Having had my kitchen ceiling torn up to replace a bathtub drain in an 88 year old house, we discovered that the waste line from the 2nd floor bathroom sink up there was lead pipe of around 2" diameter. Later we discovered (Luckily, discovered prior to drywall patching the kitchen ceiling.) there is a hole in the top of the lead pipe. Of course I'd love to replace the entire run of lead pipe, but this would take tearing up lots more ceiling. That's not my idea of a best fix. I've talked with some people more familiar with old lead pipe. I'm told that a "lead wipe" might be done on the top side of this horizontal, lead waste pipe to seal up the hole. The hole has not ever leaked, but if the waste line got clogged in 10 or 20 years waste water would back up and spill out of the hole. What I understand of the "lead wipe" technique, lead is melted and a well insulated leather glove would be used to repeatedly circle the hole atop the pipe with molten lead. By spreading molten lead over the surface adjacent to the hole, a little mounding of lead could be built up and slowly bring the hole to a smaller and smaller size, eventually closing it completely. This seems logical to me, but seems like spreading molten lead is an ER visit waiting to happen for a novice like me. The next approach I can think of is applying some kind of patch, like a piece of inner tube rubber, and securing it with a couple of hose clamps. Applying hose clamps to 88 year old lead pipe feels a little risky... possible cracking or squishing the lead pipe. Please let me hear your best thoughts about what I've said and what you know from experience.

Hey Harvey... best bet here will be to gently scuff the surface with sandpaper or sandcloth and then apply an epoxy putty such as PROPOXY20... usually available at all home supply stores or even at a local plumbing supply house (see picture).

Here, after roughing the lead up by sanding it (gently) you want to knead the two-part epoxy until turns uniform color then apply to area in question... then, apply some water to smooth/feather the edges and make a permanent/bonded surface. Idea is to achieve a thin patch of epoxy that is melded with the lead...

This is what we use to do patches on lead... you are right that a lead wipe is just unsafe for anyone really!

Let me know what you think...

MARK

Thank you so much Mark. I appreciate your experience and clear, brief instructions. I'll look into finding Propoxy20 locally.

Glad to help Harvey... Let us know how it works out.

Will all the plumbers who had to wipe a lead joint to pass a Journeyman Test raise their hands!