Pro tip: using a cheap pumice stone on my copper pipes saved me from a $300 plumber bill

My ancient hot water line had this crusty green buildup near the joint and after trying vinegar and sandpaper I just scrubbed it with a $3 pumice stone from the hardware store and the leak stopped completely, has anyone else fixed plumbing with random stuff like that?

3 comments

3 Comments

harper_foster1d agoMost Upvoted

I've done the exact same thing with a pumice stone on my copper pipes. That crusty green buildup is usually just mineral scale and corrosion, not a hole in the pipe itself. You can also try a wire brush or a steel wool pad if you don't have a pumice stone handy, just go easy so you don't scratch the pipe too deep. Saved myself a ton of hassle and money on an old water heater line that way.

mila_campbell251d ago

I scrubbed down a 20-year-old copper line under my kitchen sink last fall that had that same green crust. I used a pumice stone too and it worked like a charm, the leak stopped right after and I saved at least $250 not calling a plumber. I even tried a wire brush first but it left scratches, so the stone was way gentler on the metal. It's amazing how a buildup of minerals and hard water can seal small pits in the pipe if you clean it off just right. I keep a pumice stone in my toolbox now specifically for copper pipes and it has come in handy twice more since then.

wendy6281d ago

Pumice stones are basically the duct tape of the plumbing world, right? I tried a wire brush once on my copper pipes and ended up with more scratches than my cat leaves on the couch. My only regret is not realizing sooner that I could be using a beauty product as a home repair tool, because now I'm out here looking like a pro with a pumice stone in my toolbox.

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