Why is copper a good metal to use for water pipes?

Answer 1

Copper is easy to use and work with. The minerals in water generally do not build up on copper as easily as on galvanized steel. After WWII copper was relatively cheap and available in great quantities so the Plumbing products industry changed to it as its standard pipe. Now copper is much more expensive and new materials such as plastics are being used.

Copper does not rust or perish easily, making it ideal for use in any climate. Copper is also heat and cold resistant and swells and contracts much less than other materials when its temperature changes. Copper resists damage from minor home fires much better than plastic.

Answer 2

Because it doesn't rust, it doesn't break down, and it doesn't cause any impurities in the water.

- More specifically, copper oxidizes into a stable compound, keeping it from corroding through. It also is naturally anti-bacterial.

The most important reason,though, is that copper is easy to work and shape with hand tools, a necessity to fit pipe into places inside houses and buildings. Copper can be brazed into joints with hand equipment, and cut with a small tool, rather than a large pair of iron shears.

Answer 3

copper has a natural antimicrobial property to it preventing bacterial growth. Also Copper pipe will not build up corrosion & choke off water flow as Steel pipe will. Copper Piping is also stronger than PVC Pipe and will not crack or break when struck.

Answer 4

Copper is better than galvanized steel pipe. -That's about the only good thing I can say about it. Copper is hard to work with, copper is prone to pinhole leaks, you have to make many soldered connections (and I work mostly in wooden houses where a propane torch can be dangerous)

Since PEX pipes became available, copper has little real use in domestic piping. PEX is cheaper, easier to work with, Has better quality fittings and is less labour intensive. - -Which is of course why the traditional plumbing industry hates it. Their purpose in life is to make plumbing sound like black magic and to rack up high labour charges.

Answer 5

It's a good heat conductor and doesn't rust.

Answer 6

Because it lasts and is very versatile and can be used for a variety of plumbing applications with amazing results

Answer 7

because if they used lead, u can get poisoned from it

Answer 8

Because at one time copper was plentiful and cheap. This is no longer the case and new plastics are taking the place of many copper pipes.