Should Copper Pipes Change Your Home Buying Decision?

Copper pipes mean it’s very unlikely you’ll face an expensive re-piping project in a home you purchase. For many years, galvanized steel plumbing was installed in residences. Unfortunately, these pipes have not stood the test of time and are now deteriorating and rupturing. Home inspectors usually recommend replacing galvanized steel to avoid water damage to the structure and contents of the house.

This can be a meaningful expense that should be taken into account when calculating the initial cost of any house you may be considering purchasing. Conversely, where copper pipes are already installed, that fact can be a positive indicator to take into account when making a buying decision.

Here are some advantages of copper piping in residential applications:

• Copper is the recognized standard for home plumbing. These pipes provide superior durability and are estimated to last at least 50 years. In fact, copper is the only plumbing material that comes with a 50-year warranty. Copper far surpasses old galvanized steel as well as newer synthetic alternatives which don’t yet have a proven service life expectancy.
• Copper resists rusting and corrosion that insidiously degrades the interior surfaces of steel pipes, leading to water leakage and damaging ruptures. Under typical municipal water pressure, a broken water supply pipe can inundate a home with hundreds of gallons of water per hour, inflicting expensive damage.
• Installation of copper plumbing is simplified because the material is light yet rigid and requires fewer support brackets. Spans of copper are easily and quickly joined with lead-free solder.
• Copper does not contain toxins such as glues or solvents that could enter your drinking water and pose a potential health issue.
• If you decide to sell the house in the future, a copper plumbing system can add value to your asking price.
• Copper piping typically outlasts the structure where it’s installed. Someday, when the house is demolished, the copper pipes can be recycled.

For more about the benefits of copper pipes for residences in the Coastal Bend, ask the professionals at CCAC.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Corpus Christi, Texas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 361-678-2495.

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