Copper Pipe

Copper

 Copper is a chemical element and a soft, malleable and ductile metal with very high thermal and
electrical conductivity. It is the ideal material for plumbing, heating, gas and fire sprinkler
pipework systems. Its color is pinkish-orange.

Copper Pipe

 Copper pipe are made of small diameter. Since copper does not admit rust, so these pipes are
durable. These types of pipes are generally used to carry hot water or steam. They do not bend
or sag even at high temperature.
 Copper pipes are commonly used in the construction industry for water supply lines and
refrigerant lines in HVAC (heating, cooling, and air-conditioning) systems.
 Copper piping for water pipes will not deplete or consume copper supplies and has a lower
impact on the environment. However, the initial cost of copper water pipes may be higher but
its durability makes it an excellent long term value.

Copper Pipe Sizing

 Outside Diameter - 1/8 inch larger than the nominal size.

 Inside Diameter - is determined by the wall thickness of the pipe which varies by the pipe type.
 The internal or external fluid pressure may determine the type of copper piping specified for
any application, the installation, the service conditions, and the local building code
requirements.

The Common Types of Copper Piping

1. Type K Copper Pipe – has the thickest wall of all the common types. It is used for water
distribution, fire protection, oil, HVAC, and many other applications in the construction industry.
- It is recommended for main water lines and underground installations
- Not approved for use in natural gas applications because the gas environment can damage
the joints of the pipes.
2. Type L Copper Pipe - used for interior plumbing, fire protection, and some HVAC applications.
- Flexible Type L copper can be used to repair or replace old water lines, although rigid tubing
is more durable.
- can be used outside the home where it will be directly exposed
3. Type M Copper Pipe - Copper pipe type M wall is thinner than both type K and L copper.
- Sold in both rigid and flexible forms, Type M is used most commonly for domestic water
service and vacuum systems.
- Type M tubing is favored for residential work for its relatively low price; a thinner wall
means less copper and thus a lower price. Type M copper is not allowed by plumbing codes
in all areas and applications.
4. Copper DWV Piping - Copper pipe for plumbing drains and vents was used in many old homes
and has been all but replaced with PVC or ABS plastic pipe in modern construction.
 - It is suitable only for above-ground applications and has a low-pressure rating of 10 to 15
pounds per square inch (psi), much lower than the water pressure of most municipal water
supply systems.

Advantages of Copper Pipes

 Impermeable - Unlike other materials used for service lines, copper is completely impervious—it
keeps outside chemicals from contaminating the water system.
- Chemicals such as petroleum products may be spilled on nearby streets and insecticides and
fertilizers intentionally spread on yards—places where service lines are located—can
permeate through the walls of plastic service lines, weaken them and contaminate the
water within.
 Long Lasting and Reliable - The properties of copper piping, what is in it, what can leach from it,
the associated potential health and safety effects, and how leaching can be controlled are
quantified and well-known.
- Copper is safe, reliable and long-lasting—these properties added together represent the
best, most cost-effective choice over the lifetime of critical underground water
infrastructure.
 Durable - Copper is the most dependable and most used material for plumbing tube in the
developed world. Copper is beneficial in underground applications because it is highly corrosion
resistant in most underground environments
 Sustainable - A properly designed and installed copper system is built to last, but when it's time
to replace the line, copper can be recycled into another pipe or product without any loss to its
beneficial properties.
- Its long life cycle, combined with its ease of recyclability back to the same metal purity (not
downcycled to a lower purity or lesser use, like many plastics) makes copper a truly
sustainable piping material.
 One of the main strengths of copper is that it won’t degrade in UV light. Unlike plastic pipes
which are only for indoor use, copper pipes can be used in areas exposed to natural light.

Disadvantages of Copper Pipes

 Copper piping is expensive. It can cost 10 to 15 times more when compared to other types of
pipe.
 Copper may also freeze easily.
 If your home runs on well water, copper pipes could have problems if the water is acidic.
 In addition, copper pipes in new homes may have a problem with copper working its way into
the water that you drink. When water stands idle in the pipes, the copper can leach into the
water
 New copper pipes often leach more than old ones. Old pipes have a coating from years of hard
water running through them. The coating of minerals keeps copper from contaminating the
water.
 Old pipes aren’t foolproof, however Copper used to be joined with solder containing lead. The
lead can foul the water. In addition, should the water’s pH balance change, mineral buildup can
dislodge.