Copper Sinks - What you need to know!
Copper sinks should be made of lead free copper. (pronounced /ˈkɒpɚ/) is a chemical element with the symbol Cu (Latin: cuprum) and atomic number 29. It is a ductile metal with excellent electrical conductivity and is rather supple in its pure state and has a pinkish luster which is (beside gold) unusual for metals which are normally silvery white. It finds use as a heat conductor, an electrical conductor, as a building material, and as a constituent of various metal alloys.
                                                                                                 Read about antibacterial properties of copper
FAQ

Buying a copper sink is not an easy task these days. Sinks arrive daily from third world countries using recycled copper from questionable sources. That being the case, how does one choose a copper sink that is safe? First, consider a copper sink that is made in the USA. Generally speaking, these sinks will be made of copper that is certified to be lead and mercury free. Secondly, insist on something in writing indicating the copper sink you are considering is lead and mercury free. Lastly, look for a long warranty. Most quality sink manufacturers will stand behind their products for a minimum of 10 years. Never purchase anything on the internet with a check! You have no recourse if there is a problem. Always use a credit card. Your credit card company will generally give ample protection if you have been defrauded. When looking at photos online, make sure you can see a large clear photo. Small photos can mask construction imperfections. Look for kitchen copper sinks with interiors that have not been lacquered. A lacquered finish will not withstand the rigors of typical kitchen use. Best yet, find a copper sink without a waxed finish in the bowl. A waxed finish will require regular maintenance. Look for a copper sink with an interior that has a caramel coloration. That is the natural color of copper when it has been aged. If you are looking for a hammered copper sink, look closely at the hammering. A deep hammering on the interior of your sink will hold water and you will have to wipe out your sink after each use. Most importantly, talk to the vendor. Don't make a purchase without asking questions.
                                                                                

Buying a home with an existing copper sink.

If you are considering the purchase of a home with an existing copper sink you may want to have the homeowner prove that there is no lead in the copper sink. This issue can be exactly like the lead based paint problems of the past. There is mounting evidence that copper sinks are coming in to this country with lead in the copper. If you are buying a home with an existing copper sink, the burden of proof lies with the homeowner. If you are selling, be prepared to be asked for documentation! It is generally sufficient to have a statement in writing from the manufacturer indicating they use lead-free copper. The best insurance is to have the copper lab tested unless the manufacturer can give sufficient proof that they are buying lead free copper.

Quality issues with regard to copper sinks:

When considering a copper sink, look at the quality. If you are looking for a kitchen sink, the copper sink should be made of 99.9% pure copper of 16 gauge (48 ounce). The corners should be welded, not soldered. If you have the opportunity to view the sink prior to purchasing, bring a tape measure. The sink should be square and true. Measure the front to back dimension, side to side, and the apron dimensions (if necessary). All dimensions should be the same at all points. Too often, copper sinks are built out of square. Look at the corners. Are all corners the same radius? Often the radii of the corners are different, causing the countertop fabricator significant problems determining which radius to use when cutting out for the sink. Lavatory sinks may be constructed of a thinner copper. Generally that will not be a problem due to the size of the sink. A lacquered finish on a lavatory sink is not as much of a concern as it is on a kitchen sink. A lavatory sink does not get as much wear and tear as a kitchen sink. A non lacquered finish, however, is preferred.

If you are looking at an apron front sink, look at the construction of the apron. The strongest design will have copper returning at the sides and the bottom of the apron.

Talk to your countertop fabricator. They have likely installed several copper sinks and can give you some guidance as to what brands they have had luck with and those they have had difficulty with. One such company reported that they had to grind the edges of an imported copper sink in order to make it true and square. They told us that three of the workers developed a skin rash due to working with copper with unknown impurities.

Ask for referrals from your dealer. Speak to a few customers who have had copper sinks. Ask them if the sinks drain properly and if the sink is easy to care for. Copper sinks, if produced properly, should be very easy to care for.

Types of copper used in copper sinks:

Pure copper comes in different forms. Hard cold rolled copper and annealed copper are the most common forms of copper used in copper sinks. Annealed copper is heated to a point where the copper remains much softer. A softer copper is easier to hand hammer, however may not hold its form as well over time. Hard cold rolled copper is much stronger and will be less likely to warp over time or during shipping.

Design issues:

Drain location  and drainage is key! Do you want a drain in the center of your sink? If so, make sure the sink is slanted to the drain. Some manufacturers do not adequately slant the bottom of the sink to the drain, requiring the user to hand dry out the sink after each use. Some manufacturers offer right or left rear drains. This is a significant benefit for usability. The drain is not in the way when cleaning items and a rear corner drain allows for better storage under the sink. Poor sink drainage is the most common complaint with regard to copper kitchen sinks. Make sure you have insurance from the company that your sink will drain properly. Read the use and care section of the web sites. If you see wording that describes regular waxing or the fact that the sink should be dried after use, beware. Copper is a resilient metal. It will withstand quite a bit of abuse and will, with time, change back to it's natural coloration (a caramel color). 

Apron front sinks are most popular because they allow the user to get closer to the work area inside the sink. Under mount sinks generally have a large section of countertop in front of the sink making the user reach further to work. When looking for an apron front, or farmhouse sink, make sure the apron is not too thick as that will defeat the purpose. Most quality designs have an apron that is approximately 1 1/2" thick. A thicker apron will force you to reach further to a work surface. The point of an apron sink is to allow the user to reach the work surface of the sink with ease.

Finish issues with regard to copper sinks:

The finish of a copper sink is vitally important. Some manufacturers offer a lacquered finish which will wear off in time. The best finish is a natural patina, which offers antibacterial properties and very low maintenance. Copper will naturally turn, in time to the color of an old penny. Copper will never age, in a kitchen sink, in a uniform pattern. An applied patina that does not look like the coloration of an old penny will eventually turn to the coloration of an old penny. Contrary to some concerns, copper will generally not turn green in a kitchen sink. It takes 7 years for a copper roof to begin to turn green. If you are looking for a uniform patina in a copper sink, we suggest you rethink your choice. There is no way to maintain a uniform patina in a copper sink.

If you are considering a copper sink with no finish at all, raw copper,  be patient. Natural copper will not age over night. This process can take several weeks to several months. Once the copper has developed a reddish brown (caramel color) patina, the sink should be very easy to maintain and quite appealing to look at.

A hammered copper sink is chosen when a more old world look is required. Beware of so-called hand hammering that is done by machine. You can easily tell if a sink is hand hammered. There will be no pattern to the hammering on the copper.

Maintenance Issues with regard to copper sinks:

Copper sinks are actually easy to care for if there is no finish applied over the interior of the sink. Copper is constantly aging, therefore the occasional scratch will disappear in a matter of days. The scratch will weather to match the rest of the sink making it virtually undetectable. There is no need to scrub the sink or use harsh chemicals. If you leave a lemon or another acidic product inside your copper sink it will take the natural patina away leaving a pink mark. The pink mark will darken with time and will blend in with the interior of the sink making it virtually disappear. If you purchase a copper sink with a wax coating, you will have to wax your sink every few days and you should avoid using harsh cleaning agents.

Copper sink Price Issue:

The price issue is one that can baffle the most intelligent person. Pricing for copper sinks ranges from one end of the spectrum to another. Watch out for inexpensive copper sinks. We are all well aware, by listening to the news, that copper is very expensive. So how is it that some copper sinks seem to be so inexpensive? We have heard that at least two countries are using recycled copper from melting down discarded telephone wire. Yes, there is copper in telephone wire, but there may also be other contaminants such as lead. If you consider the fact that these questionable sources are not paying for their raw materials, and the labor force works for pennies an hour, you can see why some copper sinks are so inexpensive. Copper sinks come in contact with food and with person. There should be NO lead in the copper used for manufacturing a sink. A quality manufacturer should be able to provide some sort of written documentation indicating 99.9% purity. Consider warranty, length of time in business, get referrals, and if you think the price is too good to be true... it usually is! Look carefully at written warranties. One company offers a warranty that details the customer must ship the sink back (to Mexico) for an exchange if the sink is defective. The consumer must bear the cost of the shipping to Mexico - possibly costing as much as the sink! In contrast, another offers a warranty that pays all shipping costs plus an additional $100 for your inconvenience.

The bottom line... do your homework. A copper sink can be the most functional low maintenance sink you could invest in, or it could be a maintenance nightmare. Please do not ask us for referrals, as we wish to maintain our neutral position. If you have questions about use and care or any other generic questions, we will be glad to answer them for you.

Questions about copper sinks? Ask the experts.