Post #3824102

2026-07-07 22:57 UTC

You need specialized tools to bend the copper pipes used in plumbing, and if you don’t, you’re using the wrong kind of copper or got scammed. They’re a bit more expensive than plastic options, sure, but they also have a 2-3 times longer life expectancy, and in good conditions, copper pipes can last over a century without issue. They may be heavier than plastic pipes, sure, but I wouldn’t classify a copper pipe as “heavy”, you know what I mean? Like, a child can carry around a few 10 foot sticks of 1/2 inch type L copper no problem. They’re more durable though, so they can actually support their own weight in a lot of situations where plastic pipes need extra support.

Replies (1)

@ranzispa@mander.xyz 2026-07-07 23:15

A 10 meter long 40 cm diameter copper pipe is quite heavy. If you have to dig the asphalt to fix something it isn’t that difficult to bend or perforate. Sure, you’ll break a plastic pipe as well in that situation, but that is quite an easier fix. Regarding how long they last, to be fair I have no idea. I’d imagine a PVC pipe can easily last some 30 years, I don’t know whether a copper pipe will last much longer. It could be I guess. What I can say, when I had to deal with copper pipes I was just happier to replace them with plastic pipes; much easier to work with. Want to take a section of the piping off to check what’s wrong? Very easy with plastic pipes, will take you a couple minutes without any tool. If you want to do the same with copper pipes most likely you have to cut them and then solder them back or attach them with some kind of fitting.

Open ##3824101