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S_t_e_p_h_a_n6 Jul 2021 00:46Hello,
I couldn’t find a clear answer online, so I’m asking here. Is it allowed to connect new pipes to old lead pipes?
I understand that lead pipes should be replaced, but this concerns a guest bathroom in my grandmother’s house. It is used very rarely, and it doesn’t seem worthwhile to install new pipes until then.
After a minor update of other pipes, the plumber said that, according to the law, new pipes are not allowed to be connected to old lead pipes.
Good luck, Stephan
I couldn’t find a clear answer online, so I’m asking here. Is it allowed to connect new pipes to old lead pipes?
I understand that lead pipes should be replaced, but this concerns a guest bathroom in my grandmother’s house. It is used very rarely, and it doesn’t seem worthwhile to install new pipes until then.
After a minor update of other pipes, the plumber said that, according to the law, new pipes are not allowed to be connected to old lead pipes.
Good luck, Stephan
Hello,
About 40 years ago, I trained in gas, water, and sewage systems, but later worked in a different field. At that time, it was still common practice during renovations to solder copper pipes to lead pipes. The important thing is the order in the direction of flow. Lead before copper is not a problem; the opposite would cause the less noble metal to corrode—this relates to the electrochemical series. However, this is somewhat relative because the old pipes are usually heavily scaled, preventing direct contact with the bare metal.
For the same reason, I wouldn’t worry too much about possible lead contamination in the water. The crucial point is that water does not remain stagnant in the pipes for too long, so regular flushing is important, and the first few liters should not be used.
Unfortunately, I cannot comment on the legal requirements. Limits must be complied with, but who actually checks that?
If the effort is manageable, I would recommend replacing all the pipes in the house.
Best regards,
Olli
About 40 years ago, I trained in gas, water, and sewage systems, but later worked in a different field. At that time, it was still common practice during renovations to solder copper pipes to lead pipes. The important thing is the order in the direction of flow. Lead before copper is not a problem; the opposite would cause the less noble metal to corrode—this relates to the electrochemical series. However, this is somewhat relative because the old pipes are usually heavily scaled, preventing direct contact with the bare metal.
For the same reason, I wouldn’t worry too much about possible lead contamination in the water. The crucial point is that water does not remain stagnant in the pipes for too long, so regular flushing is important, and the first few liters should not be used.
Unfortunately, I cannot comment on the legal requirements. Limits must be complied with, but who actually checks that?
If the effort is manageable, I would recommend replacing all the pipes in the house.
Best regards,
Olli