Lead has been used throughout the centuries as a construction material due to its malleability, predicted corrosion resistance, and durability.
It is produced as a by-product when mining for other materials, such as gold, silver, and zinc, and therefore is considered a natural resource.
Unfortunately, however, lead is toxic, and after prolonged exposure, it can be fatal. So, why did we continue to use it? This tragic downside was not realized until the 1960s, when its effects were more readily noticed.
As it was a cheaper and more durable material, lead was used almost exclusively in the plumbing construction of the fast-growing City of Toronto. This means that it was used in all underground water systems, in the pipes that went to residences, and within residential plumbing systems as well.
When the issues and risks were exposed, the city made every effort to replace all the pipes with a more suitable material. Today, new homes are required to be constructed without the use of lead pipes.
However, these new builds only started avoiding lead in the 1980s, so houses older than this period may still contain lead pipes.
Lead pipes can lead to lead poisoning. This occurs when the lead levels in the water used for drinking and cooking become too high, resulting from the eventual corrosion of lead pipes.
When lead was being used in plumbing pipes, it was thought that the material would never corrode. Once the corrosion process starts, though, the pipes will quickly deteriorate, and that’s when the lead levels can become dangerously high.
While people with compromised health or the very young or elderly are naturally at a higher risk of lead poisoning, it can and does affect everyone, regardless of their age or health status.
The effects will also vary depending on how much lead you have been exposed to. The symptoms, however, will not start to show until it is almost too late, as some of them can be attributed to other causes and factors.
If you begin to feel unwell and start to show certain symptoms, it’s a good idea to know the age of your house and if any plumbing renovations have happened. The hospital staff and medical team may ask you those questions.
Lead poisoning can take longer to diagnose, as it often presents in ways that can be attributed to other conditions. Thus, it is important to let the medical staff know early on if your house is older than 1980.
The typical signs of lead poisoning can include, but are not limited to, the following:
Blood work will quickly confirm if lead toxicity is the cause of these problems. Still, as soon as you notice any signs, you need to contact your doctor, as left untreated, lead poisoning can be fatal.
So, how can you protect yourself and your loved ones from exposure to lead? Your local expert plumbing company will be able to help you determine what type of pipes you have in your house, and how to upgrade and remove any lead pipes.
A plumbing inspection will quickly answer this question and let you know if any of the old pipes have already been upgraded.
If lead pipes are discovered in your residence, then while the renovations and replacements happen (or to give you time to save up and budget for the work), there are things you can do to lessen your exposure without having to leave your home for an extended period.
Talk to your local plumbing company about clearing the pipes. Running your kitchen faucet every morning for 2–3 minutes will help reduce lead levels in your drinking water by removing the water sitting in the lead water pipe overnight.
In the interim, consider replacing your faucets and other fixtures to help ensure that there is no lead in them.
Adding a water filtering system to your plumbing can help to remove most of the lead toxicity. Such a system may not eliminate all lead materials, but it will be enough to help slow down your exposure.
Your local plumbing company will be able to advise on the best water filtering system and setup for your home and long-term needs.
While taking safety precautions is always a good idea, the best solution is to contact professional plumbers for replacement lead water services. As a trusted plumbing company in Toronto, Advanced Plumbing has the experience and expertise to take care of your lead water problems.
We’ll start by testing your water, checking for lead and other heavy metals like mercury. Then, we’ll replace the water pipe coming into your home before the meter. As an additional layer of protection, we also recommend adding a filtration system.
At the end of the day, lead is extremely toxic, and it can be fatal if one is exposed to it for too long. At Advanced Plumbing, we know how important it is to do the work efficiently and quickly to prevent this dangerous exposure from happening in the first place.
Our plumbing company is backed by a team of diligent and professional plumbers who are ready and standing by for your call, even if it is just to give you peace of mind.
Additionally, when your other plumbing needs arise, Advanced Plumbing is here to take care of every problem, big or small. From regular maintenance to emergency services, your friendly professional plumbers are just a call away.
You can call our plumbing company at 866-863-9539 or reach out online and book your free consultation today.