Lead exposure from water is never a good thing. In fact, it can lead to several health risks, like developmental delay in children, damage to the brain and kidneys, and more. Sadly, many homes today still have this hazardous material in their water supply through lead pipes, which jeopardizes everyone’s health in the home. But the good news is that this risk can be eradicated completely.
A lead service line replacement is the only way to remove the source of lead in your pipes, which is why it’s an essential homeowner task if your home still has a lead service line. Replacements must be initiated either by the homeowner or the city if it’s a highly affected area with lead pipes.
If you find yourself facing a lead pipe replacement in the foreseeable future, here’s what to expect from the process.
Key takeaways
Lead exposure from water is dangerous, leading to serious health issues, particularly in children. Full replacement of lead service lines is necessary to completely eliminate this risk.
For homeowner-initiated replacements, steps include finding a certified contractor, conducting water testing, obtaining permits, and completing the pipe replacement. City-initiated projects follow similar steps, but the city often handles permits and restoration of public property.
Lead pipe replacement can cost between $3,000 and $10,000, depending on home size and region. Homeowners may qualify for federal, state, or local assistance programs to help cover these costs.
After replacement, landscaping or driveway repairs may be needed if excavation was involved. The homeowner is typically responsible for restoring any private property affected, while the city handles public property restoration.
Step-by-step process of lead service line replacement
Starting the lead pipe replacement process can be done yourself or initiated by your city if most homeowners in your area are affected by the presence of lead pipes. Here’s what to expect if you start the process yourself or find out your city is having lead pipes in the community replaced.
Homeowner-initiated process
Step one: Contacting a qualified service provider
If you think your home still has working lead pipes, the first step is to contact a licensed, certified contractor for water testing. To find these professionals, here are a few places to check so you can find the right expert to inspect your water:
Ask friends or family for any reviews/suggestions.
Browse local databases for government water departments.
Search certification boards or databases for licensed experts in your area.
Since lead exposure is incredibly harmful, we can’t emphasize the importance of choosing someone licensed and certified but, more importantly, specializes in lead pipe replacement.
Also, replacing lead pipes is not a cheap project. We recommend finding at least three contractors for individual quotes on testing and pipe replacement charges so you can choose the one that best fits your budget.
This is also the step to ask contractors about any government funding or programs you can partake in to help cover all or some of the cost of pipe replacement.
Step two: Initial inspection & water testing
After you find a contractor to work with, they will inspect the lead service line in your home by coming to your residence to conduct a water test. This test will confirm whether lead and the levels are in your water supply.
They will also fully assess your home’s pipes and water supply to suggest whether you need a full or partial line replacement. Full replacements are typically the best option, even though they’re more costly. They eradicate the presence of lead, while partial replacements still contain the risk of lead exposure.
Step three: Securing permits and approvals
One of the annoying drawbacks of removing lead pipes (besides the annoyance of the possible health compromise) is that you will need permits to complete the process. Permits are required to ensure the removal and installation of new pipes adhere to plumbing and building codes, but don’t worry; your contractor will help you obtain the necessary permits.
You should note that this is one of the parts of the process that can take a few days to several weeks to complete, depending on city regulations and how fast the permits are issued. Because of how long it may take, your contractor may advise you to invest in temporary measures, like a water filtration system to make your water safer for the time being.
Step four: Scheduling the replacement work
Once the permits are ready, the next step is scheduling the replacement day with your contractor. This step tends to be scheduled rather quickly since lead is hazardous, but the timeframe usually takes one to three days after obtaining permits to schedule the replacement day.
Step five: Lead service line replacement
Your contractor will come to your home one to three days after obtaining permits to start the replacement, which should be completed that day. To replace your lead pipes, your contractor will likely dig a trench from the street to the house to remove the old pipes and replace them with the new material of choice.
Lead pipes are usually repaired with copper, PEX, or PVC. Your contractor will work with some noise and minor temporary disruptions to your water service, so communicate with them to know what adjustments need to be made.
Step six: Final testing and reconnection
Once your contractor installs the new material, they will reconnect your water supply and complete final testing. The final water test ensures the new pipes are connected correctly and tests the water for any remaining contaminants.
Even with new pipes, your water may need to be flushed for the next few hours or days to remove any remaining lead or other elements. Your contractor may also offer extra guidance on water safety for your new pipes.
Step seven: Restoration of property
After all work is completed with your lead pipes, you may repair your driveway or landscaping if excavation is involved for replacement. Restoration time may be quick if a small dig was involved in your project. If extensive digging was needed, the possible wait time for completed restoration may be a few days.
Step eight: Cost considerations & potential rebates
For complete lead pipe replacement (testing, labor fees, removal, permits, and new material installation, the average cost is between $3,000 and $10,000, depending on your region, home size, and system intricacy.
These unforeseen expenses can be quite hefty, so a few federal, state, and local programs may help with costs. Contact your city’s local water department for options and ask your contractor for extra assistance programs like rebates for lead service line replacement.
City-initiated lead service line replacement process
Step one: Notification from the city
If your city detects the possibility of lead pipes still present in surrounding homes before you suspect it, it will notify residents about upcoming lead pipe replacements. This notification usually comes in the mail but might also be sent via email or door hangers explaining the timeline and procedure.
Step two: Pre-inspection by the city
The city will send professionals to inspect service lines in your home to distinguish the presence of lead in the water. Then, they will determine the extent of the replacement needed (full or partial). However, you should be aware that professionals may need access to parts of your home and yard for inspection to get to your pipes.
Step three: Permit approvals and schedule coordination
Whereas household-initiated replacement requires you to handle all permits yourself, the city handles obtaining permits and legal approval necessary for the work. This takes a few of the steps off of you, including scheduling the replacement. You will receive a schedule for the replacement, as cities usually group several homes in one area at a time.
Step four: Lead service line replacement
In this step, the city’s hired contractors will handle the entire replacement process, from digging at the street to the home’s water supply. Like the homeowner-initiated process, you should expect temporary water shutoffs and yard digging, but they won’t last long.
In most cases, the city will only replace the lines on public property leading up to the house. You are responsible for replacing any lead pipes on your property.
Step five: Post-replacement testing and safety measures
Once the lead pipes are removed and replaced, the city may conduct more water tests to ensure the water quality meets safety standards. The contractors should also give you tips on keeping your water flush and maintaining water quality for your new pipes.
Step six: Restoration of property
When the city hires contractors to replace lead pipes, it’s the city's responsibility to restore any public property their contractors dig up, like streets or sidewalks. If they have to dig on your property, they offer little to no restoration for their work, like the basic filling of trenches. Sometimes, when the city handles lead replacement, the homeowner is responsible for restoring any landscape or restoration repairs on your own property.
Step seven: Costs to the homeowner (if any)
Some city-initiated lead pipe replacement projects may be covered fully or partially by the city, but there are times when the homeowners may be responsible for part of the cost. This typically comes into play if some of the lines that need to be replaced are on private property.
However, there are some government funding plans you may be able to take advantage of, like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law or the Lead & Copper Rule by the EPA. You can also take advantage of some city programs in a high-need area.
Lead service line replacement: the bottom line
Getting your home’s lead service line replaced is not something to delay. Since lead exposure poses a high risk to your health due to its toxicity levels, a replacement is the only way to ensure you have safe drinking water at home.
If you live in an older house, it’s time to inspect your pipes to see whether or not you have lead pipes and get your pipes replaced, whether or not you or your city starts the process. Remember, do not let the prices of lead pipe replacement scare you. Financial assistance might cover all or a portion of your replacement.
Frequently asked questions
Replacing lead service lines in your home can be costly, especially if your system is more intricate and requires plumbers to do extensive work. If you discover that cost is an issue to the point where you cannot afford it, know there might be a few funding options available. You can ask your plumber about pipe relining since it’s one of the cheapest routes requiring inserting a new, safer pipe into the lead one. You might also be able to take advantage of some state/federal programs to provide safe drinking water in homes. You must call your city or county’s water supply for more information on these options.
Replacing the lead service line usually takes about a day, but the whole process, from water testing to actual replacement, can take up to a few weeks. If you suspect your house has lead pipes, the process starts with a nearby water supply coming to your home to take a water sample back to a certified lab for testing. From there, the water is tested (which could take a few days), and then the next steps are handled: finding a professional to replace the contaminated pipes.
Unfortunately, there is a risk of lead exposure during the replacement process since workers come into direct contact with the element. When this happens, lead can contaminate the skin, clothes, or other personal items, so it’s best to take precautions as much as possible. Lead is highly toxic to everyone it comes into contact with.
If you’re considering selling your home in the future, replacing your lead pipes can significantly increase its value. Present lead pipes will majorly turn off potential homebuyers because they pose a significant health concern, so replacing them eliminates the hazardous possibility and makes your home appear safer.
You generally do not need to temporarily move out of your home while your lead pipes are replaced unless issues arise. Instead, you’ll just be without water for a few hours and need to make temporary adjustments. If contractors cannot complete the replacement, having a temporary water filter on faucets, especially the one you drink out of, is crucial to filter out lead, copper, or other harmful elements that should not be consumed.