What Is the Difference Between Type L and Type M Copper Pipe?
The main difference between Type L and Type M copper pipes lies in their wall thickness and durability.
Both types are classified as rigid copper pipes, which are commonly used in residential plumbing for fresh water lines. However, their specific features make them suitable for slightly different purposes.
Type M Copper Pipe
Type M copper pipe, identified by its red markings, has the thinnest walls among the commonly used types.
Its thinner walls make it lighter and more affordable, which is appealing for budget-conscious projects. While it can be used in residential plumbing, it's also well suited for low-pressure applications like vacuum systems.
However, this affordability comes at a cost: reduced lifespan and reliability. Type M copper is less durable than other types of copper, making it prone to pinhole leaks and quicker deterioration over time.
Type L Copper Pipe
Type L copper pipe, marked by blue color-coded lettering, has thicker walls than Type M, providing greater durability and resistance to wear.
It's widely used for both hot and cold water distribution in residential and commercial plumbing systems. The added thickness of Type L ensures it can withstand higher pressures and resist external damage more effectively. Unlike Type M, Type L is available in both flexible and rigid forms, offering greater versatility for various plumbing needs.
At Repipe Specialists, we exclusively use American-made Type L copper piping for our full home repipes because it strikes the ideal balance between cost and long-term reliability. This makes it a superior choice for homeowners looking for a dependable plumbing system.
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How Thick Is Type K Copper Pipe Compared to Type L and M?
For a better understanding of how Type L and Type M compare, it's helpful to also look at Type K copper pipe, which has the thickest walls of all copper types.
- Type K Copper Pipe (Green): Known for its robustness, Type K (identified by its green markings) is typically used for high-pressure applications, such as underground service lines and fire sprinkler systems. Its thickness makes it the most durable but also the most expensive. This thickness also makes it unsuitable for standard residential plumbing.
- Type L Copper Pipe (Blue): Falling between Types K and M in terms of thickness, Type L is both versatile and durable, handling a wide range of plumbing tasks. It's the go-to choice for repiping fresh water lines in residential plumbing systems.
- Type M Copper Pipe (Red): With the thinnest walls, Type M is less resistant to damage and pressure, making it a less ideal choice for long-term residential plumbing needs compared to Type L, but still more versatile than Type K.
Both Type L and Type M are more effective for residential and commercial plumbing systems when compared to Type K copper pipes.
Is Type L or Type M Copper Better for Full Home Repipes?
When deciding between Type L and Type M for a full home repipe, Type L copper is the clear winner for its longevity, versatility, cost-effectiveness, and compliance with local building codes.
Why Choose Type L for Repiping?
- Longevity: Type L copper piping is designed with thicker walls than Type M, significantly reducing the chances of pinhole leaks and wear over time.
- Versatility: Type L copper is capable of handling hot and cold water systems with ease. Its robust design allows it to withstand higher pressures and varying temperatures, making it ideal for a variety of plumbing applications.
- Compliance: In many regions, building codes require the use of Type L copper piping for residential plumbing because of its superior strength and proven reliability. This ensures not only the safety and longevity of your plumbing system but also compliance with regulations.
- Value: While slightly more expensive upfront than Type M, Type L copper offers better long-term value by reducing the risk of future plumbing issues.
Investing in American-made Type L copper means choosing a solution that combines durability, versatility, and compliance, giving you a plumbing system that performs reliably for years to come.
Schedule a free in-home consult, and one of our local repipe consultants will explain all your Type L copper repipe options and provide you with a written, fixed-price quote.
Get a Quote for Your Home Copper Repipe
Here at Repipe Specialists, we've fully replaced the plumbing in over 60,000 homes since 1991. A Type L copper repipe will save you financially into the future (we back our repipes with a lifetime warranty). We continually get positive customer feedback from customers about their overall home repipe experiences. We often exceed their expectations on:
- Speed: Our repipe crews typically complete a repipe in a day, returning on another day for wall patching.
- Convenience: Through our One-Stop Repipe™ process, we handle everything from permits, to wall patching, to inspections.
- Cleanliness: Our crews are trained to protect your home while working (we cover all surfaces with protective sheeting), and to clean up fully at the end of each day.
- Peace of Mind: Repipe Specialists is a fully licensed plumber in every state we operate in, and we back all of our repipes with a lifetime warranty.
- Financing programs: To help take the sting out of unplanned repipe expenses, we offer several financing programs.
- Price: As a specialist that performs hundreds of repipes a week, we can deliver high-quality repipes at a lower cost vs generalist plumbers. Our quotes typically range from $4,500 to $15,000 depending on the size and complexity of your project. We have an article that covers repipe cost factors in detail.
Schedule a free in-home consult, and one of our local repipe consultants will explain all your Type L copper repipe options and provide you with a written, fixed-price quote.