I live in a 2-story condo and have had 2 ceiling leaks in the past 12 years. One was in the living room area on the lower level, the other was in the 2nd story hallway. I was told by the plumber that fixed the last leak that my pipe was galvanized steel and that over the last 35 years, some of it probably had rusted out and developed pin hole leaks. Should I have all the pipe replaced? In the meantime, should I pierce the ceiling while I'm waiting for a plumber? It will be 10 hours before I can get someone here and I'm worried about a piece of my ceiling falling in. Thanks.

Your plumber was most likely correct in his diagnoses. If possible, replace as much of this old pipe as possible.

He can use ABS, PVC or Cast Iron pipe if it is drain leak or copper, PEC CPVC for h/c water piping...

Yes, you can certainly pierce the ceiling so it doesn't fall down on your head.

Yes, pierce the ceiling. It's going to have to be replaced anyway.

If your going to mess up that room, I'd consider replacing what you can that affects that room.

Milo, thanks. I'm not sure how this site works, so I'm trying again with my response. What should I do about water usage in the meantime? Also, should I refrain from using my A/C?

If it is drain leaking: Just don't use the bathroom upstairs and you should be OK until tomorrow...

If it is water pipe leaking: turn off water to the whole house, drain hot and cold water using the lowest faucet in your house. Leave it open over night...

Let us know how it went with the repair... Good luck... Milo

Thanks, and I will let you know.

Sorry, but I don't understand why you keep mentioning A/C. Is A/C condensation line connected to this leaking pipe ? If positive, than don't turn A/C ON until tomorrow after repair. If it is NOT connected to that line so there is no problem using A/C.

You could fill a couple of buckets with water to flush the toilet and turn off the water main to relieve pressure to the house and the leak. You don't use any water overnight anyway.

The A/C is fine. It doesn't use water. If you know of any electrical that my get wet, you can turn that breaker off.

Yea. I've been complaining about "Post quick answer" for a long time. It doesn't make sense to newbies.

I don't know if they are connected. It's a maze of pipe and I can't see the leak. Just to be safe, will leave the A/C off.

Could it be the AC drain that's blocked?

KISS may be on to something. Many times I've been called out on a plumbing leak only to find a clogged AC condensate line that was the culprit, I carried a air bottle to blow the line clear and poured leach down the pipe to remove any build up.
Cheers, Tom