During a routine inspection of a commercial building, you notice a constant drip from a section of exposed 50 mm copper supply line. The drip appears to be originating from a pinhole in the pipe itself, not a fitting. The pipe carries potable water at 400 kPa. Which temporary repair method is most appropriate and safest until a permanent repair can be made?

Question: During a routine inspection of a commercial building, you notice a constant drip from a section of exposed 50 mm copper supply line. The drip appears to be originating from a pinhole in the pipe itself, not a fitting. The pipe carries potable water at 400 kPa. Which temporary repair method is most appropriate and safest until a permanent repair can be made?

Answer options:

• Applying epoxy putty directly to the pinhole.
• Wrapping the area tightly with self-fusing silicone tape. ✅ Using a hose clamp with a rubber patch over the pinhole.
• Soldering a patch directly onto the live pipe.

Correct answer: Using a hose clamp with a rubber patch over the pinhole.

Explanation: For a pinhole leak in a pressurized copper pipe, a hose clamp with a rubber patch provides a good, immediate temporary seal by compressing the patch against the hole. Epoxy putty might not hold well under pressure, self-fusing tape might struggle with the pressure over time for a direct pinhole, and soldering on a live, leaking pipe is unsafe and impractical.