If you’re still not sure, or if you just love a good experiment, buy a home lead test kit from a hardware store. They’re cheap—like, coffee-and-a-donut cheap. You just rub a swab on a scratch, and if it turns red, you’ve got lead.
Identifying lead pipes and fixtures - Water - Water and Waste - City of
For the real gold standard, send a water sample to a certified lab. It costs about $20–$50, and they’ll tell you the exact number. It’s like sending your water in for a DNA test, but way less dramatic.
What If You Find Lead? Don’t Panic
Okay, so you found a suspect. That doesn’t mean you’re doomed to drink poison. Lead is only dangerous if it actually gets into your water, and that happens when water sits in the pipes for hours.
Your first move: flush the tap for 30 seconds to a minute before drinking. It’s like waking up your pipes and saying, “Hey, clear out the stale stuff.” Also, use cold water for drinking and cooking—hot water leaches more lead. Simple as that.
