Why is copper pipe used for plumbing?

Due to the increased shipping cost for pipe longer than four feet, we are unable to sell it at the absolute lowest price. However, we do sell soft copper tubing at discount prices for lengths over 10 feet. We offer this pipe as a service.

Standard copper pipe in 10 and 20 foot lengths costs a lot less (per foot). The "problem" with long lengths is the cost of shipping makes ordering long lengths out of practical reach. We are offering short lengths as a "service" which means we must cut the pipe by hand as well as package it.

It's for those that are repairing a very short length and do not want to drag home an entire length of hard copper pipe. If you need longer lengths then we suggest either purchasing those lengths locally or purchase our soft (in rolls) copper. The copper pipes shown on this page are hand-cut (which is very labor intensive - expensive).

Also, we have low shipping rates, and in most cases this method does not cover the actual shipping costs. Therefore, we've added some of the shipping costs to the price of the pipe. This is not a "perfect" solution and one could argue that we are charging "too much" for short lengths (we have to agree that it sounds too expensive), but we really aren't making much when considering ALL costs.

Type M is the thinner of the two and is quite common in copper piping done for residential homes throughout the U.S.. It generally isn't code to use type M copper underground. Some areas do not allow type M copper. When in doubt then it's best to buy the type L copper as it is thicker and code in all areas of the country for above ground piping.

Always check with your local code department. We cut the pipe into these lengths by hand and labor is expensive.