What are the advantages of copper pipe?

Copper pipe has long been seen as the gold standard when it comes to plumbing and there are many reasons why this is the case. Here we will take a look at why copper pipe continues to be the premium choice.

Benefits of Copper Pipe

Copper pipe is the superior choice for sustainability, safety, and quality. It is renowned for its exceptional corrosion resistance and durability and offers natural anti-microbial properties. Copper pipe can also be recycled almost indefinitely and doesn’t lose its beneficial properties during this process.

It can also withstand extreme pressures, temperatures and exposure to oxygen and UV. This means that it can be used in a myriad of environments and for a wide variety of different purposes.

Environmental Benefits

Sustainability is a key word in the modern world and copper pipes are a perfect fit in this conscientious environment. It is believed that around two-thirds of the copper made since 1900 is still being used today. You can read about this on the National Library of Medicine website here.

In Europe, around 50 per cent of the copper used is recycled and this could grow further. This compares to plastic pipes in a world where only about 9 percent of plastic waste is currently being recycled.

Superior Safety

Safety is a primary concern and copper pipe is the safest choice. It is renowned for its thermal resilient properties and its ability to withstand fluctuating temperatures. This means it won’t burn, melt, or emit toxic fumes in the case of fire, for example.

Its strength and durability also mean that it will not allow soil contaminants such as pesticides into drinking water or leach MTB, which is a by-product of petroleum found in some plastic pipes.

In fact, there is evidence that copper pipe can support good health. Its natural antimicrobial properties discourage harmful organisms from growing and it doesn’t emit synthetic compounds and contaminants.

Lifetime Benefits

The general consensus amongst plumbers is that copper pipe lasts around two decades longer than plastic alternatives. Copper itself can last for hundreds and thousands of years.