What is commonly done to pipes made of copper during installation?

During the installation of copper pipes, it is standard practice to solder them to ensure strong and reliable joints. Soldering creates a permanent bond by melting a filler metal into the joint area, which solidifies as it cools and forms a strong connection that can withstand pressure and temperature changes. This process is essential for maintaining the integrity of the plumbing system, preventing leaks at the joints, and ensuring the long-term durability of the installation.

While painting copper pipes for protection or wrapping them in insulating material might be applicable in specific scenarios (for example, to prevent corrosion or thermal loss), those practices are not integral to the basic installation process of copper piping. Leaving copper pipes unsealed is also not a standard practice, as unsealed joints would likely lead to failures or leaks. Therefore, soldering is the key technique used during installation to achieve robust joints in copper piping.