Order summary
- Lead service lines are most common in houses built before the mid-1950s.
- Check the pipe where the water service enters your basement, before the meter.
- Toronto has offered residents free testing for lead; check toronto.ca or call 311 for current details.
- Replacing the private side and the City side together gives the full benefit.
Numbered steps
- Find the service pipe. It usually comes through the front basement wall, near the floor, and leads to the meter and the main shut-off.
- Look at it. Lead is dull grey, soft and often has a rounded, bulb-shaped joint. Copper looks reddish-brown; galvanized steel looks grey but hard, with threaded fittings.
- Do the scratch test. Lightly scratch the pipe surface using a coin or house key. Lead reveals a shiny silver surface. Neither lead nor copper will hold a magnet; it will stick to steel.
- Get the water tested. A lab test shows whether lead is present at the tap. Follow the sampling instructions exactly, including how long water should sit in the pipes first.
- Ask about the City side. The portion of the service from the property line to the main belongs to the City. Contact 311 about coordinating its replacement with yours.
- Plan the replacement. A new copper or approved plastic line is run from the property line to the house, by trench or trenchless method, and connected to a new shut-off.
Plumber's tip: Until a lead line is replaced, drink and cook with cold water only, and run the tap until it is cold after water has stood still in the line for hours. An NSF-certified filter for lead adds protection. Questions? (365) 517-5705.
Errors we see on site
- Replacing only the private portion and assuming the job is done.
- Using hot tap water for baby formula or cooking.
- Treating a single clean test result as proof there is no lead line.
- Disturbing a lead pipe with rough handling; vibration can raise lead levels temporarily.
- Forgetting interior lead solder on very old copper, which can also contribute.
When the desk should come out
Call when the service looks like lead, when a test result shows lead at the tap, or when you are planning work near the front of the basement or the front yard. A plumber confirms the material, explains the permit and City coordination, and scopes the trench or trenchless route. Water heater sediment can also discolour water, so a water heater flushing sometimes resolves taste issues unrelated to lead. For older steel supply inside the house, read galvanized pipe warning signs.
Our full list of services is on the specialties page.
Who is most at risk
Health agencies treat lead exposure as most serious for young children and pregnant people. If either lives in an older home with an unknown service, testing should come first on your list.
Quick checklist
- Scratch the service pipe: lead shows bright silver
- Run water before drinking after it sits
- Ask the City about lead testing
Your questions on this one
How do I know if my Toronto house has a lead pipe?
Check the service pipe before the meter. Lead scratches easily, looks dull grey and scratches to a shiny silver. A test of your tap water confirms whether lead is reaching it.
Does the City replace the public portion?
The City of Toronto has a program for replacing its portion of lead services. Phone 311 to learn how the program works right now and how long it takes.
Will a filter remove lead?
A filter carrying NSF/ANSI certification for lead reduction can, when maintained as directed. Treat a filter as a bridge until the lead line itself is dug out.