How to identify lead pipes
Lead pipes are dull grey and soft, so they look different from copper. If you scratch one gently with a coin, the surface turns shiny silver. They are often found where the water supply enters older homes.
A magnet will not stick to lead. Look near the stopcock or under the kitchen sink. If you are not sure, ask a plumber or your water company to check.
Where the lead enters the water
Lead can pass into water that sits in a lead pipe for a long time. Soft water can pick up more lead than hard water, although each home differs. Water that has stood overnight may carry more.
Old solder and fittings can also contain lead, so even a short section matters. For that reason, even a short lead section matters. Your water company can tell you if it has tested your area.
The legal limit for lead in tap water is set in regulations, and water companies test against it. A home with lead pipes may still show low results on a given day. Because levels vary, the safest long-term step is to replace the pipes.
Reducing exposure while lead pipes remain
If water has stood in the pipes for hours, run the cold tap for a short time before you drink it, because fresh water has less lead. Use cold water, not hot, for cooking and drinks. Hot water can pick up more metal.
Pregnant women, infants and young children are most sensitive to lead. If you worry about exposure, speak to your GP or call NHS 111. Meanwhile, ask your water company about testing.
Replacement options
Replacing lead pipes is the lasting fix, since other steps only reduce the risk. A plumber can swap them for modern plastic or copper pipes. The work should follow water fitting rules.
You are usually responsible for pipes inside your boundary, while the water company looks after its own pipes. Ask the water company which sections are theirs. Get quotes before you start, since costs vary.
The water company matched replacement scheme
Some water companies replace their own lead pipes when the owner replaces theirs. Ask your water company whether it offers any scheme or help. Policies differ, so check yours.
If you are a tenant, tell your landlord, because they may need to act. If you are a landlord, take the risk seriously. Keep a record of any tests and work.
Related guides and local help
If you want to know more, read Low Water Pressure: Causes, Diagnosis and Fixes in the UK. You can also read How to Read Your Water Meter and Use It to Spot Leaks and New Bathroom or En-Suite: A Complete Drainage Planning Guide, because they cover closely related problems.
These guides help too: How to Find a Reliable Plumber: 10 Things You Should Check, Noisy Pipes: Water Hammer, Banging and What Causes It, Hot Water Not Working: A Diagnosis Guide for UK Homes, 5 Common Mistakes to Avoid When a Pipe Bursts at Home and Hard Water and Your Plumbing: Effects, Costs and Solutions. Each one explains a related topic in plain English.
Need help near you? Read our plumbing help page first, or see Plumbing Repairs in Bushey and Plumbing Repairs in Buxton. You can also see Leak Detection in Eastwood, since every service page has a free quote form. We pass each request to a local drainage engineer.
