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Copper Plumbing FAQs

Copper Plumbing Highlights

What are the advantages of copper plumbing?

Copper has some advantages that remain unrivaled by any other metal. And this has made copper one of the most sought after metal in developed nations today. Here are the reasons:

When you say soldered joints, will I require skilled manpower for installation?

Soldering is not a highly skilled job. It requires basic training to make a proper joint with copper. Our partners are associated with trained plumbers who will help you with the installations.

But copper sulphate, the green layer that forms on copper, is harm full for health. How can you recommend copper plumbing?

This is a misconception. The green layer that forms on copper is NOT copper sulphate, but a naturally occurring protective copper oxide layer called ‘Patina’. Patina is non-toxic and does not affect the quality of water at all.

Copper plumbing is extensively used in almost all developed countries across the world. Copper holds 80% market share in US, Australia and developed nations. If copper was indeed harmful and affected the quality of water then copper plumbing would not have been a market leader in these countries!

Can copper plumbing be used for concealed plumbing? What dimensions are copper pipes available in?

Absolutely! Copper is best suited technically for internal concealed plumbing, and can be concealed for both hot and cold-water applications. Copper tubes are available from 15mm to 159mm diameter pipes and in various tempers.

Copper pipes are soft. Can they withstand pressure?

Yes, there are soft copper pipes, but they are not used for plumbing. Copper pipes used for plumbing are often confused with soft copper pipes used in air conditioning and refrigeration applications. Copper pipes for plumbing are made to hard tempers according to relevant standards for usage and have excellent pressure handling capacities.

Since copper is a good conductor of heat, can I use it for hot water lines? Will it result in heat loss?

Like any other material being used for hot water lines, copper pipes also require insulation, which can be provided post-installation, ensuring the reduction of heat loss. In fact, copper plumbing is best suited for this application, as copper pipes have low co-efficient of linear expansion unlike plastics.

How can you say that copper plumbing is leak proof?

We all know that threaded joints are prone to leaks and corrosion. With copper, you solve both problems because copper plumbing is joined by a soldering process that is fast, simple, and leak proof. After the completion of the joint, a pressure test is conducted to ascertain any leakages in the system. This helps ensure a completly leak proof joint.

Why should I use copper plumbing, when alternate systems are cheap and are available across the street? My plumber is also comfortable with GI and plastics.

The usage of copper plumbing dates back to over 5,000 years and is still one of the best and proven plumbing systems of all. Copper plumbing systems offer unique benefits such as corrosion resistance, leak proof jointing, long life and low maintenance. Good copper plumbing systems have a life of over 50 years unlike conventional plumbing that will require changing every 15 years due to deterioration.

Do you have relevant fittings for copper pipes to be connected to other piping material such as GI and CP fittings?

Yes, all relevant fittings necessary for connecting copper to other piping materials and fittings are available.

I’m renovating my house. Can I install copper plumbing along with my external plumbing that is GI? Are they compatible?

Yes, copper can be used with any piping material even if GI is used upstream (from tank to the house). Copper pipes can still be used for internal applications and relevant fittings necessary are available to connect GI and copper plumbing.

How about plastics such as CPVC or PVC? They are cheap and also do not corrode.

While using copper for internal concealed plumbing for hot water applications, it is important that you consider the technical suitability of the product. Hot water applications require pipes with low co-efficient of linear expansion, which no plastic pipe can provide. Moreover, plastic pipes are fitted by means of threading, which means that the joints are prone to leaks. Needless to say, paying attention to technical requirements in initial stages can save you a lot of hassles later!

Costs of Copper Plumbing

What are the costs I will incur? It must be expensive…

No, copper plumbing it is not expensive. For a standard bathroom of 8 ft x 6 ft the extra cost on material, will be Rs. 600/- -800/-only, as compared to GI [galvanized iron pipes]. This tiny extra cost will be nullified in the long run as copper plumbing is leak proof and maintenance free. A properly installed copper plumbing system will last for over 50 years!

General info: a 8 x 6 ft standard bathroom will consist of following:

a) A hot and cold water line
b) WC with Flush Tank
c) Diverter or wall mixer
d) Hot and cold line for basin with mixer

Is copper plumbing a new concept in India? Has it been used anywhere in the country?

Copper plumbing is not a new concept in India; in fact, it was used during Colonial days in cities like Mumbai, a testimony of which is the copper plumbing system that is in excellent working condition in VT Station, Mumbai.

Moreover, many generations ago, Indians used copper for storing water since the metal is a natural inhibitor of bacteria. Did you know that copper inhibits the growth of bacteria like E-Coli ?

Top quality builders in important cities are using copper across the country; the metal is used as plumbing material in most star hotels and embassies in India. Here are a few examples:

Builders

Star Hotels:

Plumbing in a number of individual houses in large cities of India like Bangalore, Delhi and Hyderabad have been done with copper. The metal is also gaining acceptance in government departments and has been included in the schedule of rates of Andhra Pradesh, Road and Building Departments.

Are copper plumbing systems manufactured in India?

Yes, copper pipes are manufactured in India while fittings are imported. The manufacture of fittings requires high-end technology that is not available in India, thus the necessity for imports.

Are there Indian standards for copper plumbing?

The Indian standard that have been defined for copper plumbing tubes are termed IS14810. Plumbing tubes that meet these standards are available in India.

General Information

Here is some copper industry terminology that should help you find your way around:

Copper tube of 15mm is equivalent to ½ inch Galvanized Iron pipe
Copper Tube of 22mm is Equivalent to 3/4th Inch Galvanized Iron Pipe.

For more details :
www.copper.org
Copper Wire