When Did They Stop Using Copper Pipe In Houses?

How To Look At A House

McGarry and Madsen's home inspection blog for buyers of

site-built, mobile/manufactured and modular homes

When did they stop using copper pipe in houses?

Saturday, February 29, 2020

Copper pipe rose in popularity in the 1970s, surpassing galvanized steel for water pipe, and become the “gold standard” for quality pipe in that era. But problems with pinhole leaks and the arrival of the newer plastic pipes in the market caused a gradual decline in its use during the 1990s, and it was rarely used in new construction after 2000.

It is still an approved pipe in the building codes, regularly used for repair of existing copper systems, and occasionally installed in new homes.

Here’s a decade-by-decade listing of the common types of pipes used:

• What type of water supply and drain (DWV) pipes were commonly used in older houses?

• What type water supply and drain (DWV) pipes were commonly used for 1950s residential plumbing?

• What type water supply and drain (DWV) pipes were commonly used for 1960s residential plumbing?

• What type water supply and drain (DWV) pipes were commonly used for 1970s residential plumbing?

• What type water supply and drain (DWV) pipes were commonly used for 1980s residential plumbing?

• What type water supply and drain (DWV) pipes were commonly used for 1990s residential plumbing?

• What type of water supply and drain (DWV) pipes were commonly used in the 2000s?

• What type of water supply and drain (DWV) pipes are commonly used today?

Visit our PLUMBING PIPES page for other related blog posts on this subject, or go to the INDEX for a complete listing of all our articles.

<< What color metal roof is best? | Recent Blogs | When did they stop using cast iron pipe in houses? >>

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