The Use Of Copper In Plumbing Piping

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Last updated Wed 16 Mar 2022

In modern plumbing, copper is used extensively for a variety of purposes. While it is used in various electronic and mechanical plumbing components, copper is also used extensively to make piping. Copper has been used to make piping for centuries, and while the Ancient Egyptians and Romans used the material due to its common availability and the limited technologies of their time, copper remains a popular material today due to some more complex reasons.

The Age Of Replacement

Across the Western world, many major cities and towns have stood for at least a century, if not longer. As some elements of plumbing, such as sewerage systems, only entered popular use in the early twentieth century, many of these towns and cities were still installing brand new plumbing infrastructure at the time.

Now, however, there are many places where that same plumbing infrastructure, once brand-new, has become outdated and must be replaced. This may be due to physical failures in the infrastructure, such as burst lines, or it may be a more inherent problem, such as those faced by any remaining lead pipes still in use. While there are still new plumbing installations made every day, the world must start to consider how best to replace their old piping, and copper provides a low-cost upgrade in most cases.


A copper pipes joined in a t-shape.

Durability

Even though PVC and other plastic piping solutions have proven to be cost-effective and easy to deploy, copper is still used extensively throughout the Western world becomes it provides a durability that is hard to match at its price point while also continuing to provide reliably clean water.

When compared to its plastic rivals, copper is significantly more durable, making it an excellent choice for any pipes that will need to be buried somewhere that will be difficult to service, such as pipes that will be placed substantially below the surface or directly underneath a building. Lead pipes can offer similar durability in these conditions but are banned in most countries due to the risk of lead poisoning, while galvanised iron pipes are more prone to corrosion which can result in these difficult-to-reach pipes requiring regular maintenance.

Copper piping is more durable than plastic pipes thanks to a variety of natural properties. The physical stress created by the weight of the soil above the piping can, in some circumstances, prove too much to an aged plastic pipe, whereas copper pipes can withstand the same stress for decades without complication. Additionally, neither oxidants nor UV radiation will result in any damage to the copper piping, while in some circumstances, these same conditions may result in a decreased lifespan of comparative plastic pipes.

Finally, some plastic pipes can also be permeable or semi-permeable, which means some materials and containments are able to leak into the pipe from the outside. This is particularly an issue for any pipes that handle drinking water, as any fluid spilled on the property, such as petrol or insecticides, may then leak into the water supply and will then present a health risk to the property owners. Much like other pipes made of metals, copper piping is entirely impermeable and will, in most cases, avoid leaching material into the water, making it a safer option in these cases.


A selection of copper fittings

Sustainability

Copper can be considered relatively sustainable for the plumbing market, from both a value perspective and a material perspective. When copper pipes are recycled, the raw material can be used to create another pipe of equal functionality and versatility, while recycled plastic pipes generally become lower quality with each complete lifecycle.

Similarly, copper pipes typically do not lose large amounts of their value over the course of their lifetime, if at all. The cost of a copper pipe is generally directly tied to the weight of the pipe and the market cost of copper, with many pipes surrendered for recycling offering about 80-90% of the cost of a new pipe as profit.

Complications

There are some circumstances in which copper piping can either fail or lead to health complications: namely in the leaching of material from the tube wall or from the development of pinhole leaks along the piping.

While copper is impermeable, in some circumstances, the copper itself may leach into the water. The risk of copper poisoning may not be as high as that of lead, but the resultant illness can still be fatal, which means all copper piping should be regularly maintained and replaced to avoid any cases of poisoning.

Similarly, while copper is usually extremely corrosion-resistant, the material may still become corroded over a long enough period, ultimately resulting in a phenomenon referred to as 'pinhole' leaks, wherein the copper piping springs an initially tiny leak, from which pours a hard-to-detect volume of water.

Copper may fall victim to corrosion sooner than expected due to a variety of factors. For one, the water may be too hard due to the presence of dissolved minerals, or it could be either too basic or acidic (a low pH or a high pH, respectively). Alternatively, it may not be a problem with the water itself, and it may instead be a case of sand or grit being present in the water and rubbing against the piping, corroding it.

No matter where the leak comes from, while it is slow initially, it will speed up with time, which means all pinhole leaks are best addressed early. If you don't, you may be faced with a pipe that is leaking a significant amount of water, increasing your water bill while doing extensive damage to other parts of your property.


A copper pipe being fitted

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