Many homes built before the mid-1950s across Scarborough were originally connected to the municipal water supply with a lead water service pipe, a common practice at the time that's no longer used. Lead pipe doesn't announce itself with obvious symptoms, so many homeowners aren't aware they have one until it's specifically checked. Replacing a lead water service removes a material that has no place in modern drinking water systems and gives you a durable, more predictable pipe going forward.
The water service pipe running to your home is generally split into two sections: the portion the City of Toronto owns, running from the water main under the street to the property line, and the portion you own privately, running from the property line into your house. Understanding this split matters because it determines who is responsible for which section and how a full lead pipe replacement typically gets coordinated.
Signs You Need Lead Pipe Replacement
Here's how to check whether your water service pipe is lead:
Colour and texture
Lead pipe is a dull grey colour, noticeably different from the shinier look of copper or the brighter finish of galvanized steel.
The scratch test
Gently scratching the pipe with a key or coin reveals a shiny, silver-coloured surface underneath if the pipe is lead; copper will show a coppery colour and galvanized steel will show grey without the same soft shine.
The magnet test
A magnet won't stick to lead or copper pipe, but it will stick to galvanized steel, which helps rule out that material.
Softness of the pipe
Lead is a soft metal, so it can sometimes be gently dented or is noticeably easier to mark than copper or steel pipe of the same size.
Age of the home
Homes built before the mid-1950s across Scarborough are the most likely to have an original lead water service, since lead was a common plumbing material at the time.
Where the pipe enters the home
The water service pipe is usually visible where it enters the basement near the water meter, which is the easiest place to check its material.
How We Do It
How we approach a lead pipe replacement:
Step 1: Confirming the pipe material
We check the water service pipe where it enters your home, using visual inspection and simple tests to confirm whether it's lead.
Step 2: Checking program eligibility
We discuss the City of Toronto's Priority Lead Water Service Replacement Program with you, since eligible homes can have the city-owned portion of the line replaced through the program (details are available at https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/water-environment/tap-water-in-toronto/lead-drinking-water/priority-lead-water-service-replacement-program/).
Step 3: Planning the private-side replacement
We plan the replacement of the portion of pipe you own, from the property line into your home, sizing and routing the new line to match your home's plumbing.
Step 4: Coordinating timing where possible
Where the city is replacing its side under the program, we coordinate timing so the private-side replacement can happen around the same time, since replacing both sides together is what gives a home the full benefit of removing lead from the water service.
Step 5: Installing the new pipe
We excavate as needed and install new pipe on the private side, connecting it securely to your home's interior plumbing and to the property line connection point.
Step 6: Testing and restoration
We confirm water flow and pressure at the new connection, then restore the excavation site as close as reasonably possible to its original condition.
Lead pipe checks in Scarborough's older homes
Some of Scarborough's oldest housing, including older sections of Birch Cliff, Cliffside, and pockets closer to the Bluffs, dates back to before the mid-1950s, when lead was a standard material for water service pipes. Homeowners in these areas who haven't previously had their water service checked are more likely to still have an original lead connection.
Because the City of Toronto's Priority Lead Water Service Replacement Program addresses the municipally owned portion of the line, homeowners in eligible areas across Scarborough are encouraged to look into the program directly while planning the corresponding private-side replacement with a plumber, so both sections get addressed together.
Why Choose Scarborough Plumbing
Clear material confirmation
We check the pipe directly rather than assuming based on a home's age alone, since some homes had earlier partial upgrades.
Program awareness
We understand how the City of Toronto's Priority Lead Water Service Replacement Program works and how the private-side replacement fits alongside it.
Coordinated approach
Where a city-side replacement is happening, we aim to align the private-side work so the full benefit is realized at the same time.
Familiar with older Scarborough plumbing
We regularly work in the pre-mid-1950s homes across Scarborough where original lead services are most likely to still be in place.
Lead Pipe Replacement FAQs
How do I know if my home has a lead water service?
Homes built before the mid-1950s are the most likely candidates, and you can check the exposed pipe near your water meter using the colour, scratch, and magnet tests.
What is the City of Toronto's Priority Lead Water Service Replacement Program?
It's a City program that replaces the city-owned portion of the water service, from the main to the property line, for eligible homes; you can find details at https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/water-environment/tap-water-in-toronto/lead-drinking-water/priority-lead-water-service-replacement-program/.
Who is responsible for the pipe from the property line to my house?
That section is privately owned by the homeowner, and replacing it is a separate scope of work from the City's program.
Why does it matter if both sides are replaced together?
Replacing only one side leaves lead pipe in the remaining section, so addressing both the city-owned and private portions together gives the full benefit of removing lead from the water service.
Can I check for lead pipe myself before calling a plumber?
Yes, the colour, scratch, and magnet tests near your water meter are a reasonable first check, though confirming with a plumber is worthwhile before planning any replacement.
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