The latest issue of the Australian Plumbing Industry magazine has been released, with all the latest news on the use of copper plumbing in Australian homes.

A survey of nearly 700 of the country’s largest building companies by the Housing Industry Association and Copper Development Centre showed a significant boost in the use of copper pipes over the last year.

Builders cited “better quality”, “more reliable” and “no leaks” as the main reasons for specifying copper over plastic pipes for cold, hot and, increasingly, solar water systems.

Around a quarter of builders also pointed to “better taste” as an issue they considered when making decisions about plumbing for drinking water.

Reliability is a key factor, with builders taking part in the survey reporting that plastic pipes accounted for nearly two thirds of all their reported plumbing ‘breakdowns’.

A surge in builders preferring copper because of its reliability first appeared in the 2007 survey and that support has remained steady this year as well.

Easier installation has certainly been the focus for companies like MM Kembla and Crane Copper Tube-the country’s leading copper tubing manufacturers-a strategy that seems to be paying off.

Along with the continued development of new quick, install fittings, both companies have helped support the copper plumbing market with training and education activities, as well as research like the current study of Australian builders.

To find out more, go to www.plumber.com.au/ for a free download of the Autumn 2009 Australian Plumbing Industry magazine.