What to Do When Your Bathroom Remodel Reveals Lead Pipes

The Discovery Behind the Wall

Your bathroom remodel is underway. The tile is removed, the drywall is opened, and the plumber is ready to rough in new supply lines. Then they point at the exposed pipes and say, “These are lead.”

For homeowners, hearing that your family has been drinking water that passes through lead pipes is alarming. Questions rush in: Is our water safe? Has this been harming our family? How much will this cost to fix? Do we need to replace everything?

These are the right questions. Lead in plumbing is a serious issue, but it is also a solvable one. This guide walks through what to do, in what order, and what it will cost.

Where Lead Exists in Bay Area Homes

A Brief History

Lead was used in plumbing materials for centuries because it is soft, easy to work with, and resistant to corrosion. In fact, the word “plumbing” comes from the Latin word for lead: plumbum. In the United States, lead was used in water supply pipes, solder for joining copper pipes, and service lines connecting homes to public water mains.

The Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1986 banned the use of lead pipes and lead solder in drinking water systems. California followed with its own regulations. This means any Bay Area home built before 1986 could potentially contain lead plumbing materials.

Where Lead Hides

Lead supply pipes: Pure lead pipes were used for interior supply lines in some homes, particularly those built before the 1940s. These pipes are dull gray in color and soft enough to be scratched with a coin or key, revealing shiny silver metal underneath.

Lead solder: This is the most common form of lead in plumbing. Before 1986, solder used to join copper pipes typically contained 50% lead. Look at the joints where copper pipes connect. If the solder appears as a thick, dull silver band, it may contain lead. Post-1986 solder is lead-free and typically has a brighter, shinier appearance.

Lead service lines: The pipe connecting your home to the city water main may be made of lead. This section is partially the homeowner’s responsibility (from the property line to the house) and partially the water utility’s responsibility (from the main to the property line). Many Bay Area homes still have lead service lines that predate current standards.

Brass fixtures and valves: Older brass faucets, valves, and fittings can contain up to 8% lead. While the 2014 Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act reduced allowable lead content to 0.25% for new fixtures, older brass components may still leach small amounts of lead into the water.

Health Risks of Lead in Drinking Water

Lead is a neurotoxin with no safe level of exposure. The health effects of lead are well documented:

Children: Even low levels of lead exposure can affect brain development, reduce IQ, cause learning difficulties, and contribute to behavioral problems. Children absorb lead more readily than adults.

Pregnant women: Lead crosses the placental barrier and can affect fetal development. It is also linked to increased risk of miscarriage and preterm birth.

Adults: Long-term exposure can cause kidney damage, cardiovascular effects, reproductive problems, and neurological symptoms.

The EPA has set an action level of 15 parts per billion (ppb) for lead in drinking water. This is not a safety threshold; it is a trigger for required action by water systems. Any detectable level of lead is a concern worth addressing.

What to Do Step by Step

Step 1: Stop Using Affected Water for Consumption

Until you have test results confirming lead levels, take precautions:

• Do not drink or cook with hot water from the tap (hot water dissolves more lead)
• Run cold water for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using it for drinking or cooking (this flushes standing water that has been in contact with lead pipes)
• Use a water filter certified for lead removal (look for NSF/ANSI Standard 53 certification)
• Consider using bottled water for drinking and cooking until lead levels are confirmed

Step 2: Test Your Water

Contact a California-certified laboratory to test your drinking water for lead. The testing process is straightforward:

1. Collect a “first draw” sample (water that has been sitting in the pipes for at least 6 hours, typically first thing in the morning)
2. Collect a “flushed” sample (water after running the tap for 2 minutes)
3. Send both samples to the lab

Results typically take 5 to 10 business days. The cost is $20 to $50 per sample. Many Bay Area water utilities also offer free or subsidized lead testing programs; check with your local provider.

Step 3: Assess the Extent of Lead Plumbing

Your plumber should evaluate the entire home to determine where lead exists:

• Inspect all accessible supply pipes in the crawl space, attic, and behind open walls
• Check solder joints on copper pipes for lead content
• Identify the service line material from the water meter to the house
• Note any brass valves or fittings that may contain lead

This assessment determines the scope of replacement work needed.

Step 4: Develop a Replacement Plan

Based on the assessment, work with your plumber to develop a replacement plan. The options range from targeted to complete:

Targeted replacement: Replace only the lead-containing sections identified during the assessment. This is the minimum recommended approach and is appropriate when lead is limited to a specific area (such as the bathroom supply lines exposed during the remodel).

Whole-house re-piping: Replace all supply piping throughout the home with copper or PEX. This is recommended when lead solder is found on copper pipes in multiple locations, as it eliminates all lead contact points at once. Whole-house re-piping during a remodel is significantly less expensive than doing it as a standalone project because walls are already accessible.

Service line replacement: If the service line from the water main to the house contains lead, replacing it eliminates the largest single source of lead exposure. This work typically requires a plumbing permit and may need coordination with the water utility.

Step 5: Choose Your Replacement Material

Modern supply piping options include:

Copper: The traditional standard. Durable, proven over decades, and does not leach any harmful substances. Higher cost for materials and labor. Typical lifespan: 50 to 70 years.

PEX (Cross-Linked Polyethylene): The modern standard for residential plumbing. Lower cost, faster installation, and excellent performance. Flexible tubing reduces the number of fittings and potential leak points. Approved by all Bay Area building departments. Typical lifespan: 40 to 50 years.

Both materials are completely lead-free and safe for drinking water supply.

Step 6: Understand the Costs

Replacement Scope	Cost Range
Bathroom supply lines only	$2,000-$5,000
Kitchen + bathroom supply lines	$4,000-$8,000
Whole-house re-piping (supply only)	$8,000-$15,000
Whole-house re-piping (supply + drains)	$12,000-$20,000+
Service line replacement (property line to house)	$3,000-$10,000

All pricing is approximate, reflects 2026 Bay Area market conditions, and is subject to change. Every project is unique. Final costs are determined on a project-by-project basis during our design phase.

California Regulations

California has several regulations relevant to lead in residential plumbing:

Safe Drinking Water Act compliance: Plumbing materials installed in drinking water systems must be “lead free” as defined by federal and state law (weighted average of 0.25% lead or less).

Title 17 lead-safe work practices: When renovation work disturbs lead-containing materials (including lead paint, which often accompanies lead plumbing in pre-1986 homes), contractors must follow California’s lead-safe work practices. This includes containment, worker protection, and proper disposal of lead-contaminated materials.

Disclosure requirements: Sellers and landlords must disclose known lead-based paint hazards under federal law (for homes built before 1978). While this specifically addresses paint, the general obligation to disclose known material defects under California Civil Code Section 1102 extends to known lead plumbing.

AB 100 (Water Utility Coordination): Some California water utilities offer programs to help homeowners replace lead service lines. Check with your local water provider for current programs and funding.

How to Prevent Lead Exposure

Test Before You Remodel

If your home was built before 1986, test your water for lead before starting any remodel. This simple step ($20-$50 per sample) reveals whether lead is present and at what concentration. Knowing before you start allows you to plan replacement work into your remodel scope and budget rather than discovering it mid-project.

Use Certified Water Filters

While not a substitute for pipe replacement, a water filter certified for lead removal (NSF/ANSI Standard 53) provides an immediate safety layer. Pitcher filters, faucet-mount filters, and under-sink filters with lead certification are available from $20 to $200.

Flush Your Pipes Before Use

If you know or suspect lead plumbing and have not yet replaced it, always run the cold water tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. This flushes water that has been sitting in contact with lead pipes and brings in fresher water from the main.

Never Use Hot Tap Water for Cooking or Drinking

Hot water dissolves lead more readily than cold water. Always use cold water for cooking, making baby formula, and preparing beverages, then heat it on the stove or in a kettle.

When to Call a Professional

Contact a licensed plumber immediately if:

• You discover gray, soft pipes during a remodel that may be lead
• Your water test results show lead above 15 ppb
• You notice discolored water (yellow, brown, or with particles)
• Your home was built before 1986 and you are planning any plumbing work
• You have young children or a pregnant family member and an older home

A licensed plumber experienced in lead pipe replacement can assess your home, develop a replacement plan, and execute the work according to California regulations.

Why Custom Home Design and Build

Lead plumbing is a common discovery in the older Bay Area homes we work on regularly. Our Phase 1 assessment for any pre-1986 home includes an evaluation of visible plumbing materials and a recommendation for water testing when lead is suspected.

When lead pipes are found during construction, our team responds immediately. We coordinate with our plumbing crew to assess the full extent of lead in the home, develop a replacement plan, and integrate the work into the remodel schedule. Because we manage the entire project, there is no delay while you search for a separate plumber or negotiate scope changes.

We also ensure compliance with California’s lead-safe work practices and proper disposal of lead-containing materials. This protects your family, our crew, and your property.

If you are planning a bathroom remodel in an older Bay Area home, start with a conversation about what might be behind those walls. We would rather identify lead plumbing during planning than during demolition.

Schedule a consultation to discuss your remodel and make sure your home’s plumbing is safe.