
Soft Copper Tube "Type UT"?
- "UT" = utility tubing. It's used all the time for your application.
- As long as it appears undamaged and not horribly corroded, it'll be fine. I've seen all sorts of copper tubing 50 years old and older in daily use.
- Flared all day long.
- Polyethylene tubing is better where movement will be expected (like from wall to back of fridge).
What are the different types of copper tubing?
Factors That Affect the Variety of Copper Pipes
- Sizing. Copper pipe sizes are referred to by their Inside Diameter or ID. ...
- Pressure and Use Case. Next to size, the external or internal pressure that the copper pipes will be subjected to will also determine the type of copper pipe that you ...
- Temper. Temper refers to the heat processes that the metal underwent during its manufacturing. ...
- Fittings. ...
What are the different types of copper fittings?
- The first category includes fittings that are designed for making bends and turns in the pipe.
- The second category comprise of fittings meant for connecting or branching copper pipe.
- The third category comprises of couplings, slip couplings, cast iron pipe adapters, etc. ...
What type of copper tubing is used for propane gas?
- LER-14L60 Type L Soft Copper Tubing 60' Roll 1/4 ID 3/8 OD 1/4" I.D. ...
- LER-38L60 Type L Soft Copper Tubing 60' Roll 3/8 ID 1/2 OD 3/8" I.D. ...
- LER-12L60 Type L Soft Copper Tubing 60' Roll 1/2 ID 5/8 OD 1/2" I.D. ...
- LER-12L100 Type L Soft Copper Tubing 100' Roll 1/2 ID 5/8 OD 1/2" I.D. ...
- LER-14L100 Type L Soft Copper Tubing 100' Roll 1/4 ID 3/8 OD 1/4" I.D. ...
What type of copper pipe is best for gas lines?
- These lightweight and durable metal pipes are available in rigid 2- and 10-foot lengths with diameters of ½ inch to 1 inch.
- Types of copper pipe fall into categories based on thickness of pipe wall. ...
- Thicker type L and thickest type K are used for gas service lines. ...

What are the 4 types of copper tubing?
Copper pipe manufacturers offer four standards of copper pipe which are types L, M, DWV, and K. These letters partially indicate the relative pipe wall thickness. A pipe's wall thickness is dependent on the pipe size.
Can type UT copper be used for propane?
In 1999, the International Association of Plumbing & Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) designated that copper tubing and fittings are allowable for gas-distribution systems, including propane.
What is Type K or L copper tubing?
Type K is the heaviest. Type L is medium weight and used most often for water lines in homes. Type M is thinner and is used underground or for light domestic water lines if local codes allow.
How many types of copper tubing are there?
There are two basic types of copper tubing, soft copper and rigid copper. Copper tubing is joined using flare connection, compression connection, pressed connection, or solder.
What type of copper is used for gas tubing?
Types K and L copper tube (ASTM B 88) and ACR tube (ASTM B 280), up to and including 1-inch outside diameter, have been used in fuel gas systems for many years. Usually, Type L is used for interior distribution systems and Type K for any underground lines.
What type of copper tubing is used for LP gas?
1/2" OD x 100' Yellow Polyethylene Jacketed Copper Tubing for LP Gas Service.
What is the difference between Type L and K copper?
Each type represents a series of sizes with different wall thicknesses. Type K tube has thicker walls than Type L tube, and Type L walls are thicker than Type M, for any given diameter. All inside diameters depend on tube size and wall thickness.
What is Type L copper used for?
Type L Copper Pipe: Type L copper pipe is used for interior plumbing, fire protection, and some HVAC applications. It is available in rigid and flexible forms and can be used with sweat, compression, and flare fittings.
What is Type K copper tubing used for?
Best For: Underground water main lines. Editors' Choice: Coils of Mueller Streamline Type K copper pipe (available at The Home Depot) are used in underground applications like water mains because of their ease of use and durability.
What are the different grades of copper?
Different Grades of CopperPure Coppers. Commercially pure coppers contain 0.7% in total impurities in its composition. ... Oxygen Free Coppers. Oxygen free coppers are the purest coppers available. ... Electrolytic Coppers. ... Free-Machining Coppers.
Can you bend Type L copper?
First, traditional type L copper tubing can not be bent. If it is, it can break down and create micro-fractures, leading to leaks and catastrophic system vulnerabilities. Therefore, U.S. piping systems require an excess of joints and fittings, which leads us to the second reason.
What is the difference between hard and soft copper tubing?
Hard copper is rigid line used throughout the house. Soft copper is used where flexibility is needed, such as faucet supply lines. Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions.
What type of pipe is used for propane?
Black Pipe They are also known as black steel pipes, black iron pipes or black malleable pipes. Used to transport natural and propane gas from the street or a tank to the home.
What type of tubing is used for propane?
The propane yard line generally consists of copper tubing or plastic polyethylene piping. The service piping needs to be installed correctly and legally in conjunction with the propane tank for the entire outside portion of the installation to be safe and serviceable.
What can I use for propane gas line?
Piping materials Steel, copper, brass: The most common gas piping is black steel. Galvanized steel, copper, brass or CSST (Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing) also can be used in some areas, but some utilities specifically prohibit the use of copper.
Can you solder copper propane lines?
In no case should solder or "soft-solder" be used to join copper tube and fittings in fuel gas systems.
What is copper pipe?
Copper piping can be found in numerous appliances, such as air conditioners and refrigerators. Whether it’s soft copper or rigid copper, or used for residential purposes or commercial construction, copper pipes are a major part of any project. However, there’s more than just one kind of copper pipe, and to do the job right, you need to know what kind of copper pipe is needed most. The three most predominant kinds of these pipes are called: 1 Type L pipe 2 Type K pipe 3 Type M pipe
What type of copper pipe is used for water lines?
Copper pipe Type L is the most common variety out of the three and can be found in interior plumbing systems. Furthermore, there are two kinds available: hard copper Type L and soft copper Type L. For water line replacement, the latter is most common, and the former for outside the house since it’s more durable and will need to withstand direct exposure to the elements.
What are the different types of copper pipes?
The three most predominant kinds of these pipes are called: Type L pipe. Type K pipe. Type M pipe.
What is type M copper?
Type M copper pipes tend to be found most in vacuum systems and for distributing water throughout your home, making it a relatively popular choice for copper tubing. AD: Local Counselor>.
Which type of copper pipe has the thickest walls?
Among the three different kinds of copper tubing, Type K possesses the thickest walls. Type K copper pipes are often found in water distribution systems, but they’re also quite commonly used in the oil industry, in heating and air systems, and even in fire protection.
Can you use K copper pipes for natural gas?
You won’t ever find these being used for natural gas, though. Type K is unapproved, due to the harm the gas can cause to the pipe’s joints. K Copper pipes, however, are useful when installing main water lines.
Do copper pipes need to be bent?
Whenever copper pipes are used for many of these applications, they need to be reshaped, bent, or coiled. If you are a part of one of these industries, or are doing some home maintenance and need coiled tubing, contact Metal Forming Solutions.
What is soft copper tubing?
Soft copper tubing in a close quarters tubing cutter. Copper tubing is most often used for heating systems and as a refrigerant line in HVAC systems. Copper tubing is slowly being replaced by PEX tubing in hot and cold water applications. There are two basic types of copper tubing, soft copper and rigid copper.
What is the most common type of copper for water lines?
Solder-connected rigid copper is the most popular choice for water supply lines in modern buildings. In situations where many connections must be made at once (such as plumbing of a new building), solder offers much quicker and much less expensive joinery than compression or flare fittings.
What type of copper is used for refrigerant lines?
It can be joined by any of the three methods used for rigid copper, and it is the only type of copper tubing suitable for flare connections. Soft copper is the most popular choice for refrigerant lines in split-system air conditioners and heat pumps .
What type of tubing is used for underground burial?
Type K has the thickest wall section of the three types of pressure rated tubing and is commonly used for deep underground burial, such as under sidewalks and streets, with a suitable corrosion protection coating or continuous polyethylene sleeve as required by the plumbing code.
Why is copper water pitted?
Copper water tubes are susceptible to cold water pitting caused by contamination of the pipe interior, typically with soldering flux; erosion corrosion caused by high speed or turbulent flow; and stray current corrosion caused by poor electrical wiring technique , such as improper grounding and bonding.
What is a type Z pipe?
Type Z is a thinner walled pipe, also used for above-ground service, including drinking water supply, hot and cold water systems, sanitation, central heating and other general purpose applications. In the plumbing trade, the size of copper tubing is measured by its outside diameter in millimeters.
What is 8 mm tubing called?
Tubing in 8 mm and 10 mm outside diameters is called a "micro bore" and is easier to install, although there is a slightly increased risk of blockage from scale or debris. It is sometimes used for central heating systems, and 15 mm adapters are used to connect it to radiator valves.
What type of copper pipe is used for underground water lines?
2. Type L Copper Pipe. While not quite as thick as Type K, with a wall thickness of .045 inches for a ¾-inch diameter pipe, it is still quite durable and can be used in many more ways. Type L is beefy enough to be used in underground applications but is often used to replace or repair water lines.
What is copper pipe used for?
Photo: depositphotos.com. Copper pipes have been used as water supply lines in homes for decades, and you’ve probably seen them under your cabinets or overhead in your basement. Most people know that pipes come in different diameters, but what you may not realize is that some types of copper pipes are thicker than others, too.
What type of copper pipe is best for a home?
1. Type K Copper Pipe. Of all copper pipe types, Type K has the thickest walls and is the most durable.
What is the thickest type of copper pipe?
Of all copper pipe types, Type K has the thickest walls and is the most durable. Pipe wall thickness varies according to the pipe diameter. ½-inch Type K pipe has a wall thickness of .049 inches, while ¾-inch has a thickness of .065 inches. Its thickness also makes Type K the heaviest and most expensive type of copper pipe. You won’t find Type K copper pipes under your sink or connected to other plumbing fixtures; partly because they aren’t as easy to work with as other types of copper but mostly due to the prohibitive cost. Type K’s thickness lends itself to use in commercial plumbing, HVAC, and sprinkler systems but most commonly found in underground water main installations. A thinner pipe can crimp or collapse underground, but Type K’s durability will allow it to last longer, meaning it doesn’t need to be dug up every few years.
What is the difference between Type M and Type M copper pipe?
Best of all, it costs less than the other copper pipe types! Advertisement. Type M has red markings and comes in flexible rolls and rigid tubing. While it isn’t often used in outdoor underground applications, Type M copper pipe is a perfect fit and plenty durable if you are looking to run a water system in your home.
What is a K pipe?
Distinguished by green markings, Type K pipe is available in both rigid form and in flexible rolls. You’ll often find flexible rolls of Type K used for underground water mains because they are easier to run in a trench, require no fittings, and can be used with compression and flared fittings.
What is the thickness of a DWV pipe?
It also has thinner walls than the other types of copper pipe, with a wall thickness of .040 for a piece of 1¼-inch pipe, the smallest diameter available for DWV.
Why use soft temper copper tube?
With soft temper tube, particularly when used for renovation or modernization projects , much less wall and ceiling space is needed. 4.
How many times has a 2 inch copper water line been frozen?
2-inch soft tube has been frozen as many as six times, and a 2-inch size, eleven times. This is a vital safety factor favoring soft tube for underground water services. However, it does not mean that copper water tube lines should be subjected to freezing. Corrosion—Copper water tube is corrosion resistant.
