I’ve been learning about the copper pipes in my home because I’ve been doing some remodeling. Based on my research, I thought I’d put together this article to explain the difference.
The difference between L and M copper pipes is that L copper pipes are thicker than M copper pipes. L copper pipes last longer than M copper pipes when used to supply water throughout a house or building. L copper pipes are more expensive than M copper pipes, so M copper pipes are sometimes preferred.
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In this article, I will cover everything you need to know about the differences between the four types of copper pipes, when you should use each type of copper pipe, and how to know whether you should use L or M copper pipes.
Should I Use Type L or Type M Copper Pipe?
The difference between type L and type M copper pipes is that type L pipes are thicker. However, when should you use type L copper pipes, and when should you use type M copper pipes?
As a general rule, you should use type L copper pipes for water supply in a building. Type M copper pipes are acceptable for water supply in most jurisdictions (but not all). However, type L copper pipes last longer because it’s thicker and won’t need to be replaced as soon as type M copper pipes.
Most plumbers recommend using type M copper pipes for the supply of heating, such as in an underfloor heating system. However, type M copper pipes are much cheaper than type L pipes.
Type L pipes contain more copper because they’re thicker, so they cost more. Thus, some use type M instead of Type L copper pipes to save costs. However, Type M pipes will need to be replaced sooner than type L pipes.
In a recent article, I explained when copper pipes need to be replaced. You can read it [here, link how long t]. And copper pipes generally will last 80 to 100 years. But, some plumbers believe that if you use the thinner type M pipes instead of type L copper pipes, you will need to replace them after 20 to 30 years.
Some jurisdictions require Type L pipes
Across the board, you can use type L or type M copper pipes to supply water throughout a house. However, in certain jurisdictions, you can find that they require type L pipes to be used.
Water pressure is the primary cause because some municipal water sources require high water pressure to meet the demand. The thicker L copper pipes can withstand higher pressure than the M copper pipes. Therefore, before buying them, it’s best to talk to a local plumber in your area or access the building codes on your local government website.
Finding the specific information can often be challenging, so it’s often easier to contact a plumber. But it’s your responsibility whether your project meets your local building codes. And if it’s incorrect, you will need to foot the bill to replace them.
Therefore, it’s a good idea to ensure it’s all above board before installing or replacing copper pipes.
What Are the Different Types of Copper Piping?
There are a few different kinds of copper piping, which can be identified by the color of the lettering used on the outside. I’m interested in what each type of copper piping is used for. Here’s what I found.
There are four types of copper pipes, K, L, M, and DMV. K copper pipes are the only type of copper pipes that can be buried underground. L copper pipes supply water, whereas M copper pipes are used for heating. DMV pipes aren’t used for water supply and have no pressure rating.
DMV pipes are generally only found in old homes and have been phased out because plastic pipes are cheaper and easier to work with than copper piping. And M copper pipes CAN be used for both water supply and heating supply.
Here’s a table that shows how to tell the different kinds of copper piping apart and what they’re used for:
| Type of pipe and color code | Used for |
|---|---|
| K – green | The only type of pipe that can be buried underground. Used for water supply into a building. |
| L – blue | Located inside a building and used for supplying water throughout the building. |
| M – red | Recommended to be used for heating systems. It can be used for water supply lines but not recommended |
| DMV – yellow | Used for drainage and vents. Not widely used much anymore, and typically only found in old buildings. |
There will be a thin strip of color and/or lettering on the outside of copper pipes to indicate what kind of pipe it is. For example, L copper pipes will have blue lettering or a thin strip of blue paint.
The thickness of the pipe and the pressure rating
Water flows through pipes under pressure. And for water to get from the ground to a shower head, or an upstairs kitchen or bathroom, it needs to be pumped under reasonably high pressure.
Each type of copper pipe has been stress tested in a lab to see how it holds up under varying water pressure.
But, pipes have a diameter and a thickness – which can be a bit confusing because a large pipe can have thin walls and as a result, can withstand less pressure.
As a general rule, the thicker the pipe – not the diameter of the pipe – means that you can use it for water under higher pressure than thinner copper pipes. And pipes with thicker walls will last longer than pipes with thinner walls under the same conditions.
Which Copper Is Thicker L or M?
A major difference between the types of copper pipes is how thick they are. And therefore, how does the thickness of L and M pipes compare?
On the whole, type L pipes are thicker than type M pipes. L and M copper pipes commonly are ½ an inch (12.5 mm) or ¾ inch (19 mm) in diameter. The thickness of ½-inch L copper pipes is around 0.032 inches (0.8 mm). The thickness of ½ inch M copper pipes is around 0.045 inches (1.1 mm).
As you can see, the difference in the thickness between L and M copper pipes is only minimal. However, because L-type copper pipes will last longer, they can contain water at higher pressures. Which results in less wear and tear on the pipes.
Copper, though, is relatively rare and costly to extract from the ground, and for that reason, type L pipes are more costly than type M pipes because they contain more copper and are on average around 15% of the price of type L pipes.
Here’s an average cost comparison between type L and type M copper pipes:
| Type of copper pipe | Cost per 10 ft (3 meters) |
|---|---|
| L | ~$125 (1 inch) |
| M | ~$25 (3/4 inch) |
Because of the drastic difference in price, where possible M type copper pipes are used rather than type L. However, type L is recommended by plumbers because it lasts 3 to 4 times as long as type M copper pipes before they need to be replaced.
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