Mister PlumberAre you still drinking water from those ancient lead pipes in your home?
Well, it’s time to put down that glass and call Mister Plumber for a lead pipe replacement.
We promise to replace those pesky pipes with state-of-the-art, non-toxic one that keeps your plumbing system lead-free and your drinking water safe to guzzle.
Call us at 416 939 1530 or send us a message now for a FREE consultation!
Do you have lead in your tap water?
If you’re concerned about the possibility of lead contamination in your tap water, keep an eye out for these potential sources of lead:
- Lead water service pipe connecting your home to the municipal water supply
- Homes built before 1955
- Household plumbing fixtures with high lead content
- Lead-based plumbing solder
Remember, the longer water stays in contact with any of these sources, the higher the amount of lead that may seep into your tap water.
Pro tip: You can test your tap water for lead and receive instructions at a laboratory or call the Ministry of the Environment at 1-800-565-4923.
Not sure if you have lead in your tap water?
Why replacing your lead pipes is a must
Consuming water from lead pipes can seriously jeopardize your health. Hamilton Public Health reports that pregnant women, infants, and children under six are at the highest risk.
Here are the harmful consequences of drinking lead-contaminated water:
- Anemia
- High blood pressure
- Muscle and joint pain
- Kidney damage
- Headaches
- Long-term brain and nervous system damage
- Developmental issues and learning disabilities in children
- Hearing disorders
- Memory loss
At Mister Plumber, we provide a full lead pipe replacement service. We’ll replace your pipes with high-quality, non-toxic materials to keep your drinking water safe for you and your family.
Call us at 416 939 1530 or send us a message for a FREE consultation.
How to identify a lead water service pipe in your home on your own
If you’re concerned about whether or not you have a lead water service pipe in your home, there are a few things you can look out for. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to identify a lead water service pipe in your home:
- Locate your water meter: Your water meter is usually located on the outside of your house, and it can help you identify where the meter’s located in the basement. If it’s on the side of the house, the meter is usually located on that particular side.
- Identify the water service line: Once you’ve located the water service line, you’ll want to do a visual inspection of the service type. There are five different types of water services that can come into your home: copper, PVC plastic, lead, half-inch alloyed lead, and galvanized pipe.
- Conduct a scratch test: If you’re not sure if the service line is made of copper, you can conduct a scratch test. Use a dull surface like a coin or loonie to scratch the surface of the pipe. Copper will scratch easily and become shiny, while lead will remain dull in color and not scratch easily.
- Be careful when conducting the scratch test: Be sure to scratch the surface of the pipe in the right location, which is the part of the water service between the main valve and the wall. Don’t do the scratch test on the part of the water service that’s coming from the wall.
- Don’t handle old pipes roughly: Some of these water services are very old and fragile, so be careful when handling them.
- Ask for help if you’re unsure: If you’re still unsure about the type of service line you have, call a professional plumber or the City of Hamilton for an inspection.
If you need more clarity, you can watch this video demonstration.
Get a lead water service replacement loan from the City of Hamilton
Funding assistance is available in the form of a $3,000 interest-bearing loan from the City of Hamilton. This loan will be transferred to your monthly water bill and repaid over a maximum ten-year period.
If you’re a low-income homeowner who qualifies for energy customer support programs like LEAP or OESP, you’re eligible for a zero-interest loan to cover the cost of the replacement.
Check out the loan eligibility requirements on the official page by the City of Hamilton.
Here’s what to expect for your lead pipe replacement by Mister Plumber
- Consultation: We’ll start by having a chat with you to understand your needs and answer any questions you may have. Call us at 416 939 1530 or send us a message now for a FREE consultation!
- Inspection: Then, we’ll inspect your home’s plumbing to identify any lead pipes that need to be replaced.
- Preparation: Next, we’ll prepare your home for the lead pipe replacement process by shutting off the water supply and protecting your home from any potential damage.
- Removal: Once we’re ready to get started, we’ll carefully remove the old lead pipes from your home and dispose of them safely.
- Replacement: Then, we’ll install new pipes made of safer materials like copper or plastic to ensure that your drinking water is free of harmful contaminants.
- Testing: After we’ve installed the new pipes, we’ll test your water supply to ensure that it’s safe to drink and free of any harmful contaminants.
- Clean-up: We’ll make sure to clean up the work area and remove any debris or materials used during the lead pipe replacement process.
- And, we’ll follow up with you to ensure that everything is working properly and answer any additional questions you may have.
Ready for a safe set of water pipes?
Get in touch with Mister Plumber to get started. Our team is available 24/7 and we’re here to help you make sure that your home has safe drinking water.
Call us at 416 939 1530 or send us a message now for a FREE consultation!
FAQs
How much lead is allowed in drinking water in Ontario?
The Maximum Allowable Concentration (MAC) for lead in regulated drinking water systems is 0.010 milligrams per litre (10 micrograms per litre). This level is based on average concentrations of lead in water consumed over a long time and long-term effects of lead.
It’s worth noting that short-term consumption of concentrations above the MAC does not necessarily cause risk to health. However, certain groups of people such as children six years of age and under, pregnant women and women planning a pregnancy are more susceptible to the harmful effects of lead.
