Right now there are global initiatives going on in every country and every community to replace lead pipes. It’s not because lead doesn’t work as a pipe material, it works very well, in fact. It turns out that lead can be poisonous when ingested and lead pipes will leech lead into the water of a community, harming the people in it.
However, as thorough as our community might be at removing lead pipes from our water supply lines, we can’t physically go into every older home and replace their lead pipes. All we can do is advise homeowners to do this on their own time and their own budget, and tell them about the risks of lead poisoning.
If you’re certain that you’ve got lead pipes in your home, then we’re going to be frank with you. You might need to get them replaced. Our team provides this valuable plumbing service in Paradise Hill, SK so you can rest easy knowing the pros are on the case.
Why Lead Was Originally Used as a Plumbing Material
Lead has been used in plumbing materials since ancient times. The Romans used to use lead in their pipes as they also constructed aqueducts to transport water and waste throughout the empire. This isn’t just a coincidence—lead is an extremely durable and malleable substance that is found naturally in the earth’s crust. This makes it affordable and a strong contender for a plumbing material.
What’s Wrong With Lead
Unfortunately, it isn’t until recent times (around 60 years ago) that we discovered lead has a negative effect on the water that we drink. Even trace amounts of lead can poison a human being and cause anemia, weakness, as well as kidney and brain damage. Lead poisoning can also have extremely negative impacts on the health of developing children, which is why there are strict regulations on homes with lead paint.
Do you have lead pipes in your home? One way to check if a suspected metal pipe is made out of lead, is to gently scrape the pipe with a pin or a coin. Galvanized steel will remain gray and copper will be bronze in color, but lead will show a shiny silver streak. If you see this shiny silver streak on your plumbing pipe, then you’ve got lead pipes that should be replaced.
Replacing Your Main Water Line
The biggest priority in your home is replacing any lead pipes that have connection to your main water line. These pipes could be contaminating your water supply and risking lead poisoning for anyone who drinks your water. There’s a very low chance of this being the case, but it’s always a good idea to check with a professional.
Lead Sewer Pipes Still Need to Be Replaced
Don’t just stop there! While lead sewer pipes aren’t as much of an emergency as lead water pipes, they should still be replaced. If you have lead pipes in your home, there’s a good chance they’re over 20 years old and in need of serious replacement. No plumber has used lead pipes in decades, so it’s only a matter of time until these pipes fall apart and cause you problems. Get them replaced early!
Contact Guardian Plumbing & Heating Ltd. Lloydminster’s Plumbing and Heating Authority!