HOW TO IDENTIFY LEAD PIPES AND WHY REPLACE THEM IN YOUR HOME?
Introduction
Many homes in the Tyler community are over 35 years old. While these houses have charm and quirkiness, the lead pipes most likely also pose dangers. These pipes can contaminate your water source and harm your health.
We'll explain how to identify lead pipes in your home and how our team can replace them.
Bannister Plumbing & Air is always happy to take your call. We are the premier provider of plumbing and HVAC services in the Cherokee County community, with decades of experience.
We are your trusted plumbing experts in Tyler, TX.
Lead Pipes Health Risk
You definitely don't want to consume lead. It is literally a poison that causes serious health problems and can lead to death.
Several Centers for Disease Control want to replace all lead plumbing in America. It can be assumed that lead pipes will disappear within 50 years.
Lead affects different age groups differently. In children, it leads to several problems, such as behavioral changes, low IQ, and stunted growth.
If an adult ingests lead, it can cause kidney failure, high blood pressure, or reproductive problems. In pregnant women, lead contamination in water can lead to premature birth and other complications.
That's why you must fix your lead pipe problem immediately, no questions asked.
How to Recognize Lead Water and Pipes
Now that you know the critical effects of lead water consumption, you must learn to recognize it.
The Consumer Confidence Report is required to publish a water quality report each year. This report informs owners about the pollution level of their water.
If you are staying in an apartment or condo, the resort will notify you if your water is undrinkable.
You can also request a water quality report from your landlord.
Although the consequences can be disastrous, it is important to note that many homeowners are still living with lead pipes in their homes. Water filtration technology improves every year and it is not difficult to clean the water that flows through your home's lead pipes.
We recommend using a point-of-use filter in your home. With this tool you can remove any lead contamination from your water source. If you don't know how to do an installation, our contractors can do it for you.
If you use tap water for cooking or cleaning, you should flush your water system before beginning the process. If you want to be extra careful, run your cold water faucet for a few minutes before using it for any purpose.
In general, hot water contains more lead than cold water. To avoid the possible consequences of lead consumption, you should drink spring water or filtered mineral water. Although plastic can harm the environment, it is safer to drink than lead-contaminated water.
One of the tricky things about lead poisoning is that it can't be seen with the naked eye. The only way to tell if your blood contains lead is to have a blood test. Doctors generally recommend having a blood draw at every appointment.
If you're unsure if you have lead piping in your home, here are some tips to help you identify the chemical.
Brass Faucets
If you have brass faucets in your home, chances are you have lead plumbing. Solid brass for drains and faucets is an obsolete material. The danger of pure brass is that it may contain traces of lead.
Today, manufacturers make faucets from a combination of brass, silicone, and alloy. This combination reduces the amount of lead contained in the nozzle.
Locate Your Main Service Line
One of the easiest ways to determine if your home has lead piping is to locate the main service line. You can usually find the pipe in your basement or in the lowest part of your house.
The first thing you have to do is recognize the color of the whistle. If it's a dark shade of gray, that's a strong indication of lead pipe.
To better identify lead water pipes, take a screwdriver and scrape the pipe. If the metal is shiny, then all signs point to a lead pipe.
Alternatively: If it turns brown, that means you have a copper line.
Just because you don't have a lead pipe doesn't mean your water isn't lead-free. The part you can see may be a partial tube replacement, meaning half of the shaft is still lead. If possible, contact the previous owner and inquire about your home's plumbing system.
Lead Solder
Soldering can also give off fumes that cause severe breathing problems that can be fatal to people with asthma and allergies. A licensed and insured HVAC contractor can tell you if your solder contains lead.
One of the most common sources of lead in your home is your plumbing solder. Contractors use solder to fuse metals in your plumbing system. This metal contains lead chemicals that can contaminate your water.
Schedule a Plumbing Service Call Today
At some point, every homeowner who owns lead piping will upgrade to copper. Replacing pipes can ensure your safety and that of your family and make your home more efficient.
In addition to our pipe replacement services, we offer pipe cleaning, water treatment, water sprinkler installation and more.
We are the most trusted source for quality plumbing and HVAC services in Tyler, TX.
If you have a question about replacing lead plumbing in your home, call Bannister Plumbing & Air at (903) 201-0247. Our Tyler, TX team will be in touch with you shortly to discuss the details of our pipe replacement services. In addition, we are there for you around the clock for emergency services.
