How to Fix a Leak in Copper Pipe Without Having to Solder

This article will show how to fix a leak in a copper pipe without the need for soldering. It will show how to do this using brass fittings called compression fittings.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Brass compression fittings
• Hack saw or,
• Copper pipe cutter
• Two large adjustable wrenches
• Sand paper
• Extra lengths of the pipe size you are dealing with.

1. 
    
   Shows area where the leak started.

   When a leak in a copper pipe develops, it's location will be obvious. You will not have to go looking for it. It will be dripping on you. It is not widely known but copper pipe will corrode over time and start to leak all by itself.

2. 
    
   Shut off valve

   Once you are prepared to fix the leak, the first thing you need to do is shut the water off. The picture shows what the whole house water shut off valve looks like. If the valve cannot be located you can turn the water off at the water meter out at the street in front of the house.

3. 
    

   The picture shows what a compression fitting looks like. There are different sizes so you need to get the right size to fit your pipe. You may have to make a copy of this picture to take to the hardware store with you and get help from a clerk to get the right thing. The compression fittings consist of a main body, nuts and ferrules.

4. 
    
   Pipe cutter

   Once the water is shut off and the pipes drained you will need to cut the pipe in convenient spots so as to remove the portion that is leaking. Be sure to leave enough pipe protruding so you and get the nut and ferrule from the compression fitting onto the pipe. If you have or can purchase a pipe cutter (see photo) this job is a snap. If you don't have a pipe cutter you can use a hacksaw. This author is assuming everyone knows what a hacksaw looks like. Using a hacksaw will make this job a little more difficult yet still possible.

5. Once you have cut away the bad pipe you need to clean the remaining pipe with sand paper where the compression ferrules are to be placed. From your extra pipe you need to cut new pipe to fill in what was cut away.

6. 
    
   Finished connections

   Now you will make the final assembly by connecting the ferrules, nuts and body like shown in the picture. Tighten the nuts. These nuts need to be very tight.
   Turn the water back on.
   If little leaks develop just tighten the nuts up some more until leaking stops.

Tips & Warnings

• If you don't understand the fittings or tools described here ask your hardware attendant for assistance. I'm sure they will be able to show you how this all works.
• Brace yourself when using a hacksaw. It can slip and cut you.