Copper Plumbing

Copper tube is the standard plumbing material for potable water and heating systems in most European countries, and the preferred material of the professional plumber and heating engineer.

Historical Perspective

Copper tubes for conveying water were first used about the year 2750 BC. There is an example in the Berlin State Museum taken from the Temple of King Sa-Hu-Re at Abusir in Egypt. It formed part of a pipeline nearly 100m in length, made up of separate sections, each about 750mm long. The tube was folded up from a thin hammered copper sheet to a diameter of approximately 75mm and embedded in gypsum stone hewn out to a U shape.

The beginning of the Industrial Revolution saw an advance in the use of thick wall copper tube, which was jointed by means of screw threads. When the joints were being made they were sealed by the application of heat and tinman solder. During the early 1930s, with the advent of the thin wall or light gauge copper tube, other jointing methods developed; i.e. capillary and compression fittings; the cost of copper water services pipe-works became competitive with other materials, and a new era was opened to the plumbing and heating engineer.

Tried and Tested

Copper is a natural material - it has been used to make drinking vessels, water pipes, and containers for thousands of years. Because copper is bacteriostatic, it inhibits the growth of bacterial and viral organisms in water systems.

Copper components manufactured to European Standards are scientifically tested, fully accepted, and carry quality certification approvals world-wide.

Main Attributes for Plumbing and Heating Applications

Copper tubes and fittings can be used in every part of the plumbing and heating systems. Copper is strong, it can easily be formed into bends and systems can be assembled both on and off-site.

Copper's popularity is based on a combination of properties that make it unique. It is capable of withstanding extremes of heat without suffering any degradation. It is resistant to corrosion and high water pressure. It doesn't burn, it keeps its shape and strength in high-temperature environments and it gives long life in service.
In addition, copper piping gives excellent protection against contaminants to the domestic water supply. Nothing can get through no fluids, no germs, no oxygen, no ultra-violet rays - nothing. Copper plumbing tube does not absorb organic substances, and cannot be softened by them in service.

Durable Yet Recyclable

Copper is durable. It's strong and resists damage, so copper tubes and fittings can be relied on for decades.

Copper is completely recyclable without loss of quality, which benefits both the environment and the plumbing profession. Customers benefit too: their homes are more valuable with genuine copper plumbing, and, with more and more people concerned about the world's natural resources, choosing copper minimizes environmental impact because it is a fully recyclable material.

Good Value for Money

When you compare its price and performance, the total cost of a copper installation is very competitive. In the hands of a skilled installer, copper's engineering traditions give customers a durable, reliable system at a reasonable price.

Original Article