What Are Copper Pipes Used For?

What are copper pipes used for? We answer this and all of your other questions about copper tubes in our latest blog post.

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What are copper pipes used for?

Copper tubing is commonly found in use for heating systems and in hot and cold water transportation. Copper used to be really popular for hot and cold water supply, but it is slowly being replaced by PEX.

You can also find copper pipes as a refrigerant line in HVAC systems.

Both soft and rigid copper pipes can be found in homes and businesses around Australia.

Why is copper used for piping?

Copper is durable and corrosion resistant. It can also withstand high temperatures — this is why it was so popular for the transportation of hot and cold water. Copper is recyclable, meaning you can reduce your environmental impact by using it. Because of its durability, it is cost-effective to use this material for plumbing.

Types of Copper Tubing

There are two main categories of copper pipes.

Soft Copper – Annealed – Bendable

Soft copper tubing is a little more expensive, as it has to go through extra processes to make it flexible again. It is worth the cost because you can use this type of tubing to manoeuvre around any obstacles that are in the path of your plumbing.

Rigid Copper – Hard Drawn

This type of tubing is commonly used for water lines. It cannot be bent so you will need to use elbow fittings or copper tube benders to divert your plumbing around any obstacles. Or you will need to remove whatever is obstructing your path. You can treat rigid copper to make it soft.

Copper Connections

Rigid hard drawn tubing is joined together using connections. You can use capillary soldered, compression, flare, crimped or pressed connections to join rigid piping together.

What is the lifespan of copper plumbing?

What are copper pipes used for when they reach the end of their life? You can recycle this material and use it to make other things. But don’t worry, these pipes have a good life expectancy so you won't have to think about it any time soon.

On average, copper pipe can last for 50 to 70 years — in most cases, even longer.

Do copper pipes need to be replaced?

If your pipes are older than 70 years, you might need to replace them. These issues might cause you to install a replacement:

• corrosion
• leaks
• visible damage
• cracks

Spot fixing is the most cost-effective way to maintain your plumbing. There is no point replacing an entire system if there is only one connection letting down the team. Replace your copper tubing where you think it is necessary and preserve the rest.

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We hope you found our latest FAQs helpful.

Take a look at our complete range of copper tubing for more information. Plumbing Sales are the leading name in online plumbing supplies.