Knowing if your home still has a lead service line is crucial for your health. Lead should never be in a home’s water system since the harmful chemical can cause several health issues to people of all genders and ages, like developmental delays in children and a myriad of severe health issues in adults, including pregnant women.
Sadly, many residential and commercial properties still have active lead service lines. Aging infrastructure in cities across the country is at risk for lead exposure found in plumbing pipes since this material was commonly used before the 1980s. Older homes and buildings are particularly vulnerable and at risk, so we created a guide to help you check for lead pipes in your home so you can make a fast replacement.
Key takeaways
Lead pipes pose significant health risks, especially for children, pregnant women, and other vulnerable groups. Lead exposure from water can lead to developmental delays and severe health issues in adults.
You can check for lead pipes by looking at your home’s service line near the water meter or shut-off valve. Lead pipes are non-magnetic and have a dull gray color that turns shiny silver when scratched.
Lead pipe replacement options include full or partial replacements, with full replacements being safer since they eliminate lead risk entirely. Replacement costs range from $3,000 to $15,000, and some municipalities offer financial assistance.
While waiting for replacement, using water filters and flushing taps for 15 minutes can reduce lead exposure, but these are not long-term solutions. Consulting with a health professional is recommended if lead is detected in the home.
What is a service line?
A service line is a pipe that connects your home’s plumbing system to the public main water supply. They’re usually underground and run from the street to your home’s foundation.
The problem with lead service lines is that if any of the pipes in this system are made of lead, the water flowing through them could become contaminated with lead particles and carry them into your household’s taps or faucets.
It’s vitally important to determine whether or not your house has lead pipes in the service line so you can get them replaced immediately to flush out any remaining lead and keep your water safe to consume.
Signs you may have a lead service line
You do not have to call a professional immediately to determine whether your home has lead pipes. However, you should contact these professionals if you notice the signs below.
Age of the home
Lead pipes are usually found in older homes built before 1986. In the past, lead was a preferred material for plumbing systems because of the chemical’s ease of use and high corrosion level. But as time went on, more people discovered that lead pipes were unsafe and caused a lot of damage to health. So, in 1986, Congress banned lead pipes from being used further on, but that didn’t mean homes with lead pipes had them removed instantly.
So, if your home was built in the 1980s or before, you need to check to see if your service line still contains lead pipes.
Pipe material
The first way to tell if you have lead pipes in the home is to observe the appearance of the material. Lead pipes usually have a dull gray color that can be easily scratched with a coin to reveal a shiny, silver look.
Location of service line
To find your lead service line, go to your home's water meter or main shut-off valve and look at the lines connected to the tank. These connected lines are where the lead pipes usually are.
Water quality issues
Sometimes, you can spot the presence of lead pipes in your plumbing system simply by pouring a glass of water from one of the taps. Cloudy or discolored water can indicate corrosion in the lead pipes and is worth having a professional look at.
Local alerts or history
Some cities and areas have a history of lead pipes or lead contamination. If you live in one of these cities, your property may be at risk, so you should call a professional to check your pipes.
How to check if you have a lead service line
There are a few ways to identify lead service lines in your home before calling a professional to replace them.
DIY methods
Other than scratching the pipes, another key test can be done with a magnet. Lead pipes are non-magnetic, so if a magnet sticks to them, they are lead-free. If a magnet doesn’t stick to the material, then this is a sign that you still have lead pipes hooked up to your service line.
Don’t forget that you can spot a lead pipe by a simple visual inspection. Lead pipes have a shiny silver complexion that makes them stand out against other materials, but sometimes, it can be hard to identify lead pipes versus galvanized steel.
Galvanized steel pipes have a gray coating, but they’re much duller. If you’re confused about whether your pipes are lead or galvanized, remember to use the magnet trick.
Water testing kits
One of the most helpful ways to check to see if lead pipes are present in your home is with store-bought water testing kits. They’re very inexpensive and can be purchased online or at a nearby hardware store. They’re also very simple to use.
All you’ll have to do is fill a small cup with water and insert one of the testing strips. If the test returns positive, you must send more water samples to a certified lab for professional analysis in your area after calling your city’s water department.
Should you call a professional?
When to DIY vs. hire a pro
Do not hesitate to call a professional for a lead service line replacement. It’s best to contact a trusted plumber in your area who can quickly identify these lines so you can get on making a replacement.
Expert inspection
When you need to call in a professional for an inspection, certified plumbers or water utility services are the best people to turn to. They will conduct a thorough inspection and may also offer free or subsidized testing in your area.
Municipal resources
Another way to check the types of pipes used in your home is through municipal resources. These resources might have records on the types of pipes installed on your property and offer to help replace them as necessary.
What to do if you have lead service lines
Once lead service lines have been identified in your home, it’s important to get them replaced as soon as possible. Here are your replacement options, cost considerations, and what to do in the meantime while you wait for new pipes to be installed.
Replacement options
Replacing your lead service lines is critical for preventing lead contamination in your water. You have two options when it comes to replacement: full or partial. A complete lead pipe replacement replaces all lead pipes in the system's private property and public parts. A partial replacement only replaces the public pipes and leaves the current private pipes intact.
Opting for a full replacement is necessary since it completely eliminates the risk of lead exposure, but sadly, it will cost more.
Cost considerations
The cost to replace your lead service line varies depending on your location, the length of the system, and the contractor you hire. On average, replacing lead pipes costs between $3,000 and $15,000.
But the good news is that many municipalities and states may offer grants, subsidies, or payment plans and programs to help with the replacement. The best way to know for sure what’s available financially is to speak with a contractor in your area.
Interim solutions
While you wait to have your lead pipes replaced, there are a few solutions you can implement to ensure you have clean water. The first is with a filtration system. Water filters you can place over your faucets filter out harmful substances to make your water as clean as possible, but they’re not to be used as a long-term solution. You can also try flushing the tap water before use by running all hot faucet taps for at least 15 minutes.
Health concerns
If your home has been exposed to lead, it’s essential to consult with a health professional, especially if you’re pregnant or have children in the house. Lead can cause significant damage to your body, so catching an issue before it becomes a problem is vital for your health.
Protect your family’s health and have your lead service line replaced
The only way to protect your and your family's health long-term when it comes to water is to have your lead pipes replaced as soon as possible. Start by inspecting your water lines today and testing your plumbing system to see if lead is present, or contact a professional to do the testing for you.
Frequently asked questions
You can check to see if you have a lead service line in your home by inspecting the appearance of the pipes. Lead pipes have a shiny, silver exterior, so scratch the surface of your pipes with a coin to see if they reveal this color. If your pipes are dull and gray, they’re likely galvanized steel and are okay to keep.
There are several ways to determine if you have a lead water pipe at home. The first is a scratch test by scratching the outside of a pipe with a coin. You have lead pipes if the scratched area reveals a shiny, silver look. Another way to check is with a magnet. Magnets don’t stick to lead pipes, so if you hold a magnet up your pipes and it catches, the material isn’t lead.
Heavy use of lead pipes started in the 1800s and continued until 1986. In 1986, health concerns from lead pipes started becoming more prevalent, so Congress banned the use of this material. Even though the material was banned, it didn’t remove the lead pipes that had already been placed in homes, which means many residences still have lead pipes to this day.
Water testing is the only way to know for sure whether your water is contaminated with lead. You can purchase at-home water testing kits, or you can contact a water supply company to collect samples for certified lab testing, which is a more accurate option.