Why it matters to the pipes
Lead was a common material for water service pipes in Toronto until around the mid-1950s. Over time, small amounts of lead can dissolve into water that sits in the pipe, especially overnight or when a house has been empty. Health Canada advises keeping lead exposure as low as possible, particularly for young children and during pregnancy, because there is no known safe level.
Many Etobicoke homes from that period have had their service replaced during renovations, but plenty have not. The only way to know is to look.
Have to hand
- A flashlight and a bucket
- Old towels and a pair of gloves
- The way to the main valve
Put the tools down if
- Water will not stop at the valve
- Sewage rises in a floor drain
- You smell gas near the heater
The steps, in order
- Find the incoming pipe. It usually enters through the front basement wall and runs to the water meter and main valve.
- Look at its colour and shape. Lead is dull grey and often has a bulb-shaped joint where it meets other pipe.
- Do a gentle scratch test. Lightly scrape the surface with a coin or key. Lead reveals soft, shiny silver metal underneath.
- Try a magnet. Hold a fridge magnet to it: steel grabs the magnet, while lead and copper ignore it.
- Tap it. Copper rings; lead gives a dull thud.
- Test the water. Toronto Public Health has handed out no-cost lead sampling kits in the past; ask whether that program is running now.
If the pipe is lead, run the cold tap until it is noticeably colder before drinking or cooking, and never use hot tap water for food or baby formula. A certified filter rated for lead removal can help in the meantime.
Common missteps
- Assuming a house is lead-free because the visible pipes inside are copper. The service in the ground may still be lead.
- Replacing only the private side and leaving a lead pipe on the city side, which still exposes the water to lead.
- Scratching hard enough to damage the pipe; a light scrape is all that is needed.
- Disturbing the pipe heavily during other work, which can shake loose lead-bearing scale.
When to ring for help
If you confirm lead, or the pipe is hidden and you cannot tell, a plumber can identify it and explain the steps for replacement. Our lead pipe replacement page sets out how the work is done, including coordinating with the City for its portion. Older homes with lead often have other dated plumbing as well; when planning a refresh, slow fixtures may need bathroom drain cleaning or more thorough work.
It is also wise to prepare the outdoor plumbing for winter in the same visit; see winterizing outdoor taps.
A word on renovations
If you are planning work on an older home, include the water service in the conversation from the start. Digging up the front yard for a new service is easier before new landscaping or a fresh driveway goes in. Renovations can also disturb pipes and fittings that contain lead, so flushing the lines thoroughly afterwards is a good idea.