Repair Lead Water Lines: Stop Leaks Quickly!

[@panemon187]

Lead is such an amazing material for running water in. It actually improves its longevity over time with Pbc03 buildup on the pipe walls, which prevents water erosion and mineral erosion, making these suckers last forever. Lead is more chemically resistant than copper, or brass. There are old lead water lines that are 400-500 years old and even older ones in Europe up to 2000 years old being still used today.

[@manas8346]

How can i close the end of a lead pipe leaking? Can i just smash it like you did to stop water from coming out, or is there a special fitting? Or is there a tool that can twist the end of it and close it shut?

[@balkanplumbing]

Short answer is yes, you can smash it shut. You could even apply a vise.

[@bobkelley8291]

My hard of hearing uncle used a welding rod from pipe to his ear. He also used it to on engine to ear putting the rod around the engine to find the problem. That was like sixty years ago.

[@balkanplumbing]

We’ll… that same principle still applies. Vibrations travel. Smart uncle!