Why is copper a good metal to use for water pipes?

Copper is easy to use and work with. The minerals in water generally do not build up on copper as easily as on galvanized steel. After WWII copper was relatively cheap and available in great quantities so the Plumbing products industry changed to it as its standard pipe. Now copper is much more expensive and new materials such as plastics are being used.

Copper does not rust or perish easily, making it ideal for use in any climate. Copper is also heat and cold resistant and swells and contracts much less than other materials when its temperature changes. Copper resists damage from minor home fires much better than plastic.