Lead & Galvanized Water Service Line Replacement in Englewood, CO

Prior to the 1960s, lead was widely celebrated in municipal water plumbing for its exceptional malleability, corrosion resistance, and ease of installation. Thousands of older homes in Englewood (particularly zip codes 80110 and 80113) were connected to city water mains using pure lead service pipe or galvanized iron pipe connected via curved lead 'goosenecks.'

In 1986, federal amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act banned the installation of lead pipes in public and private water systems. However, buried underground on private property, many original service lines remain in daily use today, posing potential health hazards to families.

Many homeowners believe that because their service pipe is galvanized steel, their water is entirely free from lead risk. Unfortunately, plumbing science reveals a dangerous phenomenon known as the 'lead sponge' effect.

When a galvanized steel pipe was historically connected downstream of a lead gooseneck or lead city main, microscopic lead particles washed into the pipe and adhered to the rough, porous iron rust scales lining the pipe wall. Even if the city removes the public lead pipe, the private galvanized line continues to leach accumulated lead into drinking water for decades.

You can determine your water service line material by locating where the pipe enters your foundation wall before the water meter and performing three simple diagnostic tests:

The Magnet Test: Touch a strong magnet to the pipe. If the magnet sticks firmly, your pipe is galvanized steel or iron. A magnet will NOT stick to lead, copper, or brass.

The Coin Scratch Test: Gently scrape the surface of the pipe with the edge of a key or penny. If the scraped area easily gouges and shines bright silver like a new nickel, you have a lead pipe. If it shines bronze like a penny, it is copper. If it is dull gray and difficult to scratch, it is galvanized steel.

The Tap Sound Test: Tap the pipe gently with a coin. Lead produces a dull, muffled thud, while galvanized steel and copper produce a clear, ringing metallic tone.

Replacing an underground water service line no longer requires digging a massive trench across your front lawn, sidewalk, and driveway. Madrid Plumbers utilizes modern trenchless pneumatic pulling and directional boring techniques.

A small excavation pit is dug at the street curb stop and another inside your basement or utility room. A heavy-duty cable is fed through the old line, and a hydraulic pulling rig extracts the old pipe while simultaneously drawing in a seamless, NSF-certified Uponor PEX-a or Type K copper line. The work is completed in a single day, followed by city permitting and inspection.