When I bought my house 30 years ago the water main was underground to where it entered the subfloor, and then went directly into the piping system. There was no shutoff other than at the water meter - which I am technically not allowed to touch. All of the pipes are galvanized steel. After a few years, I had a plumber install a shut off valve. He used copper pipe to re-route the main out the exterior wall, where he installed a gate valve, then back under the subfloor where it re-connects to the galvanized pipe.

This evening my son heard a hissing near the shut off, saw concrete area was wet, and insulation around the pipe was dripping. When I removed the insulation, a tiny jet of water shot out. The hole is dead in the middle of a short (about 1-1/2 inch between connections) piece of pipe. I'm guessing the hole may not be more than 1/32 inch. As a temporary patch, I wrapped the pipe in silicone tape which slowed the leak to a fast drip. I then used a hose clamp to secure a small piece of inner tube over the leak, which has stopped the leak completely (see photo).

I DIY a lot of things but know actual repair of this is beyond me. Here are my questions:
1) Am I correct the patch is likely good for at least a week or two, until I can have it properly repaired?
2) Is replacement of just the leaking piece likely to be OK or is it more likely the whole copper section, back to the galvanized under the house, will need to be replaced?
3) While this is being done, I presume it is a good idea to replace the gate valve with a ball valve. Are all ball valves created equal or is the something specifica I should ask for to get a good one?

Thanks.

tom, the patch will last longer than the existing pipe.
i would open the wall and replace back to the galvanized.
as for the new ball valve, get one that says "full port" and has a packing nut rather than an "O" ring seal at the stem.

Exactly what I needed to know. Thanks Packy.

you have a 1" gate in a 3/4" line

when you 'eventually' replace the copper use a 'full port' 3/4" ball valve such as:



[www.plumbingsupply.com] (also as solder type)

Quote

Sometimes called “full bore”, a full port ball valve is a special valve design that allows for unrestricted flow when the valve is opened. Full port valves have larger bodies than standard valves. This larger body houses a larger ball and larger opening inside. Full port valves have openings the same size as the surrounding pipe.

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"Measure Twice & Cut Once" - Retired U.A. Local 1 & 638

When you get it fixed, check the copper to see if it was reamed. If it was, check the pH of your water.

Tom, not to add to your troubles, but galvanized plumbing sucks. I bought my house in 1994, and replaced all the galvanized in the walls with copper as we remodeled each bathroom. In 2015 the long galvanized runs finally started leaking in multiple places, so those got replaced with PEX. The hot line to the bathrooms was 80+% blocked with crud. Very glad now that the galvanized time bomb has been defused.