Author: John Running
Written: March 6th, 2014

How to repair leak in hot water supply line

METHOD ONE (most common in 1967) 

Step A. Gather materials from Farrs hardware:6” of ¾” Type L Copper,  2 X  ¾” copper couplers, Flux, Tubing cutter, copper cleaning tool, Solder,  plumber’s bread, torch. 

Step B.Turn off water, Cut out 3” ether side of leaking hole, clean ends, apply flux, stick bread in supply side, insert couplers, insert tubing cut to length. 

Step C.Heat each coupler and tubing till tinting of copper starts to change then apply 2 seconds of solder.  Turn on water, check for leaks, pick up tools.

Reference:  Home plumbers handbook.  

 ( Time; not counting trip to Coos Bay = 25 min) 

METHOD TWO 

Step A.Gather materials from the putty jar on shelves in dining room:Scissors, Inner tube. 

Step B.Use scissors to cut inner tube into 1 1/2 inch wide strips as long as possible.  Then wrap around copper pipe in area of leak.  Tie in knot.

 Step C.Wrap more inner tube around copper pipe and previously installed inner tube.  This time pull much tighter to attempt to stop leak.

 Step D.After kitchen pan placed under leak becomes full, replace with empty pan. 

Step E. Wrap more inner tube around area leaking and attempt to pull even tighter then tie in another knot. . 

Step F.  Wait a few days, then repeat step D and E. 

Step G.  Wait a few months then repeat step D, E, and F. Reference:  Picture below.

 (Time = countless hours until house is discarded to move up the hill.) 

As described to me by Mary.