Copper Pipes have Antibacterial Properties I learned.

[James E Vining]

Not sure if anyone knows this but I have seen a couple posts where people are talking about removing teh copper water lines and replacing them with other Pipes (PVC, Galvanized, Etc)
I was surprised when watching How it's made or one of those shows on Science, History, H2 etc. They were talking about Copper itself and copper pipes and I had no Idea that copper has natural antibacterial properties in it, Which leads me to believe in a MH or Trailer it would be a extra benefit to keep the copper lines rather then replacing them with something else, I am sure there are other benefits too like ability to withstand higher pressures, holding up to colder temperatures (within reason I mean water in a copper pipe at -30F will burst I am positive).
Anyway it was just something I thought I would share it may change some peoples minds when they are debating replacing copper lines, I know I will replace any lines or repair them with copper rather then replacing them, plus I am learning how to Sweat copper connections which is actually quite fun and interesting, I tested my ability by building a test piece I can use with my garden hose to see how my soldered sweat joints hold up and if i have any leaks and so far they work great.

[Mental72]

When I was younger, I had a job as a plumber and everything back then was copper. I love sweating copper fittings for some reason. Someone left water in my RV and now I have a few places where the copper blew out that I have to replace. I was looking into some of the new materials, but keep coming back to good ol' copper. I never knew though, that copper had those properties, very interesting. Thank you!

[Stripe]

Can't beat copper...

[M & J]

True. Its a felony if you beat up a Copper.

[Lefty]

Copper also has the ability to absorb sulfur compounds that might be in your water. making the water taste a little bit better.


Btw- to sweat a fitting onto copper pipe, first sand the pipe and fitting with emery paper to remove the oxidation, you need clean, bright copper for the joint to seal properly. Then brush a small amount of flux onto the pipe and into the fitting.
Now, insert the pipe into the fitting, seating it securely.
Next, heat the fitting and pipe with a small torch, when the flux starts boiling away and smokes a little bit, remove the heat and quickly touch the solder to the joint. When it's at the right temp, it will melt instantly and be drawn into the joint on it's own.
Never use the torch to melt the solder.. this is guaranteed to result in a failed joint seal. If the fitting and pipe are hot enough, they will melt the solder on their own.

How this works:
When you heat up the pipe and fitting, they get hot enough to melt the solder... when you remove the torch, the pipe and fitting starts to cool. This cooling action creates a vacuum that draws the melted solder into the farthest reaches of the joint, creating a good seal. If you just try melting the solder into the joint by melting it with a torch, it will just sit on the outside of the joint, and not be drawn in.

[ClydesdaleKevin]

Big fan of copper myself.  Unfortunately, or fortunately at least as far as it goes...the only copper lines in our 89 Holiday Rambler are the propane lines.

Kev

[Mental72]

My Dad hardly ever gave out compliments, but when I redid their house from galvinized to copper, he's stand over my shoulder watching me sweat the fittings. Then he said he could watch me do that all day, it was beautiful. Kinda made me look twice at him, because that didn't sound like him at all.....

[Mental72]

What Lefty said was spot on, although I'd like to add just a couple tips. Most times I start heating the fitting on the opposite side that I'm going to first put the solder on, then as it heats I work my way around the fitting with the torch. It's like anything else, the more you do it, the faster and better you get. That and I always have a wet rag with me to wipe the fitting down after I solder. It gets rid of the excess flux that can turn your welds green, and makes it look nicer.

[M & J]

And use MAPP gas if you can. Gets hotter faster and the solder flows better.