#Copper pipe install#

Unfortunately, it often happens inside the pipe, in which case you might not notice it until the damage is already done. Preventing corrosionĬorrosion in copper plumbing systems comes in many forms. There are a few things you can do to keep your copper pipes operating smoothly for years to come. That being said, no system is ever perfect. As long as it’s properly installed and isn’t being overstressed by acidic water or high pressures, you won’t have to worry too much about upkeep.

How do you maintain your copper plumbing?Ĭopper plumbing is nice because it’s fairly low maintenance. It’s not unheard of for copper plumbing in favourable conditions to last even longer than 70 years. Individual joints and fittings may fail and begin to leak sooner than the rest of the plumbing system. Acidic water could have pipes beginning to sprout pinhole leaks in a few short years. That can vary quite widely, however, depending on local factors water pressure, water acidity, and humidity are just three examples of factors that affect the lifespan of copper pipes. What is the life expectancy of copper plumbing?Ĭopper plumbing can normally be expected to last 50 to 70 years. There will be one set of copper pipes for hot water, and a different set carrying cold. The pipes run inside walls or underneath floors, carrying both hot and cold water throughout the dwelling. Individual lengths are joined together by soldering the ends into fittings, which couple them to the next length of pipe. The pipes can be cut or bent to fit where they need to fit. They are also referred to as drawn temper.Ĭopper plumbing is usually installed in long, straight sections. Rigid pipes are cheaper than their softer counterparts. They often need elbow fittings in order to turn sharp corners. They come in long, straight sections, and are more difficult to bend by hand. Not every size of pipe is available in soft form. Soft copper tubing may also be referred to as annealed temper, a reference to the metallurgic process it undergoes to make it pliable. It’s more expensive than rigid pipe, so isn’t commonly used in home plumbing systems, except perhaps in spots where the added flexibility is necessary.

#Copper pipe install#

Soft copper piping is easily bent, which makes it very easy to install in tight or crowded spaces. There’s one other way to categorize copper pipes: soft vs. Type M is much cheaper, but may not last as long due to the thinner walls, so consider the trade-off carefully if you’re installing new plumbing. Types L and M are both acceptable for residential plumbing systems, but some local building codes may specify that only type L be used. That isn’t the case the types refer only to different thicknesses of pipe wall. A common misconception – due to the aforementioned red and blue printing – is that type L is for cold water and type M is for hot water. Type L and type M are the two most homeowners will be concerned with. These aren’t usually used to carry water, and instead make up part of the drain-waste-vent system (D-W-V!) that allows air into plumbing systems. They’re often identified by red printing. Being thinner, they won’t hold up to as much pressure as type L, but they do tend to be significantly cheaper. Type M – thinner again, type M pipes are also used very frequently in residential plumbing.They can usually be identified by blue printing stamped on them. Type L – thinner than type K, but still relatively thick, Type L copper pipes are the most common for residential plumbing systems, especially in systems where the water will be under pressure.

It’s most commonly used for transmission lines outside the building, where it will be buried underground

Type K – this is the type with the thickest wall.

You can buy each type in multiple sizes, but the relative thickness will be standard. The different types are differentiated by the relative thickness of the pipe walls. There are four common types of copper pipe used for plumbing. In North America, copper pipes are standardized. Copper plumbing was also fairly inexpensive until recently, but the price of copper has increased sharply since the early 2000’s. It’s fairly easy to install, tends to last a long time, and can be used for both hot and cold water it’s no wonder that copper pipes are so popular. Modern copper plumbing, the type most of us have in our homes, started becoming common around the 1930’s. Copper plumbing is an ancient invention, dating back as far as 5,000 years to the earliest kingdoms of ancient Egypt. This versatile metal is used for everything from wires to cookware to roofs to jewellery, and of course: plumbing. Humans have used it for as long as 10,000 years. Copper is an elemental metal, easily workable, with high thermal and electrical conductivity.