Signs you require lead water service replacement
- A dull grey line entering the basement that is soft, does not ring when tapped and shows shiny metal when lightly scratched
- Large, rounded wiped joints near the meter
- Galvanized steel with threaded fittings and poor flow at every tap
- A water test from the Region or a lab showing elevated lead
- Plans to renovate the basement in front of the service entry
Lead and copper ignore a magnet; galvanized steel grabs it. That quick test, plus a careful scratch, tells most homeowners what they have.
How we handle the job
The service line has two halves. The municipal side runs from the water main to the curb stop and belongs to the Region. The private side runs from the curb stop into your house, and that is the part we replace. Before work starts we confirm what is there, locate utilities and arrange the permit and any road-allowance permissions needed.
Depending on the yard, the new line is either trenched in or pulled through with trenchless equipment. Indoors, a fresh main shut-off goes in and we connect to the meter set. Where the Region is replacing its side at the same time, coordinating the two jobs avoids leaving a short length of old pipe between them.
Most of Pickering was built after lead services stopped being installed, so this is far less common here than in old Toronto.
Pickering homes and this problem
Most of Pickering was built after lead services stopped being installed, so this is far less common here than in old Toronto. The houses that do turn up with lead or galvanized lines are usually the older homes along Kingston Road, in the Liverpool and Bay Ridges area, and in the historic hamlets. Rural lots on wells have no municipal service at all, but some carry old galvanized pipe from the well to the house.
What affects the cost
- Distance from the curb stop to the foundation
- Driveways, walkways, trees and landscaping in the path
- Trenchless versus open-trench installation
- Permit and restoration requirements
- Whether a new main shut-off valve or meter set is needed inside
Expect the work itself to take a day or two once permits are in hand, with water off for only part of that time. Restoration of lawns and paving is planned before the first shovel goes in, so nobody is surprised by a trench across the driveway.
What you can do first
Look at the pipe where it enters your basement and take a clear photo, including the meter. Contact Durham Region about the public side, since the Region is responsible for that portion and can tell you about testing. Then call us with the photo and we can say whether a site visit is the next step.
Questions callers ask
Is the whole line my responsibility?
No. In Durham Region, the stretch from the main up to the property line is municipal. The portion from the property pipe into the house is the owner's.
Do you have to dig up my whole lawn?
Not always. Trenchless pulling methods can replace the line with small access pits at each end, depending on soil and obstacles.
How can I tell if my water has lead?
A laboratory test is the only way to know. Durham Region can advise on testing options for your address.