One of the most stressful situations for any homeowner is wondering if your tap water contains lead. It can have significant consequences for you and your family’s health. However, it’s never been easier to test your drinking water to see if any action needs to be taken. Here are a few ways you can do a lead water test at home and how to test for lead in water in the most accurate way.
Find a Lab Certified by the Department of Environmental Protection
The most accurate way to test your water for lead is to find a lab certified by your local health authority or municipality. Look for one that specifically tests residentially submitted drinking water samples for examination. You’ll either pick up or have a sample container mailed to you.
Follow the lab’s detailed instructions on collecting a water sample and submitting it for analysis. This method is quick and accurate but can be pricier than some other options.
Buy Instant Home Test Kit
Many hardware store chains offer home testing kits for lead content in your home’s drinking water. You can also find them online for relatively good prices. These tests work best when you take a water sample very early in the morning when the water’s had a chance to sit in the pipes for several hours. Run your tap for about two minutes then grab your sample.
Dip the kit’s test strip into your sample container and follow the manufacturer’s directions to determine how much lead is in your drinking water. This is one of the most cost-effective and quickest ways to check for lead, however, you’ll only know if it’s positive or negative, and not if you’re exceeding or coming under any lead content thresholds put in place by local authorities.
Get Water Tested by Water Filtration Company
Water filtration companies will provide a service to test your drinking water for lead content, but there are few details to be aware of. The company will likely offer a free test and let you schedule an appointment online.
Once you have the test results, and if your water tests positive for lead, the company will provide you with some filtration solutions to make your drinking water safe without having to undergo costly renovations. The only downside to this option is that you may find yourself under pressure from water filtration companies to buy their products and services.
Get Water Tested by a Local Water Supplier
Another way to measure the exact lead content in your drinking water is to contact your water supplier or municipality.
Toronto and many other cities offer a free testing kit that can be picked up or delivered to your door. It’s a very accurate test, but it could take up to 30 days to receive your results.
Self-Diagnose Your Pipes
It may not be the most reliable method, but you may be able to tell with a visual inspection if your drinking water pipes are made from lead and pose a health threat to the family. Simply look at the pipes under your sinks or in your basement, and you should be able to see if they’re made from copper or plastic. If the pipes are dark in color and look like metal material, the pipes could be lead or galvanized steel.
So what should you do next? Use a coin or key and scratch the exterior of one of the pipes in question. If a white line appears or you can see a scratch mark, you have lead pipes.
If there is no scratch or mark, then you have galvanized steel. If your home doesn’t have lead, the city’s water lines to your home could have. You can call the city and ask them to check their records for this.
In most cases, you should be able to tell if you have lead with these water lead testing methods, but it’s not a great idea to leave these things to chance. That’s why we recommend getting an official test done by a private lab or the municipality.
Contact Us
Now you know how to test water quality at home. But if you have lead pipes and need them replaced, call the plumbing professionals at WaterGuard Plumbing. We are the most trusted plumbing service in Toronto and the GTA for all of your plumbing repair and installation needs. Our team of experts offers comprehensive plumbing services for lead pipe replacement and other plumbing emergencies you may encounter. If you’re planning to do some plumbing that’s eligible for Toronto rebates, we’ll take care of the application for you! Contact WaterGuard plumbing today for a consultation.
