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Lowe's
lowes.com › home › diy projects & ideas › buying guides › plumbing
Types of Copper Pipes - A Guide for Your Plumbing Needs
October 23, 2024 - They provide fairly reasonable power and fall under the medium-budget category. Type M copper pipes are perhaps the most used in most plumbing systems. They have enough corrosion protection for water lines and adequate durability for pressurized ...
Discussions

Why Use Copper Pipes for Plumbing?
Copper lasts. It outlasts almost all other materials because of its location in the galvanic series. It doesn't react with much of anything. Put another way, it won't rust. It is also easy, even pleasant to work with and the tools needed to cut and join it are simple. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/engineering
202
168
January 26, 2017
Is copper pipe still good?
Copper is great (I’d say the best) PEX is great and inexpensive PVC is most-likely illegal for anything other than irrigation More on reddit.com
🌐 r/Plumbing
50
15
January 30, 2018
Why do Americans use copper pipes for sanitary water ?
Unclear on translated terminology. In US, sanitary is typically interpreted as sanitary sewer piping. Water for drinking would be termed potable water. It sounds like OP is asking about potable water due to mentioning mainly using PEX. In US copper was the water piping of choice for decades because it was way better than the only other alternative if galvanized steel. There was a brief period 20 years ago where CPVC battled in the marketplace with copper based. Copper was marketed as the higher quality option. But now I’d say 90% of new plumbing is PEX in most of the US. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/Plumbing
12
4
September 2, 2020
When do copper pipes need to be replaced?
I think you are being fleeced! Copper naturally oxidizes over time but it is only surface patina. You should ask to see a cross section of the pipe to see if it is pitted or corroded. Copper is the best and can last for eons. Definitely get a second opinion and / or get your district home inspector to come and take a look. Copper is really valuable right now - he probably wants to cash in on stripping it out and re selling it! More on reddit.com
🌐 r/HomeImprovement
23
1
March 23, 2022
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Oatey
oatey.com › faqs-blog-videos-case-studies › blog › copper-pipes-plumbing-systems
Copper Pipes in Plumbing Systems | Oatey
Copper pipes, long a staple in plumbing systems, are well-known for their durability and versatility. With a history dating back centuries, copper plumbing pipes have proven to be reliable for transporting water and other fluids.
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WM Henderson Inc
wmhendersoninc.com › home › benefits & drawbacks of copper plumbing pipes
Benefits & Drawbacks of Copper Plumbing Pipes
May 17, 2023 - While other types of metal pipes such as lead, iron, and galvanized steel have faded out, copper plumbing pipes have stood the test of time because they don’t release dangerous materials into water. In addition, copper pipes are recyclable and are able to be installed outside. Copper plumbing pipes are easy for professionals to install since they’re not heavy.
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/engineering › why use copper pipes for plumbing?
r/engineering on Reddit: Why Use Copper Pipes for Plumbing?
January 26, 2017 -

This may sound stupid, but I'm generally curious. Why do we use copper piping for water, gas, etc.? I'm confused for the following reasons:

-Copper has a very high thermal conductivity. Is this not very bad for transporting say, hot water? Wouldn't the copper conduct the heat from the water more easily and dissipate it into the room? That seems like a waste of energy compared to a pipe material with a significantly lower conductivity that traps more heat in.

-Copper is expensive. There is definitely a cheaper material choice than copper.

-Frictional losses. I know copper doesn't have the highest roughness coefficient, but compared to something like PVC that has virtually none, why choose copper? It's also a minor waste of energy because it slows down the transport of fluid, causing the pump to use more energy.

Please clear this up for me. After taking my coursework at school I feel as if copper is actually the worst pipe choice.

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Plumbers-supply-co
plumbers-supply-co.com › 131517 › category › copper-pipe-tubing
Copper Pipe & Tubing | Plumbers Supply Co
12 results for "Copper Pipe & Tubing" · Copper Seamless Type L Water Tube, 3/4 in, 20 ft L, Lead-Free, Straight Length
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The Spruce
thespruce.com › types-of-copper-piping-844852
4 Different Types of Copper Pipe and How to Choose One
November 10, 2025 - Best for: Main water lines, underground installations. 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.
Find elsewhere
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Fenwickhomeservices
fenwickhomeservices.com › 4 types of copper pipes & their applications
4 Types of Copper Pipes & Their Applications | Fenwick Home Services
November 11, 2022 - Its primary use is for main water lines and underground lines due to its durability to withstand intense pressure. With an average thickness of .40 inches, Type L is thinner than Type K. Like Type K, it comes in both flexible and rigid options. It’s also the most commonly used type of copper pipe due to its enhanced versatility and flexibility.
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Coburns
coburns.com › copper-tubing
Copper Tubing
Versatile Applications: Suitable for carrying water, gas, and refrigerants, copper water pipes offer versatility across residential and commercial projects. Variety of Sizes: Available in a range of copper tubing sizes to meet specific project requirements, ensuring flexibility for any system ...
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Ohiobuckeyeplumbing
ohiobuckeyeplumbing.com › home › blog › what’s best: pvc pipes or copper pipes?
What’s Best: PVC Pipes or Copper Pipes? | Ohio Buckeye Plumbing
February 20, 2024 - Copper is a long-lasting and flexible metal that can be used to form pipes with very thin walls that are still very strong. It’s often a professional’s first choice, but there are some downsides like adding a metallic taste to your water.
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Copper.org
copper.org › applications › plumbing › water_service › why_copper.html
Why Copper
In fact, the history of copper delivering water goes back over 4,000 years. Ancient Egyptians used copper as a conduit material to distribute water around 2150 B.C. The ancient Romans used copper for water pipes and cisterns By the 1940s, copper became the most used material for plumbing in ...
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JustAnswer
justanswer.com › plumbing › g61z4-know-size-pipes-have-basement.html
How to Determine the Right Copper Pipe Size for Your Water Lines
To identify pipe size, measure the outside diameter (OD) of your copper or PEX pipes using a caliper or ruler. Common residential sizes are 1/2" or 3/4". SharkBite fittings correspond to these standard sizes. Ensure pipes are clean and free of burrs before cutting. Use a pipe cutter for a straight cut, then insert the pipe fully into the SharkBite fitting until it clicks.
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This Old House
thisoldhouse.com › home › all about copper pipe
All About Copper Pipe
Corrosion resistance: Naturally resists rust and other forms of corrosion · Durability: Copper pipe can last 50 years or more when properly installed · Heat tolerance: Performs well in both hot and cold water applications
Published   June 3, 2025
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The Freedonia Group
freedoniagroup.com › blog › copper-vs-plastic-pipe-in-potable-water-applications
Copper vs Plastic Pipe in Potable Water Applications - The Freedonia Group
January 18, 2023 - Plastic pipe began being used for residential and industrial water transportation in the 1960s. There are several varieties of plastic that have become commonly used for potable water, including PVC, HDPE, and PEX. One of the most common alternatives to plastic piping is Copper piping.
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Kinetics Noise Control
kineticsnoise.com › files › content › downloads › seismic › pipe_duct › Appendices › A2.5 Copper Water Pipe Data.pdf pdf
KINETICS™ Pipe & Duct Seismic Application Manual
COPPER WATER PIPE DATA · Table A2.5-1; TYPE K Copper Tubing – ASTM B88 · Tube · Size · (in) Tube · O. D. (in) Wall · Thickness · (in) Tube · Weight · (lb/ft) Water · Weight · (lb/ft) Tube · + Water · Weight · (lb/ft) 1/2 · 0.625 · 0.049 · 0.34 · 0.09 ·
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Beyond Wow
beyondwow.com › home › uncategorized › why copper is used in plumbing
Why Copper Is Used in Plumbing | Beyond Wow Plumbing
October 7, 2024 - Type K pipes: Type K copper pipe is ideal for major water lines and underground installations. We use type K for water, oil, and HVAC distribution as well as fire protection. We have rigid and flexible K pipes.
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Whyrepipe
whyrepipe.com › blog › what-size-copper-pipe-for-water-lines
What Size Copper Pipe Do You Need For Water Lines?
The wall thickness of a Type K pipe varies between 0.035 inches to 0.271 inches, depending on the nominal pipe size (NPS). Type L copper pipes are the most common type used to distribute water in residential buildings, considering the balance between its durability and price.
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CuSP
cuspuk.com › news › are-copper-pipes-safe-for-drinking-water
Are copper pipes safe for drinking water? • CuSP
June 10, 2024 - One of the biggest debates in the plumbing industry today is copper versus plastic pipes. When considering the safety credentials of each material, it is clear copper pipes are the best option for keeping drinking water sterile.