I have a new house (2.5 yrs old). It has plastic water piping and a pump at the water heater to get hot water to the 2nd floor. A little over 1 yr in the house we had 3 pinhole leaks in the hot water line in 2 months. Now I have another one. What is likely causing this and how do you fix it? I have little money and my ceiling is looking bad.


The water lines are all PEX 1006. A clear white color.

The water pipes need replacing or this will happen over and over again. There is no easy fix on this. Whoever built your house needs to get a call before you call your attorney on this as this is definitely a builder issue that needs corrected immediately. The builder used inferior piping on this.

What kind of plastic, PVC, CPVC or what? What color are the pipes?

As a rule pinhole leaks are caused by electrolysis affecting copper pipes. Since plastic does conduct electricity we can rule that out. If it's aggressive water it will be the first time I've ever heard of it attacking Plastic. What type of pipes do you have? CPVC or Pex? Can you give us more details? Regards, tom

The water lines are all PEX 1006 a clear white color.
All help appreciated.

DJ

I would also contact the builder through your Real Estate atty that handled your closing. This house should be trouble free for at leat 10 or more years. PEX tubing is practically imperevious to any outside forces except for chemicals in the water that would specifically attck it. This is sub standard material. It will be up to the builder to relace ALL of the PEX in the house... if it is leaking there, where else is it leaking that you can't see??
You may have a very serious problem.

Also, you can tell that the plumbing contractor was cutting costs by using the natural color PEX. Most new construction REQUIRES Blue for Cold water and Red for hot water. The natural color was cheaper and the contractor probably "got a deal" buying a large quantity.

Buying by volume can save a contractor money but the PEX I buy is all $45 for 1/2" x 100'. Pex Connection : PEX Pipe All Brands Have you considered calling the manufacturer directly. PEX is not prone to pin holes at all. Are the leaks at a connection or in the line itself?

Manf. Has rep in town who will be checking on it. All leaks are in the lines (not near connections or clamps). Builder is having his plumber repair current leak and they are bringing in area rep. The affected pipes have turned a yellow color. Plumber says they will fix it (despite house over warranty time) and he believes it has to be bad pex. I will update after rep visits. Thanks for the help.

Water Pipes Were Tested And It Is Bad Pex. Company That Made It Is Paying For All Repairs Now That They Are Done Testing It. Thanks For The Help