When compared with galvanized steel or CPVC pipes, copper plumbing offers significant advantages.

It is incredibly durable, easy and flexible to install, safer in natural disasters, resistant to weather and bacteria, and competitively priced. For decades, developers and builders have preferred copper plumbing for its dependability and solid value. Homeowners also prefer copper plumbing because it generally increases the resale value of homes. Since copper is a softer metal, it offers advantages over other metallic pipes. Copper pipecomes as tempered lengths that are hard, and annealed, or malleable coils. You have a choice as to the thickness of the tube. It is overall much thinner, while transporting a large volume of water, so contractors find it easier to install through narrow wall and floor spaces. Since it can bend, it requires fewer connectors and fasteners, saving hardware and installation costs. Copper plumbing ensures a clean, safe water supply. Lead has been removed from the manufacturing process so it no longer poses a health risk unlike with galvanized pipes. Copperis also biostatic, which means it doesn't allow bacteria t o grow. It carries potable water whose pH lies between 6.5 -8.5. The best application is in buildings connected to a municipal water supply, as a well -water source may be too acidic. Copper resists corrosion and is unaffected by ultraviolet rays, so it can be adapted for outdoor applications like sprinkler systems.

Unlike CPVC, or chlorinated polyvinyl chloride tubing, copper plumbing doesn't release toxic gases in the event of a fire because it resists burning. Temperature variation leaves copperplumbing relatively unaffected, although problems may arise when temperatures get very hot and pipes can burst if they freeze. Slightly elastic pipes flex in earthquakes, rather than snap and cause additional damage. Leaks are rar e. If something should happen, the universal system for fittings and sizes make it easy to augment or repair the problem. Such qualities reduce repair and maintenance costs sufficiently to make copper plumbing an economic, long-term investment. The material may initially cost more, but it often comes with a 50 -year warranty. That's unheard of with other kinds of pipes. It may not be as expensive as you think to choose copper plumbing. Copper is even recyclable, making it a more sound environmental choice th an CPVC.

Consideration s of Copper Plumbing

Benefits of copper pipe include:

y y y

y y y y

y y y y y y y y y

Proven, long-term durability in non-acidic installations Biostatic - does not support bacteria growth Very diverse material. Can be used for potable water supply, drain/waste/vent (DWV), natural gas supply, high-pressure steam and other applications Earthquake tolerate Very fire resistant; high melt point (1981F) is 5-times higher than CPVC Widely accepted by all building codes Contemporary US-Made copper pipe is 99.9% pure according to ASTM specifications (note that older copper pipe may contain higher amounts of lead). High rated internal working pressure (see Table) Ready for use with minimal delay Can be bent to avoid obstructions, minimizing joints Available in annealed (soft) and drawn (hard) versions for ultimate installation flexibility Small external diameter relative to CPVC - fits in tight places Joints are not bulky Long warranties available (up to 50 years) Preferred by most homeowners - can increase resale value of home Can be pressure tested in 10 minutes

Considerations of copper pipe:

y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y

Some report of "metallic taste" to water Can produce "pin hole" leaks in presence of acidic water Limited in some areas to use only when water pH is less than 6.5 - 6.8 (acidic) Can leach lead or copper into water supply Suitable for use when pH is between 6.5 and 8.5 Subject to jobsite theft Labor intensive installation process requires skilled plumber Calcium build-up can occur, constricting water flow Higher initial installed cost (labor and materials) Thermal loss - requires insulating jacket Condensation can occur if not properly insulated Noisy at high water velocities Subject to water hammer at velocities higher than 5 FPS; may require water hammer arrestors to mitigate damage Copper joints prone to failure at high temperatures (180F and velocities) Installation with gas torch is a potential fire hazard Repairs difficult for DIY'ers, requiring special training and tools Cannot make solder repairs with water in pipes Price of copper fluctuates over time depending on raw materials demand

Health Effects of Copper Pipe

Although the health side-effects of copper plumbing are relatively uncommon, the EPA lists copper as a contaminant in drinking water. The maximum permissible level is 1.3 mg/L. The Plumbing Manufacturer's Institute is aware of instances of copper-related illnesses. New copper installations, coupled with aggressive or acidic water can be a toxic combination. The acid pulls copper molecules into the water supply and can cause nausea and abdominal discomfort. Furthermore, older copper installations, including faucets, may contain higher levels of lead, including lead solder which was commonly used before 1987.

According to Fine Homebuilding Magazine, "although copper is resistant to corrosion, there are conditions that copper tubing doesn't like. They include hard well water; soft, acidic water; excessive water velocity or turbulence in the line; too much flux during installation; and what the Copper Development Association calls "aggressive soil conditions." Those who have had trouble with thinner-walled tubing may switch to type L or type K for longer service life." Copper proponents point out that this is not a "pipe" problem, but a water pH problem and that the source of the aggressive water should be rectified. However, this is not always practical, particularly with in many rural areas where wells are common. In severe situations, pH neutralizers are available which can treat incoming water to provide more benign conditions to copper pipe. Acid neutralizers for a single family dwelling are available for less than $500 and can treat incoming water with pH of 5.5-6.9, depending on model. Anything under a pH of 7 is considered acidic and should be treated. Calcite and Corosex are used to raise the pH of the water. Generally, a whole house sediment filter is recommend to be placed after treatment to remove unwanted contaminants. With respect to possible lead poisoning, much has been written about the harmful effects lead can have, particularly on young children whose brains are in a state of rapid development. Lead has been linked to learning disabilities and other side effects which are irreversible. If you suspect that your drinking water contains lead, have it tested by a certified laboratory. Testing of so called "first water", which is what comes out of the tap initially is compared to water which has been flowing for several minutes. Levels of lead are determined. Often, simply by running water for 20 seconds prior to drinking it is a good safety precaution if your pipes contain lead solder. Brass fixtures, particularly those made before 1987, may contain high levels of lead than permitted by current standards. The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) requires that after June 19, 1986 only "lead free" pipe, solder or flux may be used in the installation or repair of (1) Public Water Systems, or (2) any plumbing in residential or non-residential facility providing water for human consumption, which is connected to a Public Water System. Under section 1417(d), "lead free" as defined in the SDWA means that solders and flux may not contain more than 0.2 percent lead, and pipes, pipe fittings, and well pumps may not contain more than 8.0 percent lead. Cast fittings are made from Copper Alloy C84400 which consists of 81% Copper, 7% Lead, 3% Tin and 9% Zinc per ASTM Specification B584. Wrot Copper fittings are made from commercially pure copper mill products per ASTM Specifications B75 Allow C12200. Today, copper pipe made in the US generally conforms to very high levels of purity with virtually no lead or other minerals. The final product is called phosphorus-deoxidized, high residual phosphorus copper. It bears the designation C12200 under the Unified Numbering System (UNS) used to identify metals and alloys. This copper is 99.9%+ copper (Cu), and is of essentially the same purity as fire-refined copper produced from ore. It is produced to the specifications of ASTM B88. Studies sponsored by the International Copper Association indicate that copper contains certain beneficial characteristics with respect to bacteria growth. Copper is biostatic and does not readily support the

growth of bacteria. As a result, copper may offer certain advantages in reduced formation of biofilms and bacteria growth within the pipe. Materials Cost As of the time of writing, the following table compares the US list price Comparison of of CPVC CTS (copper tubing size) to traditional copper tubing. Prices CPVC to will fluctuate but this give a relative indicator of the price differential Copper Tubing between raw materials from two different manufacturers. In smaller sizes (1/2"-3/4") commonly found in residential applications, CPVC is 20-30% cheaper. In larger sizes (1"-2"), copper pipe is 10-18% cheaper. This analysis does not take into account cost of couplings or labor required to install either product. This table merely highlights that CPVC and copper are priced competitively with each other. Labor costs would typically swamp the differential in materials cost between CPVC and copper.
Item (per ft.) CPVC SDR-11 CTS Copper % Price Type M Differential CPVC vs. Copper

1/2" pipe 3/4" pipe 1" pipe 1-1/4" pipe 1-1/2" pipe 2" pipe

.61 1.11 2.24 3.35 4.42 7.50

.87 1.38 2.01 2.84 4.00 6.64

-30% -20% +11% +18% +10% +13%

CPVC price list: Thompson Plastics, Inc. as of June 2001. Copper price list: Cambridge-Lee Industries, Inc. Price Sheet # 42 Effective March , 2001.
Application of Copper Pipe

Product

Application

Temper Lengths Color Specifications

Water Tube Type K

Domestic Water Service Hard Fire Protection Soft Solar, Fuel Oil HVAC Domestic Water Service Fire Protection Hard Solar, Fuel Oil Soft HVAC, Natural Gas Domestic Water Service Fire Protection Hard Solar, Fuel Oil HVAC Air Conditioning Refrigeration Natural Gas Medical Gas Systems Air Hard

10 ft. C12200, 20 ft. ASTM B-88 60 ft.Coils Green Federal WW-T100 799 ft.Coils 10 ft. 20 ft. 60 ft.Coils Blue 100 ft.Coils C12200, ASTM B-88 Federal WW-T799 C12200, ASTM B-88 Federal WW-T799 C12200, ASTM B-280 C12200, ASTM B-280 B-819 C12200,

Water Tube Type L

Water Tube Type M

10 ft. 20 ft.

Red

ACR Tube (L cleaned and capped/degreased) OXY/MED Tube (K & L cleaned and capped/degreased) Refrigeration Tube

20 ft.

Blue

Hard Soft

20 ft. 50 ft.

Blue Red

Conditioning Refrigeration Service DWV Tube Drainage Hard

Coils 100 ft. Coils 20 ft. Yellow

ASTM B-280

C12200, ASTM B-306

Source: Cambridge-Lee Industries, Inc.

Working Pressure of Copper Tube

Plumbing Tube Data - Rated Internal Working Pressure for Copper Tube Nom. O.D. Type K Type L Type M DWV

ann'd 1/4" 3/8" 1/2" 5/8" 3/4" 1" 1 1/4" 1 1/2" 2" 2 1/2" 3" 3 1/2" 4" 5" 6" 0.375 0.500 0.625 0.750 0.875 1.125 1.375 1.625 2.125 2.625 3.125 3.625 4.125 5.125 6.125 855 935 735 610 705 545 440 410 355 330 320 305 300 278 278

drawn 1595 1745 1375 1135 1315 1010 820 765 665 520 605 570 555 517 520

ann'd 720 635 590 515 470 410 365 340 300 275 260 255 240 215 201

drawn 1350 1195 1105 965 875 770 680 630 555 520 490 470 450 404 376

ann'd 450 410 325 275 275 275 240 220 210 210 205 186 174

drawn 840 760 610 515 515 510 450 410 385 385 380 349 328

ann'd 260 235 175 125 120 121 118

drawn 470 420 315 230 220 227 223

Service temperature up to 200 F, S=4800 psi (annealed), 9000 psi (hard drawn) Source: Cambridge-Lee Industries, Inc. Either CPVC or copper plumbing can make a suitable infrastructure for reliable delivery of potable water. CPVC is best in situations where aggressive or acidic water is prevalent (pH less than 7) and there is no acid neutralization scheme in place. CPVC has been in use for over 35 years and provides reliable service assuming proper installation is observed. Although most model building codes now approve use of CPVC, always check with your local building department to ensure its compliance in your area. Some cities or states have specific restrictions on the use of CPVC. Copper plumbing is still king when it comes to market share and consumer preference. To avoid pin hole leaks and copper toxicity, copper pipe works best in neutral to slightly basic water conditions (pH 7.0 - 8.5). If installed correctly, along with attention to mitigation of water hammer and erosion due to aggressive water or soil, copper plumbing can last the life of the structure with little maintenance and overall long-term lifecycle savings. Builders Websource Technical Note 2001. All Rights Reserved. http://www.BuildersWebsource.com

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