Lead in plumbing solder
- Thread starter Monty_jon
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Do you have hard or soft water?
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No! The air around them is probaly doing more damage than the water they drink!
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If the lead was leeching out of soldered joints in significant amounts then after 40 years there would be significant leaks in those soldered joints
It is illegal now to use leaded solder in water supply pipes.
But in my view the amount of lead which would get into the drinking water would be very small.
Unless you live in an area when the water is contaminated by peat or something similar.
But in my view the amount of lead which would get into the drinking water would be very small.
Unless you live in an area when the water is contaminated by peat or something similar.
No, not really. There are other things to worry about. CO poisoning, unsafe electrical wiring, air quality, asbestos etc etc.
The solder joints work by heating the copper until the solder melts. In it's liquid state, it is wicked between the copper surfaces to seal the joint. Very little solder enters the pipe itself if done properly.
If there is exposed solder, the lead will leach into the water, and the longer the water stands, the higher the concentration. If you are concerned, just run the water to flush through fresh water.
If you are truly worried, test the water. You can buy kits from Amazon for a few pounds. If the level is high, you'll need to think about replacing every joint in both cold and hot water pipes to all outlets.
Ironically, the word "plumber" comes from the latin for lead worker!
The solder joints work by heating the copper until the solder melts. In it's liquid state, it is wicked between the copper surfaces to seal the joint. Very little solder enters the pipe itself if done properly.
If there is exposed solder, the lead will leach into the water, and the longer the water stands, the higher the concentration. If you are concerned, just run the water to flush through fresh water.
If you are truly worried, test the water. You can buy kits from Amazon for a few pounds. If the level is high, you'll need to think about replacing every joint in both cold and hot water pipes to all outlets.
Ironically, the word "plumber" comes from the latin for lead worker!
Probably not the pipes.
You should only be drinking water from a tap directly connected to the mains water supply. That should ideally be reconnected with lead free joints or in plastic.
When bathing or showering you should not be drinking the water.
You should only be drinking water from a tap directly connected to the mains water supply. That should ideally be reconnected with lead free joints or in plastic.
When bathing or showering you should not be drinking the water.
got news for you. look underneath the stop cock inside the house. I'll have a guess its fed by a pipe that is made totally of lead. Ours is anyway and was built in 1970.
Its hard water
No, it was changed sometime before we moved in
No problem at all then
The lead won't be leached out and internal of pipes long been coated by the hard water.
Sorry according to Severn Trent it’s Moderately hard
Is it possible to request a supplier to test the lead content?
They wont test the lead content inside your house, as already said do it yourself the kit is simple to use
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