Posted by bent on January 20, 2007, 1:54 pm
NO NO, wait sorry

I just got back to work. I'm stuffing Roxul battts b/t joists above stud
walls b/t rooms for sound insulation.

I got took the tissue paper off - I looked at its outer edges before. Now I
see there IS some water where I wrapped one 3/4" x 2" piece through the
pipes. Like I put a single drop on the center, that hadn't reached the
outer corners, or half the surface area. So I have a question for anyone
with expereince/knowledge in this kinda area.

I have NOT run any water through that pipe for maybe a week. It is only
uncovered of insulation a few inches on top of the 2x4 before it goes down
into the wall. Only the top of the 2x4. It does feel a little cool to the
touch. Nothing runs even close (w/i 12') or through.


SOOO:

Is it possible that it COULD be condensation? In winter, when its -10
degrees C outside, and say 20 degrees C inside? Or have I got a leak/
possible stress crack?



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Posted by bill allemann on January 21, 2007, 12:22 pm
If no water has run thru that section of pipe for days, it can't be
condensation, because in a matter of a few hours, the pipe
will reach ambient temperature. Condensation can only
happen when the pipe is at the dew point (significantly
below ambient).

Bill


> NO NO, wait sorry
>
> I just got back to work. I'm stuffing Roxul battts b/t joists above stud
> walls b/t rooms for sound insulation.
>
> I got took the tissue paper off - I looked at its outer edges before. Now
> I see there IS some water where I wrapped one 3/4" x 2" piece through the
> pipes. Like I put a single drop on the center, that hadn't reached the
> outer corners, or half the surface area. So I have a question for anyone
> with expereince/knowledge in this kinda area.
>
> I have NOT run any water through that pipe for maybe a week. It is only
> uncovered of insulation a few inches on top of the 2x4 before it goes down
> into the wall. Only the top of the 2x4. It does feel a little cool to
> the touch. Nothing runs even close (w/i 12') or through.
>
>
> SOOO:
>
> Is it possible that it COULD be condensation? In winter, when its -10
> degrees C outside, and say 20 degrees C inside? Or have I got a leak/
> possible stress crack?
>
>
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> News==----
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> =----



Posted by bent on January 21, 2007, 12:31 pm
so at 18/18 and if it ain't wicking its a leak, no doubt? is what you're
telling me

>Bill said
If no water has run thru that section of pipe for days, it can't be
condensation, because in a matter of a few hours, the pipe
will reach ambient temperature. Condensation can only
happen when the pipe is at the dew point (significantly
below ambient).



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