March 9th 2008, has leak in copper hot water pipe. Pipe is between the 2nd story ceiling and attic. Had is repaired by licensed plumber same date.

New leak discovered today (a week later - March 16th) same copper pipe, but different location. About three feet removed from first leak.

Home is about 15 years old.

Afraid the leaks will continue based on this week history.

Any ideas or suggestions?

Hi Dale:

Sounds like you might have a bad batch of copper pipe there... or at least a bad length or two. Have plumber come back, have him cut out bad parts and show them to you. If they are paper thin (plumber can tell you) then may need to change over the horizontal sections of copper in house.

Here, plumber cuts out horizontals in attic and replaces with copper pipe or the even cheaper but better PEX pipe and fittings (latest and greatest stuff around! ) and then attaches to the vertical drops to fixtures. That would eliminate a significant bunch of bad piping... cross fingers regarding verticals, but again, once you guys get a look at pipe thickness, you'll know what to do.

If you are unsure of pipe thickness.. can always go to home supply store and look at type m copper tubing (red stripe... thinnest, for heat pipe) and type L copper tuning (blue stripe... thicker, for water). 15 years ago some guys were installing type M copper tubing to cut back on costs of constucting new homes... some got away with it.. some didn't. The result is that lots of homes 15-20 years having same problem you are.

Anyway, talk to the plumber, and look at defective pipe thickness with him... see what he thinks. Please let us know what happens. Good day... Mark