The Benefits Of Copper Pipes – As one of the most versatile and widely used metals around, copper has long been trusted as a safe and sustainable material for plumbing systems.
Since then other plumbing materials have emerged, but to this day copper remains the gold standard for plumbing.
The Benefits Of Copper Pipes
So, why is copper used for water pipes? And why is it better than other resources? Let’s dive in!
Copper Water: Basics, Benefits, And Downsides
According to the archaeological record the copper pipe was first used by the ancient Egyptians as far back as 2, 500BCE.
In 1994, archaeologists excavated King Sahure’s tomb and discovered a fine network of copper pipes, including a cistern for collecting rainwater and a water supply system for transporting water to many of stoneware.
There is little evidence of copper piping in other prehistoric societies, throughout the Middle Ages. It wasn’t until the introduction of industrial machinery in the mid-1700s that copper pipes could be manufactured on a mass scale and the quality standard for modern plumbing was satisfactory.
In the early 1900s, copper pipes were used in hot water systems as a replacement for lead pipes, which were known to corrode when exposed to soft water. The ban on lead pipes in the 1970s made copper the preferred choice for piping systems.
Copper Plumbing: Flowing With Confidence: The Benefits Of Copper Plumbing
Today, copper remains a material for piping and construction, supporting the transition to a circular economy in trade.
A unique combination of copper makes red metal perfect for plumbing. These properties include its natural resistance to corrosion and toxic substances, as well as its strong durability characteristics and ability to bend without breaking.
One of the greatest strengths of copper as a plumbing material is its natural antimicrobial resistance. Red metal is a protective layer for water supply lines, killing harmful bacteria and preventing toxic substances from leaching into drinking water.
This is why copper pipes are being chosen to replace toxic lead pipes across the UK. This is also the reason why medicinal copper pipes are used in hospitals, which help to maintain healthy air while being transported to the patient’s beds.
How To Maintain Copper Pipes For Longevity And Efficiency
Copper pipes not only protect against harmful bacteria, but are also resistant to rust and corrosion. Being a non-ferrous metal, copper does not contain iron, meaning it does not rust.
The oxygen atoms settle on the surface of the copper and combine to form copper oxide, which eventually thickens to form a protective layer. This special form of copper oxide, which has a very green appearance, is very helpful in protecting the metal from the elements.
Another important factor when choosing the right plumbing material, especially in new buildings and more complex installations, is flexibility. As a flexible material, copper can be easily bent to fit different shapes and sizes without compromising structural integrity.
This makes copper pipes ideal for plumbing that needs to be installed in tight spaces. This is also why copper is used to make the small, complex fittings that connect the different parts of the pipe.
The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Different Residential Plumbing Materials
Thanks to its mechanical strength and natural corrosion resistance, copper tools are ideal when it comes to withstand different stresses. Even when exposed to UV rays, cold temperatures, or high water pressure, copper pipes are unlikely to crack or break.
Generally, copper pipes can last a lifetime, and most good plumbers put the lifespan of copper pipes at 70-80 years. At the time, copper pipes required less maintenance and repair than most other plumbing materials.
Another great strength of copper is its high melting point of 1,085°C. This is much higher than the temperature of a house fire, meaning that copper can be relied upon to reduce the spread of flames in the event of a fire.
Not only that, but copper has a low thermal expansion coefficient, making copper pipes more stable when exposed to fire. This is an important issue for fire safety, because buildings can be damaged by the thermal expansion of pipe materials.
Know Why Only Copper Metal Is Used In Plumbing
As sustainability demands increase in the plumbing industry, copper pipes offer a ready solution for reducing emissions in the construction of new pipe materials as well as eliminating waste from old or ineffective plumbing.
This is because copper can always be recycled without losing quality. Whether it’s used in electrical wiring, plumbing or roofing, it can be reclaimed from the landfill, melted down, and recycled into new pipes, ready for reuse.
Today, most plumbers and homeowners looking to install a new plumbing system decide between copper pipes and plastic pipes.
Introduced to the market in the 1950s, plastic pipes have grown in popularity due to their low cost and ease of installation. Most new homes being built today are fitted with plastic pipes as standard.
Benefits Of Using Pex Pipe
However, evidence suggests that copper pipes perform better than plastic pipes in terms of safety, durability and stability.
Plastic pipes such as PVC, PEX and CPVC contain many chemicals, which are harmful to humans. When exposed to high temperatures, these chemicals spray into the water source. Copper, on the other hand, is a natural defense against harmful toxins.
In terms of fire safety, plastic pipes offer less protection due to the smaller metal area. To avoid this, various fire retardants are added to the plastic pipes. However, this makes piping design and installation more difficult and increases the risk of failure.
Although the lifespan of plastic pipes varies by material, the general consensus in the plumbing industry is that copper pipe will outlast most plastic pipes by 10-20 years.
A Guide To Copper Pipe Fittings For Plumbing
Not only that, but plastic pipes are more likely to need regular maintenance. The good durability of copper is a different debate over cost, with research suggesting that copper pipes cost less than plastic pipes over the product’s life cycle.
One of the biggest issues with plastic pipes is their impact on the environment. Unlike copper, plastic can be recycled for a number of times before it becomes unusable. In practice, most plastic pipes are incinerated or sent to landfill rather than being recycled.
Across all industries, only 9% of plastic waste is recycled. In contrast, more than 65% of copper mined since 1900 is still in circulation, but almost half of Europe’s copper demand is met by recycled materials.
From its use in ancient Egypt to the present day, copper has been a material that has been tested for plumbing.
The Piping Debate: Copper Vs. Cpvc
To this day, the red metal continues to serve as the best, the best for people and the world.
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