ALL ABOUT COPPER PIPING

Copper was the first metal manipulated by humans. We’ve been making things from it for at least 8,000 years and worked out how to smelt the metal by about 4500 B.C. 

Today Copper piping is used extensively throughout the building industry for heating or plumbing applications. But why use it over plastic pipes? And can it be used for drinking water? We’ve got some of the most popular copper piping questions answered below.

Why do we use copper pipes?

There are a few reasons why copper pipes are the preferred material for U.K. trades. Firstly, it is highly durable and resilient to cracks or splits. Copper is perfect for underground installations because it is highly resistant to corrosion from outside sources, and is completely impermeable. This means that anything dangerous in the surrounding ground such as petroleum or lead, is unable to get through a healthy pipe network through the supply. Due to this lack of corrosion it’s also very long lasting and can work perfectly for decades. Finally, copper can easily be recycled so offers sustainability benefits.

Is copper piping safe for drinking?

Copper actually has antimicrobial properties so is much better than other materials such as plastic, to carry drinking water and it can also reduce lead in the water of around 0.25%. Long term, if pipes are very old, they can release trace amounts of copper into the water system but this is very rare. It’s a good idea to run a tap for a few seconds before pouring a glass of water, just to avoid any stagnancy, but copper pipes are very safe to drink from for decades to come. Like any plumbing, we recommend you get it checked every few years just so it’s running at maximum efficiency and no deposits are building up.

Is copper piping affordable?

The answer to this question is yes. Of course, it is slightly more expensive than alternatives such as plastic but it’s the safest, longest lasting and most sustainable material to create a successful pipe network and therefore the better choice. It is available in different sizes, lengths and for different uses so it all depends on the job. At Lords Builders Merchants we have a huge range of copper piping and accessories, including joints for as little as 30p, all available today at trade prices.