Lead Pipes: Everything You Need To Know

Welcome to the ultimate guide of everything you need to know about lead pipes in your home: we’ll quickly review the history of lead pipes and answer critical questions like what are they, are they dangerous, what do they look like, should I replace them, and much more.

The History of Lead Pipes

We plumbers have a unique connection to lead. The word “plumber” actually comes from “plumbum,” the Latin word for lead. And of course, plumbers have worked with lead for thousands of years.

Did you know that the ancient Romans used lead plumbing to distribute drinking water? In fact, they were the first to mass produce it. Some of their lead-based plumbing systems — like the famous aqueducts — are still in service to this day. The Romans used it to transport drinking water to its citizens.

It wasn’t until the mid-1800s that lead became more recognized as toxic to humans. Even so, lead continued to be the most powerful type of pipe until the 1920s. Even today, they can be found in homes constructed before they were banned by passage of the Safe Drinking Water Act in 1986.

It is estimated that approximately 10 million homes still use lead plumbing to get drinking water from their local municipality.

What Are Lead Pipes?

Lead itself is not produced by man. Instead, it is a heavy metal that is extracted from ore while mining for more valuable materials like silver, gold, and zinc. It is readily available, easy malleable, and resistant to corrosion. It won’t break or crack if you press it, hammer it, and bend it. In addition, it is easy to melt at low temperatures.

Its color is most aptly described as a dull gray, with a slightly blue tint. It’s similar in color to tarnished lead. When scratched on the surface, it will show a shiny, silver color. But it turns back to a dull gray after being exposed to oxygen.

These properties made it extremely useful throughout history for producing all sorts of products. The most notorious of which is the lead pipe, which was created and used for thousands of years primarily to distribute water from one place to another.

Are Lead Pipes Dangerous?

Unfortunately, lead also has a downside. It can be toxic to humans in elevated doses. Which is why lead pipes for distributing drinking water was banned. If you have lead pipes in your home, get them replaced immediately.

Yes, lead pipes are dangerous, which is why they were banned from use in 1986. More than half a million children have elevated levels in their body, mostly coming from drinking water flowing through lead pipes or breathing/eating lead paint.

Lead poisoning causes vomiting, abdominal pain, constipation, headaches, difficulty concentrating, appetite loss, and weight loss. Long-term effects include kidney problems, developmental delays, attention deficit disorder, behavioral problems, and high blood pressure. Lead poisoning can be particularly damaging for fetuses, pregnant women, infants, and children. It can effect adults as well.

The most infamous, recent water crisis making the national news occurred in Flint, Michigan. In that city’s case, lead from improperly treated water leached out from aging pipes into thousands of homes causing illness throughout the area. Lead in water is still a huge problem, as many plumbing systems built before the ban have not yet been properly updated or mitigated.

Click here to learn more about how to protect your family from lead poisoning.

What Does a Lead Pipe Look Like?

So how do you even know if you have plumbing made out of lead? To find out, here are some quick and easy steps you can take yourself:

1. Look for any plumbing pipe whose color is a dull gray — use the photo below for guidance.
2. To test if the dull gray pipes are actually made from lead, scratch the outside surface with a flathead screwdriver or a pocket knife perhaps. You can even use a penny.
3. If the scratched area is a shiny silver color, then your pipe is lead.
4. If the scratched area is a copper color, then you’re fine. You have a copper pipe.
5. Don’t be fooled by a galvanized steel pipe which can also look dull gray. If you scratch a galvanized steel pipe, it will remain dull gray (not shiny and silver). You can be extra sure that it’s a galvanized steel pipe if a magnet sticks to it.

Should I Replace My Lead Pipes?

Yes, yes, yes! In fact, don’t think twice about it. The bottom line is this: lead plumbing that distributes drinking water is dangerous to you and your family, and it needs a replacement. The sooner the better.

Unfortunately, many homes and multi-unit properties continued to be built using lead — including fittings, soldering, joints, and other materials — until the ban was implemented. If your home was built before 1986 and your plumbing has never been replaced, you need to get them checked and replaced by a qualified plumber.

But Other Pipes Can Cause Problems Too

Are lead pipes dangerous? Absolutely. But all pipes are subject to problems and wear and tear. Joints can begin to leak, and caulking and soldering can become compromised because of temperature changes or physical stress. The simple act of a house settling over time (or suddenly) can strain connections and cause issues. No material is immune to these events.

Go over all the accessible pipes in your home at least once per year. Look for excess corrosion or oxidation around joints, and evidence of leakage, including moisture, wet rot or mold damage around pipes and fittings. Chances are, if you can spot one leak in a visible, accessible location, there are other issues developing in less visible areas.

Also, look at your water — especially after spending time away from the house. Is your water yellow or brown when you turn the tap back on? This is a sign that your pipes are getting rusty. It’s time to replace them.

Replace Plumbing With These Pipes

Today, you have three great, lead-free options for safely distributing drinking water in your home. With these options, there’s no excuse for having a dangerous lead pipe in your home. You can ask your plumber tp tell you which materials work best for different applications.

For example, PVC plumbing doesn’t last as long as copper and other metal pipes. But it’s a wonderful, low-cost solution that’s flexible and easy to work with. More recently, a product called PEX has come to the forefront. It’s extremely flexible and even easier to use.

Here are the current best options to review with your plumber:

1. Copper Pipes — The safe, long-term solution if choosing a metal pipe for drinking water. But it is expensive and hard to work with unless you know how to solder.
2. PVC Pipes — A more modern solution, it is flexible and easier to work with than metals. But it’s also brittle and gluing these pipes can lead to leaks.
3. PEX Pipes — Used only for distributing water, it is great for DIYers and professional plumbers because it is so highly flexible. It’s long-term durability is still unknown.

PRO TIP: Many plumbers recommend copper pipes because of their durability and resistance to corrosion. However, they are expensive so consider other options like PEX. And be careful about connecting pipes made from different materials. When two different metals come in direct contact, there is frequently excess corrosion as the metals react.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, sooner or later, even the best plumbing will need pipe replacement. And if you or any previous owners haven’t been diligent in monitoring your pipes and fittings for problems, it could be sooner.

But the lead pipes in home — no matter their age or condition — should always be replaced. It’s simply too big a health hazard not to. If you find them anywhere in your home, call your plumber to install a replacement immediately. Your family’s health is in danger from prolonged lead toxicity.

Call 1-Tom-Plumber for More Help

Don’t hesitate to contact us here or call us at 1-Tom-Plumber (1-866-758-6237) if you have lead pipes in your home. We can demonstrate what a lead pipe looks like, We will immediately handle any emergency plumbing, drain cleaning and drain clearing, and water damage problem, including excavation of underground water lines and sewer main lines.