Lead pipes?

Question

I have a lead pipe that brings the water into our home. All other pipes in our home are NOT lead. Looking to get an estimate at the cost of replacing the pipe? Have you had it done, any suggestions?

Answer 1

Why do you want to replace it?  If you are worried about lead exposure, get your water tested prior to spending big money on replacement.  There may be very little lead leaching off the pipes.  If you water is hard, there may be none leaching.

Answer 2

It must be a very very old house

Lead water lines haven't been used since 1900 or so

what year was the house built

Old galvanized pipes resemble lead but are made of steel

As for the price to change the water line it all depends on how far it is, how deep it has to be, what materials the ground consists of

you going to dig it? have it bored? there is a lot of considerations before you can get a price

I have done replacement water services from 500.00 to 3500.00 it all depends

Answer 3

Jenn above is right. In fact the lead will usually (stress usually) stop leaching into the water after a few months of installation. The exposure may be minimumal

If your one of those that believe the sky is falling and the earth is warming and the ice caps are melting and all this is caused by man please replace it. I need the lead for my fishing weights before they are outlawed too. (I dont tell the fish and they seem healthy).

Answer 4

Depending on your area, and if you get a licensed plumber it can go in NYC anywhere from $1,500-$4,500. If you get an un-licensed plumber he is cheaper, but doesn't carry insurance. That means if something goes wrong it comes out of your pocket, if he is licensed that mean he carries insurance and it will take care of everything, if anything does go wrong. Hope that was helpful!

Answer 5

Never heard of a lead water pipe. Probably steel or copper. And the only lead in either would be the in solder used a long time ago to sweat the copper together.

Answer 6

Agree with Jennifer, get it tested first. The water puts  a coating on the inside of the pipes, unless it's disturbed it doesn't get in the water.

Answer 7

I assume this is the line that connects your house to the city's water service.  Before you call a plumber call the water department and see if they give any discounts when you replace a lead line with a new one.  Since lead is a health hazard and has been banned in new construction for decades, there might be some government money to help offset the cost.  You should also call the Realtor who sold you the home because that is an item that requires disclosure when the house is sold.  You might also call social services to see if they give any help.  

Now comes the really bad news, you will have to dig a trench from the house to the street.  Most municipalities will not let a homeowner replace the main water line, though they will let him dig the trench.    Before you dig the trench check with various plumbing companies because some of them have equipment that can drill underground quite a few feet.   Make sure you get the piping properly sized.  Put in at least a 3/4 inch main.  Hopefully it will just hook up to the existing valve coming off the city main.

Answer 8

just call around and get some free estimates

Answer 9

I really doubt that pipe is 'lead'. Lead is a very soft material and unless that house is 100 years old it's use would be doubtful. More likely it's galvanized pipe. Galvanized pipe is a silvery color but it is hard wall. If it is truly lead then you should be able to cut it with a knife or at least dig chunks out of it. If your water isn't rusty looking then there's no reason to replace a galvanized pipe. I did replace the galvanized pipes used in my well and running from my pump tank to the house because they had become rusted and were discoloring the water. Another worry is copper pipe, in an older house as they were usually soldered with a lead based solder and can leach lead into your water supply. Your water can be tested for lead presence.