How to Test for Lead in Water Pipes?
Written by: Gene Fitzgerald // Last Updated: Mar 7, 2023
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If you live in an old home, there is a chance that your water pipes are partly made of lead.
Lead can leach into your water, which can be dangerous for you and your family if you consume it.
This is why it’s important to have your water pipes checked.
This article will cover the basics of testing for lead in your water pipes. Let’s start!
Contents
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Key Takeaways
- Locate the end of your water service line and look for a metal plate or tag that indicates what the pipe is made of.
- You can also do a scratch or magnet test to determine the material of the pipe. Lead pipes are usually shiny and silver underneath the surface, and they are not magnetic.
- The most accurate way to test for lead in water is to collect a sample and have it analyzed either by a professional service provider or an EPA-approved lead testing kit.
What Is Lead?
Lead is a natural element that is soft and malleable. It has a low melting point and is strong and durable, so in the past it was often used in plumbing.
However, studies showed that lead could leach into water and cause severe health problems when ingested. Children and pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to lead exposure. This is why Congress banned the construction of lead pipes in 1986.
Lead in water is odorless and tasteless, so you will not be able to tell if your water is contaminated. If you live in a home built before 1986, there is a chance that your pipes are made of lead. You can have your water tested by a certified lab to find out for sure.
About Lead in Pipes, Service Lines, and Solder
There are three main ways lead can enter your water:
- Pipes that are made of lead can leach the metal into your water
- Solder (the material used to join pipes) that contains lead can also introduce the metal into your water
- The service lines (the pipes that bring water from the water utility to your home) may be made of lead.
All three sources can release small amounts of lead into your water, which can increase over time. This is why it’s important to check your water pipes for lead.
Past and Current Rules & Regulations
In 1986, Congress amended the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), which prohibited the use of lead pipes, solder, and flux.
The Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) followed in 1991, wherein the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) required public water systems to take action to control lead and copper in drinking water.
The rule established that the maximum level of lead in drinking water should be 0, while an action level of lead is 0.015 milligrams per liter (mg/L). If action levels exceed what is recommended, public water systems must notify customers, optimize corrosion control treatment, and replace lead service lines.
The EPA released more guidelines in 2022 to support water systems. The information includes best practices, templates, and case studies on how water suppliers can maintain safe and lead-free tap water.
Who May Be Affected
Lead can have serious health effects if it is consumed even in small quantities only.
- Over time, some of the health effects of lead in adults include high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney disease, and memory problems.
- If you are pregnant, lead can also cause damage to your unborn child. Lead can cross the placenta and enter the bloodstream of your developing baby. This can lead to serious health problems, including premature birth, low birth weight, and miscarriage.
- Children are the most vulnerable to lead exposure because low levels can already have harmful effects, like behavioral problems and learning difficulties.
If you think you or your family may have been exposed to lead, it’s important to see a doctor immediately. Lead poisoning can be treated, but it’s best to catch it early.
How to Test for Lead in Water Pipes
If you want to check if your water pipes are made of lead, there are two things you can do.
The first method is to locate the end of your service line and confirm whether it’s made of lead. You can usually find your service line where it enters your home from the street. Once you’ve found it, look for a metal plate or tag that indicates what the pipe is made of. If it says “lead,” then that is your confirmation.
In case the pipe has no tag, you can do a scratch and magnet test to determine what material they’re made of. Lead pipes are usually shiny and silver underneath their surface, and magnets will not stick to them.
The second method is to test your water. This is the most accurate way to know if there are traces of lead in your service line. You can either hire a professional to do this for you or purchase a testing kit from the hardware store.
If you want to do it yourself, collect a sample of water in a clean container first thing in the morning before anyone has used the taps. Once you have your sample, follow the instructions that come with the test kit.
Generally, you will need to mix the water with a chemical and then compare the color of the water to a chart that comes with the kit. A positive result will indicate the presence of lead, and you should take steps to have your water pipes replaced.
What You Need
For the scratch and magnet test, you’ll simply need:
- Flat screwdriver
- Magnet
For DIY testing, simply purchase an EPA-approved lead testing kit.
Further Reading:
Other Ways Lead Can Enter Your Home’s Water Supply
Lead is a natural element. So, if you live in an area with high levels of lead in the soil, this can also contaminate your water supply – but this is rare.
More common ways lead can enter your home’s water supply is if there are factories nearby (industrial waste). Or, if your home was built before 1978, there is a chance that the paint used contained lead. This can chip off and enter your water supply if not properly maintained.
How to Test Your Water Supply for Lead
As mentioned above, there are two ways to test your water for lead.
- You can use a DIY lead testing kit. These kits are available at most hardware stores and home improvement centers. Be sure to follow the instructions carefully.
- You can also hire a professional lab to test your water. This is generally more accurate than a DIY kit but is also more expensive. However, we recommend choosing this route as a professional test can give you more detailed information about the lead levels in your water.
What to Do if Your Pipes or Water Supply Test Positive for Lead
Pipe Replacement
This is the most common and effective way to deal with lead pipes. All water lines made of lead will need to be replaced. It may be a very costly and time-consuming project, but it is the best way to protect your family from lead poisoning.
Filtration
If you cannot afford to replace your lead pipes, installing a water filter that treats lead is a good alternative. Filters may need to be replaced periodically depending on which type you buy.
Flushing
For a quick fix, you can try flushing the pipes to remove any lead that may have built up in the water. To do this, simply run a cold water tap for up to several minutes before using any water. This will help flush out most of the lead that has leached into the water.
Cold Water
You can protect yourself and your family further by using only cold water for drinking, cooking, and preparing baby formula. Hot water is more likely to contain higher levels of lead.
Bottled Water
If you cannot afford to replace your lead pipes, another option is to drink only bottled water. This is not a long-term solution, but it can help reduce your family’s exposure to lead while you save up for replacement pipes or a lead water filter.
If you have any questions about how to test for lead in water pipes please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below!
About the Author Gene Fitzgerald
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