Congress did not ban lead plumbing until 1986. They didn’t require that all lead service lines be removed at all. We suggest that you check the service line to your home for lead piping. You can check if your plumbing service line is lead yourself. Go outside and locate the shut-off valve to shut off the water supply. Then, look at the pipe that leads from the valve to the underground. This is your main plumbing service line. If you require any assistance, please call us.
Grab a Quarter, a Magnet
Grab a quarter and a strong magnet before you go outside. You can also use a larger coin, such as a $0.50 one. A coin should be strong and long-lasting. For this test, you will need a magnet with a large sticking surface. This will allow you to easily scrape the pipe’s surface and then test the material with the magnet.
Scrape the Pipe’s Surface
To check how easy the pipe scratches, use the quarter or another coin to scrape its surface. This will allow you to check the hardness of the pipe and how easily it can be scraped. It is likely to be lead if the pipe feels soft and it is easy to scrape with a quarter. To determine if the pipe is silver, you can also take a look at its color. Silver pipes are made from lead pipes. Copper-colored pipes are copper service lines.
Place the Magnet on the Pipe
The next step is to place the magnet on the pipe in the same area you have just scraped. The magnet should stick to the pipe. Magnets don’t stick to lead so if you have a lead plumbing line, the magnet will fall off the pipe. To confirm that the magnet does not stick to the pipe, you can place it on different parts of the pipe.
Look Out for A Bulb in the Pipe
Finally, if you see a bulb in the pipe that looks like a snake swallowing an egg, your main plumbing line is lead. It is important to have the main line replaced as soon as possible. Otherwise, you may end up with lead in your drinking water, your shower water, and the water that washes your clothes and dishes.
Call us right away to schedule an appointment for a professional plumber if you suspect that your plumbing line or your household plumbing pipes are made out of lead. We will confirm or deny this and replace any lead plumbing fixtures.
