UsuallyResourceful
New Member
I saw some water leaking in my garage from the ceiling, in an area underneath the bathroom. So I cut up the ceiling, and found that the 3" copper drain pipe is corroded, and has two holes in it. Each hole is about 1" wide by a 1/4" tall. In the photo, you can see that the holes are in the 3.5" section of pipe between two joints. Towards the upper left of the photo, there is a large metal something after the joint. You cannot see it in the photo, I have yet to find out what that is. I do know that after that large metal something, the copper pipe goes to the drain pipe for the toilet.
I have been doing some research for five or so hours, and I have found a few options. I wanted to run these past everyone.
Option 1 - FiberFix. This stuff looks like it will definitely; permanently or temporarily, fix this issue. But I am concerned that the pipe will just corrode further, and eventually corrode the joints. FiberFix just seems like a temporary fix for a copper drain.
Option 2 - Cut the corroded section out at the joints on each side, and replace it with PVC; schedule 41. I was looking around at the hardware store for the proper couplings to do this, but I did not see a fitting that would go into each joint. The problem being that an inch or so of the existing pipe would still be in the bell of the joint. The guy in the plumbing section suggested a Fernco fitting at each joint, then 3" PVC schedule 41 in between. He said I might be able to heat the Fernco coupler up with a heat gun to get it to slide over the joint. I think the better option would be to desolder the pipe and take it out, but I don't know if that is possible.
Option 3 - Call roto rooter, get a quote, and see what a pro would do. I am guessing he would cut out those big joints and just replace the joints and pipes with PVC. I am interested in the best professional fix, I might even be able to handle the task myself.
I am a novice, and have only used sharkbites in the past. Any advice is greatly appreciated. And if you have any insight as to how this happens please let me know. From what I have been reading, it sounds like water just sitting in that area for long periods of time could do something like this.
I have been doing some research for five or so hours, and I have found a few options. I wanted to run these past everyone.
Option 1 - FiberFix. This stuff looks like it will definitely; permanently or temporarily, fix this issue. But I am concerned that the pipe will just corrode further, and eventually corrode the joints. FiberFix just seems like a temporary fix for a copper drain.
Option 2 - Cut the corroded section out at the joints on each side, and replace it with PVC; schedule 41. I was looking around at the hardware store for the proper couplings to do this, but I did not see a fitting that would go into each joint. The problem being that an inch or so of the existing pipe would still be in the bell of the joint. The guy in the plumbing section suggested a Fernco fitting at each joint, then 3" PVC schedule 41 in between. He said I might be able to heat the Fernco coupler up with a heat gun to get it to slide over the joint. I think the better option would be to desolder the pipe and take it out, but I don't know if that is possible.
Option 3 - Call roto rooter, get a quote, and see what a pro would do. I am guessing he would cut out those big joints and just replace the joints and pipes with PVC. I am interested in the best professional fix, I might even be able to handle the task myself.
I am a novice, and have only used sharkbites in the past. Any advice is greatly appreciated. And if you have any insight as to how this happens please let me know. From what I have been reading, it sounds like water just sitting in that area for long periods of time could do something like this.