Checking your pipe
- 1Find the entrythe pipe coming through the basement wall before the meter
- 2Scratch testlead is soft and shows bright silver when scratched
- 3Magnet testa magnet will not stick to lead
- 4Look at the jointa bulbous solder joint is typical
- 5Ask a plumberif you are unsure
01Why it matters
Lead can leach into water, especially water that has sat in the pipe overnight. Public health guidance is to cut exposure, above all for young children and during pregnancy. Swapping out the service line is the permanent solution.
In the meantime, flushing taps before use and using a filter certified for lead reduction help.
02Public and private sides
The service line has two parts: the city portion from the street main to the lot line, and the owner's portion from the property line into the house. Toronto has offered a program to replace the city side; owners replace their side. Check the city website for current details.
03Replacement
Replacing the private side means excavating or tunnelling from the property line to the foundation. It is a significant job, but a long-lasting one.
04Short-term habits
Until the line is replaced, flush the cold line for a few minutes on waking and after a weekend away, until the water feels noticeably colder. Use cold water, never hot, whenever you drink, cook or mix formula. Rinse the aerator screens regularly, as they can trap particles. Until then, a jug or tap filter with lead-reduction certification is worth having; check the certification on the packaging.