My mother has an old house that has a lead service pipe coming from the external valve carrying drinking water

Question

Is this safe?

Answer 1

Assuming you are in the UK, the water company's responsibility ends at the external stopcock. From there into the house is your mother's problem, I'm afraid. So, if she wants the pipe renewed with a modern alkathene one, she will have to pay for the work herself.

Lead isn't good for you, but (as long as you don't habitually lick it, eat it, breathe in lead dust or work with molten lead) its dangers can be exaggerated by the Health and Safety industry. If your mum is worried, I suggest that she runs the water for a while before filling the kettle in the morning, so as to replace the water which has been in contact with the lead pipe overnight.

When ingested, lead is a poison which slowly builds up in the body, and in extreme cases it begins to cause brain damage and in very extreme cases could eventually be lethal. Being realistic, is your mum showing signs of going a bit ga-ga? If not, then unless she is young, I don't think you or she need worry.

I have had a length of lead pipe in my incoming supply for 35 years, and recent tests show my IQ to be above normal. Still, without the lead, perhaps I would have been a genius.....

Answer 2

Get in touch with your Mother's water company. Lead pipes for drinking water are not safe at all. The body cannot get rid of the lead and it is poisonous. In the meantime, tell your Mother to run the tap for a short time in the mornings before she uses the water for the kettle. This will flush any lead out which has accumulated overnight. She would also be better using bottled water until the pipe has been changed. I am disgusted that your Mum has been put in danger like this when we live in a modern world. Profits before people again.

Answer 3

It's probably reasonably safe if left alone, and not tampered or messed about with. The flow of water through the pipe over the years will have put a very thin coating on the inside of the pipe, more so if she is in a hard water area.

If any work is envisaged on or around the pipe, then take the opportunity to have the service replaced with plastic, as is the norm these days.

You're as unlikely to get lead poisoning from this pipe, as you are unlikely to get copper poisoning from the rest of the pipework in the house.

Answer 4

try a moist vac yo suck each and all the water out of the line be certain you have the main perfect close off and a faucet open and in case you nonetheless get a sprint water use the bread additionally does husband understand a thank you to solder sparkling the pipe and joints use soldering paste no count if it somewhat is one million/2 pipe all you pick is a pair of million/2 solder warmth setting up till solder melts with the aid of touching warm setting up not with the aid of the flame of the torch

Answer 5

if you can afford to update the pipes its a good idea but if you havnt had lead poisoning by now dont panic its obviously not a problem. I dont want to be rude but is your mum old enough for a grant from the council. they may help.

Answer 6

I would say no , inform your local water agency who you pay your bills to tell them that their equipment is not fit for the use it is interned for and that it poses serious health concerns

Answer 7

lead is a no no, its better if you had copper pipe for drinking

Answer 8

This is a good link to have a look at http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/diseases/lead/en/

Answer 9

no its not..lead poisoning can result from drinking water contaminated with lead.

Answer 10

They used them for years. I would imagine there is very little lead contamination.
Id leave it.