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How harmful is lead solder?

I ran all new plumbing in my home. I used pvc through the whole hose except for the hot water heater. The copper lines looked solid coming through the floor so I sweated a couple of fittings to convert to PVC. A few weeks later I am installing a new bathtub and went to sweat a couple of fittings to fabricate a pipe. I looked at my solder and it says 50/tin 50/lead. Oops! I must have grabbed the wrong solder at the hardware store. This is the same solder I used for my hot water heater. I am looking at hours of work to cut out the fittings on the water heater. Is this a major problem as far as health risks or since it is such a small amount maybe it is OK?

Public Comments

  1. It was made illegal for health reasons. It was used for many years though. Many houses still have pipes soldered with it in service. It was a protective measure and I really don't believe you will have a problem. If it makes you feel any better, years ago, even the taps into the mainlines were made of lead and are still in service. The only time they are required to be changed is if you run a new supply line to your house.
  2. http://nsc.org/library/facts/lead.htm check this site out
  3. Just the fumes from inhaling hot water steam that ran through those pipes is dangerous buddy - and can cause brain damage and major cumulative nervous system damage. Not to mention that if you sell the house without disclosing it (and that would be next to impossible) you would be majorly liable. Count on spending your time removing it. A kid inhaling the air from a room that was painted with lead based paint 50 years ago can have lead induced brain damage.
  4. I am a plumber with over 30 years of experience. And have used lead in many areas in my trade. If used properly lead made a great joint. It is less poisonous that the glue you used for the plastic pipes. Not to mention the chemicals that will leach into the water from plastic pipe. Lead joints were outlawed for many reasons, so we have moved to silver bearing solders now. Pick your poison.