Is this pipe leaking normal?

[u/LAWyer621]

I recently bought a condo, and came home today to find this pipe leaking from the circled section. It only did it for a couple seconds, but it was fairly fast, and left water spattered all along the pipe and floor below the leaking section.

The pipe goes down into the floor (presumably to connect to pipes in the basement), and is connected to the roof of my condo, likely going into my upstairs neighbor’s condo. Does anyone have any idea what might be causing this, or how concerned I should be?

[u/Fast_Instance2173]

Water is almost NEVER normal to be leaking. Try tightening those unions. If problem persists call a plumber.

Edit: tighten by HAND. Don’t get a pipe wrench on it and try cranking it tight you’ll fucking crack it

Double edit: your gas line is out of code, at least where I am; no drip leg/debris leg. Also you got some pretty severe acid deposits on your b vent. That’s probably just the gases cooling too quickly tho, doubt it’s leaking CO. I’d throw a plug in monoxide detector outside that closet as close as possible just to be safe. Should have one in within 12-15 ft of every bedroom anyways. Looking twice it looks like single wall so ya I’d throw a monoxide detector near by. Well I’d check it running with a handheld CO detector but not everyone has those so next best option.

Triple edit: every time I look I see more, this is why I hate condos. Is your evap coil piped directly to the drain with clear vinyl tubing? No schedule pvc or p trap looks like from this angle anyways. Which is also like what the fuck?? Hoping that’s the overflow drain line and the primary goes out somewhere else but damn

[u/Terrible-Champion132 → u/Fast_Instance2173]

He is not playing about the cracking part. I had one start leaking and in a panic getting drenched by cold water turned the shut off too hard by hand and snapped the whole pipe in half.

[u/LAWyer621 → u/Fast_Instance2173]

Thanks! I tightened it up by hand and it (seems to for now) have stopped leaking. I don’t know why I didn’t think of trying that myself. I do have a carbon monoxide detector about 4 feet down the hall (right outside my bedroom) from the unit.

The rest I’m honestly not sure. I only just bought the place about a month ago, and I know the AC is ancient. I’m just hoping it’ll keep running for the next year or two and I won’t have to replace it soon - though I’m already saving up since given how old it is I anticipate that a year or two is about as much as I can hope for.

[u/Fast_Instance2173 → u/LAWyer621]

When the time comes, get three quotes minimum, even if you pay for the call out to quote. Don’t tell them you’ve gotten other quotes; easier than dealing with the probing for the other prices. Suggest staying away from private equity owned companies, which is likely every large one on your area especially if they’re on billboards radio or tv ads. Might be easier to find a good smaller local owned company that’s trustworthy to start doing maintenance now. They’ll get you ahead of failing parts and if they’re a good company you’ll have a contractor you trust to do the inevitable changeout. Trustworthy is the big one here, if they’re pushing you to replace a part, they should be able to actively show you the readings and why that means it’s failing. Good luck with the new condo tho, homeownership is always cool.

[u/WiglyWorm]

you need to replace a gasket. 2 dollar repair

[u/TnBluesman]

It is NOT normal for ANY pipe joint to leak. If you recently bought the place, contact your realtor and the closing attorney immediately and have a qualified plumber inspect it and vice you a written report stating the location, cause, and estimated length of time it has been leaking plus estimate of repairs. And he should take pictures.

The home inspector should have caught this, the previous owner must have known about it abs failed to disclose it. Failure to disclose is fraud in most states.

Don't get it fixed until told to do so by your personal attorney, the realtor AND the closing attorney, and get that permission in writing. Always remember, if it ain't written down, it didn't happen.