When on the market for a new home, people often look for how old the house is. The year in which a house was built is important for more reasons than just structural integrity and modern layout. Older houses have a certain kind of character and charm but can be susceptible to some issues. For one, houses built before 1970 are highly likely to have lead pipes.

Lead is hazardous and highly toxic, and can damage the human nervous system when ingested. The presence of lead in older homes can contaminate the water source, and thus pose a serious threat to health.  Lead pipes and products have been banned from use due to the dangers it poses but older households may still have lead plumbing. Fortunately, there are options on how to remove lead from a home and make drinking water safe for consumption.

The convenience of lead pipes and health risks

Lead pipes have been used for a very long time, mainly due to their inexpensive availability, rust-resistant properties, malleability, and effortless welding capabilities. Recent years have shown the health dangers lead exposure can cause on the human body, however, and a large amount of scientific research has proven that it has no place in daily use.

Consuming lead-contaminated water poses a great health risk, especially to children and fetuses still developing in the womb. Lead can hinder brain development, damage the kidneys, and contribute to cancer development and high blood pressure.

How to know if you have lead in the home?

Although lead pipes have been banned, it’s not a legal requirement to replace the whole pipework – although it would certainly be beneficial to one’s health. The new legal regulations impose a halt on installing lead pipes from that date on. The main way to know if this type of pipe is in a home is to find out the age of the house. Anything after 1970 should be lead-free.

But if the concern is still there, there are a few other ways to check. Firstly, asking the neighbors may render some information as they may know what the previous owner may have done with their pipework, and if there was any replacement work in the past. Secondly, figuring where the main water pipe enters the home and looking to see how old or what material it’s made from.

PVC pipes usually come in white, blue, black, and even grey colors. Copper pipes have a vibrant coppery color or a dull brown if they are older. Iron pipes are dark and may have some rust on them. These types of pipes are lead-free and are safe enough, though the iron one may leak some rust and create brownish water.

However, older-looking pipes with a faded grey color, that are soft and have certain uneven curves, could be lead pipes. At this point, a quick scratch test will further prove or disprove if it’s lead. If after lightly stretching the pipe there is a shiny silvery metal underneath, then it is in fact a lead pipe.

Not only that but older houses built before the lead ban that had copper pipes and fittings merged with lead-based solder still pose a danger. Brass faucets and fittings also have lead and can further contaminate the water. There is, however, the notion that over time, lead could have dissipated, but that’s not an actual safety guarantee. A plumber can be asked to verify this as well and make absolutely certain about the types of pipes present in a home.

Water as a protective factor

A health threat due to lead pipes is not always evident from the start. Older pipes could have developed an oxidation layer from the years of water flow, which may act as a protective layer against the raw lead underneath. The lack of direct contact with the lead can mean that there may not be any lead contamination. A water test for lead could not show any signs of it either.

Water treatment plants also manage the water’s pH level, blocking the corrosion of the oxidation layer, thus maintaining its integrity and keeping the lead beneath. Also, specific chemical components added by the municipality treatment facility promoting the formation of a protective coating, similar to a scale, adds another layer over the lead.

What measures to take yourself?

• Brass fittings can easily replaced with modern ones, thus getting rid of the lead solder material in the process as well.

• A water filtration system can be installed in line with the pipes and provide lead-free drinking water. Baring in mind that a specific lead removing filtration system would be required to actually clear out heavy metals, lead included.

• To use water for drinking and cooking, even with a lead filter in place, letting it flush before collecting it is recommended.

• Also, cold water should be used as hot water can dissolve lead and bring it to the faucet. These measures may be only short-term solutions, but they may lower the levels of lead present in the water. Granted, it is a wasteful solution, but maybe the water can still be collected and used for gardening purposes.

If the entire pipework is to be replaced then professional help should be sought out, not just to make sure the pipes are installed correctly but also to ensure the older lead-contaminated ones are properly dealt with. This removes the source of lead contamination from the pipes entirely and renders clean lead-free drinking water.

The best solution, in the end, is to replace all the lead pipes. It’s the best way to guarantee safe lead-free water for the entire household. Owners are encouraged to replace their own lead pipes as the responsibility ultimately falls on them. It’s also important to make sure there are no other lead pipes that come from the municipality pipeline as this is the city’s responsibility and they should be made aware of it.