DIY guideWater service line

Find out what your water service line is made of

A gentle scratch and a magnet on the pipe where it comes in tell copper, galvanized steel and lead apart. Then ask your water utility.

5 steps

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Go to the water meter. Look at the pipe coming up through the floor or the wall, before the meter and the main valve.
Scrape a small patch with a coin or a key. Copper shows the colour of a penny. Lead is soft and turns shiny silver. Galvanized steel stays a dull grey.
Scratch lightly, and wash your hands afterwards.
Hold a fridge magnet to the pipe. It sticks to galvanized steel, but not to copper or lead.
Take a photo of the pipe and the patch you scratched, and tell Handyman what you found.
Don't scrape any more. Ask your water utility about the line on their side, and ask Handyman for a plumber to replace yours.
Until it's replaced, run the cold tap for a minute before you drink, and cook with cold water only.

Handyman says: I'll find a plumber to replace it.

Free for every home. Handyman asks a few questions, then books a pro it trusts.