What are the issues with copper plumbing in a home built in 1988?

I have a friend who has a home that has copper plumbing. The residence was built in 1988, and she was told by a neighbor that copper plumbing is bad and has to be removed/replaced in order to keep the value of the home for resale. This doesn't seem to make sense and the home DOES NOT have any plumbing issues to date. The neighbor cautioned that copper plumbing can burst. Is there any ring of truth to this or is the neighbor thinking of something else. A home built in 1988 doesn't seem that old to me.

Please help. All answers are welcome. Thanks.

If the copper pipe is stressed, it will create a leak, but only if stressed. By this I mean thin wall, kinks, etc.

I have never heard of copper pipes devaluing a home. If anything, copper will add value compared to CPVC or galvanized. If there are no issues with leakage or significant corrosion, leave it.

You've got some good answers here, the only problem place is where the two dissimilar materials are connected and that is probably accessible and can be corrected.

Are you sure the neighbor is not a plumber or maybe a sales person for plumbing supplies.

Copper is one of the best piping materials available,however there have been some issues with the type of soldier used .I don't know the exact dates but lead based soldier was used for almost every job,that has since changed.

I have copper water lines (original) in my 1960 house that still perform well to date. No signs of any leaks or corrosion. Your friend does not need to do anything with his copper lines. They do not devalue a home. Copper is very expensive these days.

Copper plumbing is the best available way to deliver fresh water to a home.

I read an answer that stated you should have die electric couplings between to 2 different types of metal and that is 100 % correct.

A home built in 1988 would not be at risk of lead contamination since the laws changed in 1976 to protect us from such risk.

There are still some concerns about a pipe bursting and it is possible not probable. If the home has slab floors it is possible for the pipes to bend or move with settling. This is rare but it does happen. Another way for the pipes to fail would be if one of the solder joints works loose. This is possible if the pipes are not secured as directed in the UPC ( uniform plumbing code )

You would have a warning before they actually fail. If when you use the hot or cold water from any of the sinks or tubs even the washing machine you hear a rattling noise then you may have a problem.

I must agree with the general census that the neighbor is confused. I am a licensed plumber in California and one of my better sales points is that copper pipes will increase the value of the home.

I wonder who told her that. Copper plumbing is excellent. My home was build in 1988 using the same copper plumbing. It has been trouble free.

Copper is now a very expensive commodity and the local police reports show that burgulars are stealing it out of homes that are under construction and 'selling' it at recycling centers for the money.

Tell your friend to relax and enjoy her home.

somebody is giving you a line of bull -- the only point to question is the type of solder used to "sweat" the pipe connections. there is a possibility that lead solder may have been used -- a quick check with a sampling kit ( go to your hardware store) will give you an immediate answer -- however -- that does not mean that significant amounts of lead (if found in the solder) are being leached into flowing water -- samples of your actual drinking water can be tested by a private laboratory if you are concerned.

the copper pipe will only bust if it gets frozen for a long period of time ... typically copper outlasts the standard pvc pipe that is used to pipe homes.

so your neighbour is an idiot.

The only issue that might be a problem is if the copper and galvanized are directly connected to one another. If this is the case you would need to install a dielectric union so that the dissimilar metals do not corrode

The neighbor is totally, absolutely wrong.

All types of pipe can burst if frozen. Copper is no worse than the others. Copper that is soldered with no-lead solder is safer than the others, in my personal opinion.

P.S. based on the update by the poster... Mixing copper and galvanized will eventually cause problems. It should not damage the copper permanently. I would cut off the visibly damaged parts and replace ALL the galvanized.

WHAT????

People actually pay extra to get copper plumbing now. Maybe the neighbor just wants the plumbing to get scrap medal. Issues should be with the fittings from that time are Polybutylene Plumbing Pipe. Those fittings should have been replaced as a result from the class action law suit.