Water Service: Copper
Water service systems include the connection, piping and associated valves and accessories that...
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Copper is a long lasting, corrosion resistant, lightweight and strong material that involves...
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Benefit of Material to Systems Application
The characteristics of lightweight copper tubing make it an excellent, durable choice for use in water service systems, and it was for many years the preferred material for this application. It is approved for water service applications. However, copper water services are not as common as they once were in small sizes, 1” and down. High density polyethylene (HDPE), CPVC and other plastics are gaining popularity for water service applications due to their lower cost, their resistance to corrosion and other soil-related problems.
System Application and Material Usage
Water service systems are typically installed with Type L copper tubing, because it offers more thickness than type M and is less expensive than Type K, which is the thickest walled and usually reserved for high pressure riser or buried applications where its increased strength and wall thickness are required. For a water-service pipe, soft, rolled copper is normally used. By using coiled copper, plumbers can normally roll the tubing into the trench in a solid length, without joints, reducing the risk of leaks.
Joints may be soldered, brazed, roll grooved for use with a mechanical coupling (only Type L, K, DWV), flanged, or other mechanical joining methods.
Solders having greater than 0.20-percent Lead (Pb) content are prohibited from use is potable water systems. Where local codes permit, use alloy Sn50 only for NON-potable water applications. DO NOT use for any piping that may come in contact with potable water system.
Because copper is readily formed, expansion loops and other bends are quickly made by simple hand tools employing mandrels, dies, forms and fillers, or power operated bending machines. Both annealed tube and hard drawn tube can be bent with the appropriate hand benders. The proper size of bender for each size tube must be used.
Manufacturers and Suppliers Participating in OPUS
ANVIL International
- ANVIL International offers a full line of domestically produced iron fittings, steel nipples,......
(click for details) Cerro Flow Products LLC
- Cerro Flow Products is a manufacturer of world-class grade copper tube for the plumbing, HVAC,......
(click for details) Elkhart Products Corporation
- EPC is part of Aalberts Industries N.V. and enjoys the distinction of being one of the world's......
(click for details) Embassy Group LTD
- Embassy Group Ltd. is a 100 percent member-owned, 3.2 billion dollar corporation consisting of......
(click for details) F.W. Webb Company
- F.W. Webb Company is a multi-faceted distributor of Plumbing and Heating, HVAC and Controls,......
(click for details) Ferguson
- Ferguson specializes in plumbing and heating, industrial pipe, valves, fittings, underground......
(click for details) Mueller Industries, Inc.
- Mueller Industries is the leading U.S. manufacturer of copper tube, copper fittings, and plastic......
(click for details) NIBCO INC.
- Founded in Elkhart, Indiana in 1904, NIBCO INC. is a leading provider of a diverse range of flow......
(click for details) Tyco/GRINNELL Mechanical Products
- Tyco Fire & Building Products manufactures the Grinnell® line of grooved products......
(click for details) Victaulic
- Victaulic is the world's leading manufacturer of mechanical pipe joining products. For over 80......
(click for details) Viega LLC
- Founded in 1899, Viega is the only manufacturer to offer press fitting solutions in multiple......
(click for details) Weldbend Corporation
- Weldbend Corporation is a manufacturer of carbon steel welding fittings and forged steel......
(click for details) WinWholesale, Inc.
- WinWholesale is comprised of over 550 wholesale distribution locations that sell high-quality......
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Applicable Joining Methods
Brazing
- Brazing is a joining process that produces coalescence of metals by heating the components to a...
(click for details) Flanged
- Flanging maybe used for threaded or plane-end pipe. After a flange component is installed on the...
(click for details) Grooved
- Grooved pipe joints consist of two grooved pipe ends (typically roll grooved) connected with a...
(click for details) Mechanical
- Used for ductile iron pipe, the mechanical joining method consists of a number of components...
(click for details) Solder
- Soldering copper pipe, or “sweating” as it is called in the trades, joins the pipe...
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