Hello,
My house will be 9 years old this December, and it is on a concrete slab with copper pipe for the plumbing. So far I have had 5 water leaks in my slab, the most recent now behind my toilet in master bath. The previous repairs were done be rerouting water lines, so we have not had to break the slab up to date. The original plumber has not done any of the repairs, and is very defensive, and now will not answer my calls. My question is should I be getting some type of warranty from the copper manufacturer or the plumber?
Thanks

Most states only hold the installer liable for a year unless you have a written agreement stating less or more. It's hard to say if there is a defect in the piping, but usually installer error or actions by associated tradesman during the build can effect the durability of the pipes as they age if there are no manufacturer material issues.

Copper under the slab is your problem and it should be routed to the attic if at all possible. Quality of copper depends on where it was made. Mexico, China, Korea all not up to standards expected in the USA. I had a problem with Home depots copper a few years back when they were buying it from Mexico. I came with pin holes in it from their factory. Very thin in places. I had a leak under my slab and wanted to reroute in the attic and was livid when I discovered the pinholes as I was cutting pieces to take up into the attic. Best to buy from a Plumber's Supply House if you can.

It could be faulty copper however the fly ash in concrete can erode copper as well. If the slab is not broken up and a sample removed you will never be able to know what the problem is. Chances are that no matter what the problem is the manufacturer will deny any responsibility. I would just bite the bullet and re-pipe with PEX.

I'd say that either the water or soil's ph is out of balance. It is the fault of neither the plumber nor manufacture of the copper. I've saw homes that were only 5 or 6 years old need complete repiping due to a high ph
of the potable water.

find out if the copper pipe was protected , i.e. sleeved while routed under the slab. c.u (copper) should never be in a permanent state of contact with concrete. concrete contains lime , accelerants and other corrosive properties that are volitile to copper. id say if the copper piping was not sleeved or protected somehow from contact with slab , that the failures are most likely incorrect install. its against code to dismiss protecting copper in slabs or walls or any place it contacts harmfull dissimilar materials

Not likely after 9 years, and I would be "defensive" also if someone called after 9 years and wanted me to warranty a repair.

IF the inspector approved the installation, then it WAS "to code" when it was installed.

those are good points , but still , there is always the possibility that the inspector didnt do his job right neither...i see so many calls here that passed inspection even up to 2012 ipc , but the failures and code violations i still see on the "inspected jobs" are stupidly staggering.