When it comes to working with copper pipe there are a few choices that you will need to make when you got to purchase the copper from the plumbing supply store. If you have not read the intro to copper pipe yet, that would be a good place to start as this plumbing lesson will go deeper into the different grades of copper plumbing pipe. But just as a recap of the first lesson, The difference in the letters ( I.E. M . L , K ) is actually the level of thickness of the wall of the copper. Lets start with the different grades of pipe.

M Copper

M copper is the “lighter”of the copper pipe family, M copper has a thin wall and is made to be used in only certain types of plumbing repairs and construction.

M Copper Applications

* Domestic water in warm areas ( I.e. Florida )
* Heat systems nation wide
* It also can be used as a brace for thinker copper.

M copper can not be bent, Even though some plumbers get away with bending m copper by using a trick or two, its not recommended as it puts extreme pressure on the pipe wall and that could lead to busted copper lines down the road.

L Copper

L copper is the second thickness of the copper tubing levels. L copper has a wall that is twice as think as m copper and about half as think as k copper.

L Copper Applications

* Domestic water lines worldwide
* Heat lines in extra cold areas
* Irrigation systems

The other nice part about L copper tubing is that it can be bent using a tubing bender and that can come in very handy when you are doing a complete plumbing rough or plumbing renovation

K Copper

K copper has double the thickness of M copper and is strong enough to be used underground, and can also be used in more extreme potable water plumbing systems

K Copper Applications

* Underground water mains
* High pressure water mains

So now that I have explained the three different types and thicknesses of copper you should have no problem decided on which type to buy when you decide to do your next plumbing project!