What’s in Westview Water? Why It’s Causing Major Pinhole Leaks in Copper Pipes Across the North Hills of Pittsburgh

Whats In WestView water? Is It causing pinhole leaks?

If you live in the North Hills of Pittsburgh and you’ve had unexpected leaks in your copper pipes, you’re not alone. More and more homeowners in areas like Ross Township, McCandless, West View, and Franklin Park are dealing with frustrating and costly plumbing issues—especially pinhole leaks in copper piping.

These small leaks often appear out of nowhere, and once they start, they tend to keep coming back. Many of these homes are newer or still considered relatively modern, so why is this happening? What’s in the water that’s eating through copper pipes?

This blog is meant to help homeowners understand why these leaks are happening, what role water chemistry may be playing, and what options you have to protect your home.

What Are Pinhole Leaks?

Pinhole leaks are tiny, pinpoint-sized holes that form in copper pipes, often from the inside out. While they may start as a slow drip, they can quickly grow into larger leaks, leading to water damage behind walls, ruined ceilings, mold, and expensive repairs. Once one forms, others are likely to follow—especially if the conditions that caused the corrosion are still present.

Why Are Copper Pipes Leaking in the North Hills of Pittsburgh?

Many homes in the North Hills were built with copper plumbing in the 1950s through the early 2000s. Copper should last 40 to 60 years under normal conditions. But in recent years, we've seen a growing number of copper pipe failures well before that lifespan—sometimes in homes that are just 10 or 15 years old.

The pattern is becoming hard to ignore. In our experience as local plumbers, the common denominator seems to be the water supply—specifically water provided by West View Water Authority.

What's in West View Water?

West View Water Authority sources its water primarily from the Ohio River and treats it to meet federal and state safety standards. However, even water that is legally considered safe to drink can be chemically aggressive to plumbing materials like copper. Several factors in the treatment and composition of this water may be contributing to premature pipe failure.

1. Chloramine disinfectants

   West View Water uses chloramine—a mix of chlorine and ammonia—to disinfect its water supply. While effective at killing bacteria, chloramine is known to react with copper and may contribute to internal corrosion over time. To learn more about chloramine click here.

   
   

2. Fluctuating pH levels

   Even minor changes in water pH can affect how it interacts with metal plumbing. If the pH is too low (acidic), it can wear away the interior layer of protection inside copper pipes, making them more susceptible to pinhole leaks.

   
   

3. High water velocity or turbulence

   Homes with high water pressure or aggressive flow patterns—often caused by newer fixtures or sharp bends in piping—can experience erosion inside the pipe. This can thin the walls and lead to leaks.

   
   

4. Sediment and trace minerals

   Sediment in the water or trace elements like iron and aluminum can also contribute to pitting corrosion, especially in thinner copper piping.

While each of these elements may not be damaging on their own, the combination of them over time seems to be leading to premature failure of copper pipes across the North Hills.

Are Home In the South Hills of Pittsburgh Experiencing Pinhole Leaks?

Interestingly, we are not seeing the same level of pinhole leak problems in the South Hills of Pittsburgh. Many homes in areas like Bethel Park, Mt. Lebanon, and Upper St. Clair have copper plumbing of similar age and type, yet their pipes are holding up far better.

We believe the difference comes down to water chemistry. Homes in the South Hills are typically served by different water authorities with slightly different treatment methods and source water. As a result, their copper plumbing is not being exposed to the same chemical conditions that appear to be contributing to pipe corrosion in the North Hills.

For example, we recently repiped a home in the North Hills that was only 11 years old. It was built using Type M copper, which is a thinner grade of copper piping. The house had already developed multiple pinhole leaks throughout the plumbing system, and the homeowners had no choice but to replace all of the pipes. In contrast, we’ve seen South Hills homes with similar construction and materials go 30 or 40 years without any issues at all.

What Can Homeowners Do About Pinhole Leaks?

If you're a homeowner in the North Hills and you've had even one pinhole leak, it's a warning sign. Once corrosion starts, it rarely stops on its own. Here are a few options to consider:

1. Replace the damaged sectionIf your plumbing is mostly intact and you've only had one leak, you might be able to replace just the affected pipe. However, this is often a temporary fix and doesn't address the underlying water chemistry causing the problem.

   
   

2. Repipe with PEXPEX piping is a flexible plastic alternative to copper. It resists corrosion, handles freezing better, and has a longer lifespan under harsh water conditions. Many homeowners in the North Hills are choosing to repipe with PEX to prevent future leaks. If you want to learn more about the difference pex options check out our article on that here.

   
   

3. Install a water filtration or conditioning systemA water conditioning system can help neutralize harsh chemicals and stabilize pH, potentially extending the life of your plumbing. However, it’s usually more effective as a preventative measure rather than a fix after damage has already begun.

   
   

How Do I Know If I Have a Problem?

If you’ve made it this far in the article, there’s a good chance you’ve already had your fair share of sleepless nights—dealing with unexpected leaks, cutting open drywall to find the source, damaged flooring or furniture, and the stress of coordinating with plumbers and restoration companies. You’re not alone. We’ve helped many homeowners in the North Hills who’ve gone through the exact same thing.

But if you haven’t experienced any major issues yet, and you’re just trying to get ahead of the problem, that’s a smart move. The truth is, pinhole leaks often start small and go unnoticed until they become a bigger, messier issue.

Here are some common signs that your copper pipes may be at risk:

* Small wet spots on ceilings or walls

* Green or blue discoloration near pipe joints or under sinks

* A sudden or gradual drop in water pressure

* Discolored water or a faint metallic taste

* Multiple leaks in different areas of the home, especially within a short timeframe

Pinhole leaks are sneaky. They often show up behind walls, in ceilings, or in finished basements where you don’t notice them until there’s significant damage. And what’s worse—once you have one, others tend to follow. That’s because every time a plumber drains your system to repair one leak, the water pressure is removed from the rest of the pipes. When the system is refilled, that sudden surge in pressure can expose the next weak spot.

It becomes a never-ending game of whack-a-mole—but instead of a mallet and moles, you’re dealing with plumbing repairs, water damage, insurance claims, and costly restoration work.

If even one of these warning signs sounds familiar, it’s time to get your plumbing system professionally inspected. A licensed plumber can perform a full evaluation, including a pressure test and visual inspection, to determine whether your pipes are on the verge of failure—or if you still have time to act before disaster strikes.

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Final Thoughts

The water in the North Hills is legally safe to drink—but that doesn’t mean it’s friendly to copper pipes. Whether it’s the disinfectants, pH levels, or other factors in West View Water, the pattern is clear: homes in this area are experiencing copper pipe failures far more frequently than other parts of the city.

If you're living in the North Hills and dealing with unexplained leaks, don't ignore the signs. The longer you wait, the worse the damage can become. And if your home was built between the 1990s and early 2010s, there's a good chance your plumbing was done with Type M copper, which is more vulnerable to pinhole leaks.

At Revelation Plumbing, we specialize in helping homeowners identify and fix plumbing problems before they become full-blown disasters. From camera inspections and leak detection to full home repiping, we’re here to help you protect your home and avoid costly repairs down the line.

Call us today at 412-518-7170 to schedule a plumbing evaluation or request a quote online.

Let us come to the rescue—before your pipes make the decision for you.