What action should be taken if a small leak is found on a soldered joint on the hot water distribution pipe?

When a small leak is found on a soldered joint in a hot water distribution pipe, draining down the system and re-soldering the fitting is the appropriate action to take. This method is effective because soldered joints rely on the proper melting and bonding of solder to create a watertight seal. When a leak occurs, it typically indicates that the joint has not fully bonded or has experienced deterioration due to temperature fluctuations or other factors.

By draining the system, you remove the water from the pipe and joint area, allowing for a clean and dry surface for resoldering. This ensures that the new solder can effectively bond to the metal of the pipe and fitting, thus restoring the integrity of the joint and stopping the leak. Properly re-soldering also helps to eliminate the possibility of future leaks at the same joint.

This approach is superior to simply sealing the leak with tape or other temporary fixes, as those solutions do not address the root cause of the problem and are often short-lived. Additionally, ignoring the leak can lead to further water damage and more extensive repairs down the line. Replacing the entire pipe may be excessive for a small leak and could be more costly and time-consuming than necessary.