2007-01-15 08:54:14 · 11 answers · asked by pops 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
No they are not, but in saying that it is expensive to remove some lead pipes comletly. The pipe bringing the cold water into your house is most probably lead and buried underground. Any visible lead pipes should be removed.
2007-01-16 05:58:11 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't believe there is any law saying you should remove them from a house but if you have lead piping you would be well advised to replace them especially if you live in a soft water area. Soft water tends to be slightly acidic and lead dissolves in it, albeit very slightly. It is also a cumulative poison so even if you are taking in very small amounts each day, it all builds up and ultimately will do you no good at all! Hard water tends to coat the pipes with calcium and magnesium carbonate and this slows down the dissolution of lead but you will still have a small amount in solution.
You can't buy replacement lead pipes.
2007-01-15 17:06:52 · answer #2 · answered by Georgeo 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not according to any of the plumbing codes. Read some online about lead poisoning and you'll see why. Lead pipes caused the downfall of the Roman Empire, according to some. They used lead pipes to bring water into Rome 2000 years ago. You'll rarely see water pipes that use lead, however--modern water pressure will easily rupture lead pipes. What you may see are lead drain pipes, which don't pose any hazard to humans and can be left in place.
2007-01-15 18:11:02 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not anymore, but if they where installed in the past they are probably grandsfathered.
Now if the pipe breaks or your doing maintaince or repairs on it im pretty sure it needs to be replaced.
I remember on my street they replaced the water main a few years back and I was speaking with the contractor and a few homes still has lead supply pipes and the contractor was required to replace them with copper before he could connect it to the new water main.
2007-01-16 00:48:39 · answer #4 · answered by metrodish 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, it's illegal because lead causes brain damage and a lot of other problems. If you're buying a home, have the seller remove the pipes before you sign anything!
2007-01-16 04:45:04 · answer #5 · answered by Knuckledragger 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are 1000s of homes fed by lead pipes and it has not produced any abnormalities. The trend switched to copper but the norm now is plastic.
2007-01-15 16:59:39 · answer #6 · answered by tucksie 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
they are banned from being installed in new installations and also if repairs are made to existing plumbing it is the norm to remove and replace them.
they are most dangerous if they start to corrode when there becomes a slightly increased chance of lead poisoning
2007-01-15 17:05:59 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No and you should have notice on the taps saying NOT drinking water
2007-01-15 18:50:41 · answer #8 · answered by Mick 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
can't build with them anymore but if already there no law states they must be removed.
2007-01-15 16:59:50 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
no not anymore
2007-01-15 16:59:04 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋