Lead pipes are water pipes made of lead, and they can release lead into your drinking water as they wear down. They are more common in older homes and older cities, especially homes built before 1986. This guide from HomeTeam shows you how to check your pipes, what the health concern is, and what to do next. You will also see how a home inspection and lead testing fit in, and when it is time to call a pro.

What Are Lead Pipes?

Lead pipes are water pipes made from lead. Lead is a soft metal that was once used widely for plumbing. Today it is a concern because it can get into tap water when plumbing wears down or corrodes. The EPA says lead gets into water when plumbing that contains lead corrodes, and that water that is acidic or low in minerals can make this worse, according to the EPA’s basic information on lead in drinking water.

Lead can show up in more than one place in a home:

Where lead can be found	What to know
Service line	This is the pipe that runs from the water main to your house. Where one is made of lead, the EPA says it is typically the biggest source of lead in the water.
Pipes inside the home	Lead pipes inside a house are rarer, but they can exist in older plumbing.
Solder	Older plumbing may be joined with lead solder. Homes built before 1986 are more likely to have it.
Faucets and fixtures	Brass and chrome-plated brass faucets can contain lead. The EPA names these as a main source in homes without a lead service line.
Galvanized iron pipes	The CDC lists older galvanized iron pipes as another possible source.

Notice that lead pipes are not the same thing as lead paint. Lead paint is a separate hazard and does not come from your drinking water.

Lead pipes bring water into your home and are different than sewer lines. Your sewer line carries wastewater out, and it has its own set of problems. If you are curious about that side of your plumbing, read our guide on sewer scope inspections.

How to Tell If Your Home Has Lead Pipes

You cannot tell from a water test alone. A water test shows whether lead is in your water. It does not show what your pipes are made of. To find the pipe material, use the steps below.

1. Think about your home’s age. The EPA says lead pipes are more likely in older cities and in homes built before 1986. Age is a clue, not proof. A newer home can have a lead fixture, and an older home may have had its pipes replaced.
2. Find your service line. Look near your water meter, where the main pipe enters your home. This is often in a basement, crawl space, or utility room.
3. Try the scratch and magnet tests. The EPA describes a simple check you can do on an exposed pipe. Scratch a small spot with a key or coin, then see what shows up. Then hold a magnet to the pipe.
4. Ask your water utility. Your utility can tell you whether your service line is lead. This is the best way to learn about the buried part of the line, which you cannot see or scratch.

Which Material is the Pipe?

Pipe material	What the scratch looks like	Does a magnet stick?
Lead	Dull and soft. A scratch shows a shiny silver mark.	No
Copper	A scratch shows a copper-colored mark.	No
Iron or steel	Not lead.	Yes

If a magnet sticks, the pipe is iron, not lead. The EPA explains this method on its page about how researchers identify lead service lines.

Are Lead Pipes Dangerous?

Lead in drinking water is a health concern, and the EPA and CDC say there is no known safe level of lead in a child’s blood. The EPA’s goal for lead in drinking water is zero.

Here is what the EPA says about the effects:

• Children: Lead can lower IQ and cause learning and behavior problems.
• Adults: Lead can raise blood pressure and affect the kidneys.
• Pregnancy: Lead can pass to an unborn baby.

Those are good reasons to take pipe checks seriously. They are not reasons to panic. A simple water test can give you real numbers.

The CDC also says skin does not absorb lead from water, so bathing and showering are not the main concern. The main concern is drinking and cooking with the water.

What to Do If You Have Lead Pipes

If you find or suspect lead pipes, you can take simple steps now while you plan for a longer-term fix. Follow these steps:

1. Use cold water for drinking, cooking, and baby formula. Hot tap water may carry more lead.
2. Do not count on boiling. Boiling does not remove lead from water.
3. Use a filter certified for lead. The CDC points to filters certified to NSF/ANSI 53. Follow the maker’s directions for replacing cartridges.
4. Run the tap before you drink. The EPA says to flush the tap if water has sat in the pipes. It does not give a set number of minutes, so ask your utility what it suggests for your home.
5. Test your water. Use a state-certified or utility-listed lab. The EPA lists lab fees in the range of about $20 to $100. HomeTeam’s water testing service includes lab testing for lead at some locations.
6. Ask your utility about replacement. Under federal rules, water systems have to find and replace lead service lines over the coming years. The timeline depends on your utility, so ask what the plan is for your street.

In addition, the CDC says lead levels can go up during service line work and for up to six months after; therefore if a utility replaces your line, ask what steps to take afterward, such as flushing and using a filter.

Lead Pipes and Buying an Older Home

If you are buying a home built before 1986, lead pipes belong on your question list. Here are a few smart moves:

• Ask the seller what they know about the plumbing and whether any pipes were replaced.
• Ask the water utility about the service line material for the address.
• Add a water test. HomeTeam’s water testing service includes lab testing for lead, along with other contaminants. Services vary by location, so check with your local team.
• Get a full home inspection. Your inspector reviews the plumbing and can help you decide what to follow up on.
• Ask about lead testing for the rest of the home. Lead paint is a separate hazard from lead pipes, and an older home can have both.

How Home Inspection, Lead Testing, and Water Testing Work Together

Lead can be in more than one place in an older home, so no single service covers all of it. Here is how HomeTeam’s services fit together:

Service	What it can do	A good fit when
Home inspection	Reviews the plumbing and the overall condition of the home, and helps you decide what to follow up on.	You are buying an older home, or you want a full picture before you decide.
Lead testing	Tests for lead hazards in the home. HomeTeam’s lead testing page focuses on paint on walls, baseboards, and windowsills.	You are worried about old paint, or you plan to renovate an older home.
Water testing	Lab testing of your tap water for lead and other contaminants.	You want real numbers on lead in your drinking water.

A home inspection is a smart first step because it gives you the big picture. Lead testing and water testing then answer specific questions. A water test shows lead in your water, and a lead test looks at paint. Neither one tells you what a buried service line is made of, so your water utility is still the best source for that. Services vary by location, so check with your local team.

When to Call a Professional

You can check an exposed pipe and ask your utility some questions on your own. However, call a professional when you need answers you cannot get yourself.” Good times to reach out:

• You are buying an older home and want a home inspection, plus lead testing if paint or water concerns you.
• Your utility says you have a lead service line, or it cannot tell you what material makes up the line.
• You want your water tested and are not sure how to collect a sample.
• You see plumbing you cannot identify, such as old pipes behind a wall or under a floor.
• Someone in the home is pregnant or has young children, and you want to act sooner.

For pipe replacement, you will likely need a licensed plumber or your water utility. A HomeTeam team can help with the inspection and testing side, like a home inspection, lead testing, or water testing, and can tell you which of those makes sense for your home.

To get started, find your local HomeTeam team or schedule your inspection.

Conclusion

Lead pipes are a fixable problem, and the first step is simply finding out what you have. Here is what to remember:

• Homes built before 1986 are more likely to have lead pipes, but age alone does not prove it.
• A water test shows lead in your water. The scratch test, the magnet test, and your utility can help you find the pipe material.
• Cold water and a lead-certified filter are smart steps while you work on a long-term fix.
• A home inspection, lead testing, and water testing each look at a different part of the picture.

Ready to learn more? Explore HomeTeam’s home inspection, lead testing, and water testing services, or find an inspection team near you to talk through your options.