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Copper Pipe Versus Plastic Pipe

Last Updated on Wednesday, 12 May 2010 19:27 Wednesday, 12 May 2010 00:00

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Articles - Water Supply Lines

Copper pipe is far superior to any plastic on the market. Copper is a permanent installation that almost never needs repair. Plastic pipes need to be hung and supported excessively so that the pipe does not bend. Some plastic pipes can become brittle over time. Plastic pipes require adhesive and take longer to dry than soldered copper pipe. Copper does not corrode or become brittle. Some plastics are susceptible to damage from chemicals that are used to treat are drinking water such as polybutylene. The chemicals used to treat drinking water such as chlorine is a drying agent. Over time this drying agent pulls the oil from the plastic water pipe and fittings. This causes the fittings to shrink, and the crimped joints fail. The crimped joints cannot adjust to the shrinking pipe and fittings and suddenly leak. There are some cases where the pipe actually splits and creates an catastrophic leak.

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