The safety of your drinking water is a concern for every homeowner. Lead contamination, often caused by outdated plumbing systems, can pose serious health risks, particularly for children and pregnant women. Ensuring your home’s plumbing is safe and compliant with modern standards is essential to protecting your family’s health.
This article explains the risks of lead in drinking water, how it enters your plumbing system, and the steps you can take to ensure a safe and reliable water supply.
How Does Lead Get into Drinking Water?
Lead can enter drinking water through plumbing materials containing lead, especially in older homes. Common sources include:
- Lead pipes: Common in homes built before the 1980s.
- Brass faucets and fittings: Often contained small amounts of lead before regulations were tightened.
- Lead solder: Used to connect copper pipes before being banned in 1986.
Corrosion of these materials, particularly in areas with acidic or low-mineral water, can release lead into the water supply.
Health Risks of Lead in Drinking Water
Even small amounts of lead can be harmful, with significant health implications such as:
- For children: Developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral issues.
- For adults: High blood pressure, kidney damage, and reproductive problems.
- For pregnant women: Increased risk of miscarriage and harm to fetal development.
Lead is particularly dangerous because it accumulates in the body over time, leading to chronic health issues.
Steps to Ensure Safe Plumbing
Test Your Water for Lead
The first step in addressing lead contamination is testing your water. Homeowners can:
- Use DIY test kits: Widely available and easy to use.
- Contact a certified lab: For accurate analysis of water samples.
Many Pennsylvania municipalities offer free or subsidized water testing programs.
Replace Lead Pipes and Fixtures
If lead is detected, replacing outdated plumbing is crucial. Work with a licensed plumber to:
- Remove lead pipes and fittings.
- Install modern, lead-free alternatives such as PEX, CPVC, or stainless steel pipes.
- Ensure compliance with NSF/ANSI 372, the standard for lead-free plumbing products.
Install a Water Filtration System
Point-of-use filters certified to remove lead, such as those meeting NSF/ANSI 53 standards, are effective for immediate protection. These systems include:
- Faucet-mounted filters.
- Under-sink filtration systems.
Regular Plumbing Inspections
Routine inspections by a certified plumber can identify potential risks and ensure your system complies with current safety standards.
Why Hatfield, PA Homeowners Should Act Now
Many homes in Hatfield, PA, were built during eras when lead pipes and solder were common. Homeowners in the area should prioritize:
- Water testing: To determine if lead is present.
- Proactive plumbing updates: To replace any outdated components.
- Regular maintenance: To identify and resolve issues before they escalate.
Don’t wait until it’s too late. Contact Heiland Services today to schedule your water testing and plumbing inspection. Our certified experts in Hatfield, PA, are ready to help you identify risks, replace outdated components, and provide lead-safe solutions for your home.
