Everything there is to know about copper piping.

Copper piping has been widely used for different applications throughout homes and commercial buildings. Copper piping is mainly used for heating, cooling, and plumbing, but is also used in other areas as well. It’s extremely common for a home to have copper piping, however it’s not commonly used anymore because of many new and improved forms of piping being introduced to the industry. The newest types of piping for homes and commercial buildings is PEX for water supply and PVC for waste. These two piping materials offer a homeowner longevity, durability and safety.

The Advantages of Copper Piping

First, let’s cover the many advantages of copper piping and why it was so commonly used in homes from the 1950’s to the early 2000’s. Copper piping is lightweight, easy to work with, and fire resistant. It doesn’t contaminate the water or the environment and is resistant to bacterial growth, so it’s safe for drinking water. The benefits listed above is why copper piping was so popular for so long. However, over time it has been found that copper piping will corrode.

The Downfall of Copper Piping

Copper piping will begin to break down over time, especially when it’s exposed to other substances such as soil, acidic or hard water, and more. So while copper piping works well with water in thought, it doesn’t work well with water that doesn’t have a well balanced pH level. Over time the water will cause the pipes to break down and small cracks will begin to form. Once small cracks spread throughout the pipe work of your home, the water will begin to damage the drywall and wood work. Additionally, when copper piping is buried underground the soil will also cause the piping to corrode. Cracks are not usually detected until it’s very obvious that there is in fact a problem with the piping.

Quality of Copper Piping

There are different grades of copper piping which makes it more or less prone to corrosion and damage. There’s very low quality copper piping available on the market that will become a problem for a homeowner shortly after installing. Homeowners that choose the low priced copper piping will soon regret their decision. With that said, it’s important to do your own research when it comes to purchasing a home, piping your home, or remodeling.

The Danger of Older Copper Piping

Homeowners of old homes with the original piping and plumbing should be cautious with their water supply and get their home tested for toxic, harmful chemicals.

Today, copper piping is still utilized for certain jobs. It’s reliable, easy to work with, and offers quality results. However, as mentioned above, many plumbers are beginning to switch to PEX and PVC in some areas of plumbing work. Edwards Plumbing is a trustworthy, experienced, and knowledgeable plumbing company in East Stroudsburg and the surrounding area. Edwards Plumbing is here for you and your plumbing needs. Call today to discuss your plumbing project!