Posted: 1/30/2007 4:34:48 AM EDT
| i am in the process of adding a bathroom and need copper pipe for the water lines. i noticed they sell a type L and a type M. other than the type L being thicker is there any other difference. thanks to all that respond |
I stand corrected  This from a web search...Copper pipe is available in three basic types: Type M is a thin walled pipe. It is the most common type of copper tube sold, used mainly behind walls inside homes to route water from the service line and water heater to the fixtures. Trunk lines are typically run in 3/4-in. type M copper with 1/2-in. type M branching away to serve individual fixtures. Type 'L' (hard or soft) for thicker wall tube, considered standard piping for use for water services inside and out, especially outside or wherever the pipe will be exposed. Type 'K' (hard or soft) the thickest, used mainly between water mains and the meter, for heavy-duty vacuum pump lines and underground lines. |
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The beefier Type L is often used underground, in hot water heating systems, for commercial plumbing and for gas line (where permitted). Most plumbers use the less-expensive Type M for residential projects: One told me, “Type L pipe will last 300 years and Type M only 250. Acidic water with a pH of 7 or less can be hard on copper pipe. If you have a well and find out from testing that the water is acidic, you may want to use the thicker-wall Type L pipe. |
BBBZZZTTTT wrong answer. M is the thinnest less expensive,perfectly fine for indoor piping L is thicker,more expensive,also fine for indoor piping K is the thickest and is also available in a soft form for underground use. |