If I'm trying to do the best job possible, which type of copper pipe do you all use regularly? is type M too thin for most applications? is type K prohibitively expensive, hard to work with or just unnecessary for general applications? is type L the Goldilocks of copper pipe or do I have it all wrong? I'm gonna do a short 3/4" run under a house and then some 1/2" for toilet and shower supply lines. What should I use? not concerned with price as much as I am with doing a good job. Thanks all for your time and input, this sub has been a wealth of knowledge

Im swapping out original copper water lines with new copper while I already have a few walls opens. I haven’t cut into the old lines yet to determine whether it’s type M or L and there isn’t printing on the pipes indicating it, but the question is this. If I upgrade what I currently have access to, to type L for longevity purposes, am I going to have issues with flow restriction? Any issues with mixing in type L if the original is type M?

The copper on the left is a 1/2 cut out I have from a new angle stop install. The copper on the right is 2’ stick of Type M copper I bought from Home Depot a few months ago. The cooper on the left looks much thicker, however, I took my cut out (on the left) into Home Depot to compare to actual Type L and it looks thinner and closer to the Type M on the shelf. Do I have Type L with some wear of the inner walls (it’s an old house) or do you think I have Type M but the piece I bought on the right is just extremely thin? Thank you!

I've recently learned that you can bend hard drawn copper.

Why isn't it more popular?

I recently found a leak in my water main service line and need to get it replaced. The company I'm talking with has suggested underground directional boring to prevent digging up the yard and has given me a quote for a Type L copper replacement pipe. When I asked him to do Type K instead he said that it may not be possible to do that with a directional bore because Type K is too hard. Is this accurate? I have a quote from another company that will use Type K, but they won't do directional boring, they will go the regular excavating my yard route. Any suggestions on which way I should go here?

I remodeled my house a decade ago, but the contractor cut corners and left some old galvanized pipes.

I'm having it re-piped, but I'm getting quotes saying they'll use and replace existing copper pipes with type L. Is that necessary or useful?

Just bought a 1960 home. There is no tap in the front yard?!? The water main comes in the basement near where a hole exists though. I want to tie in a line to the main and add a spigot. I bought type M because it was cheapest, then realized the rest of the house is L. I've read anecdotes that this is okay to mix, but will there be an issue with water hammer from using a sprayer nozzle on a hose? Will there be any stress on the pipe from the hose on the tap that would strain the thin pipe? The spigot will be screwed to the wall, but we've all seen those come loose eventually.

I just had a 3rd plumber come out to give me an estimate to replace galvanized and he said they use type M copper. The other 2 said they use type L copper. I'm pretty sure type M isn't even allowed here (Chicago).

Do you think type M is fine for residential supply? He said they could do type L if I really want but it would be "probably $800 more.". He said M is fine and will last 50 years+. Still waiting for his overall quote to compare with the other 2, but I think he will be the lowest bid.

For what it's worth my whole basement is exposed ceiling (easy repairs), but it may be finished eventually.