Identifying whether your property contains lead pipework is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your household’s drinking water. Many UK homes built before the mid-1980s still rely on lead supply pipes, internal lead pipework, or old lead soldering on copper pipes. Lead carries well-documented health risks, and locating it early allows you to plan testing, maintenance or replacement work before problems arise.
This guide from Tiger Utilities explains every reliable method homeowners can use to identify lead pipes, along with a practical step-by-step checklist you can follow inside your property.
What Do Lead Pipes Look Like?
Lead pipes have a distinct appearance and feel. Use the following characteristics to recognise them:
Colour
Lead pipework is usually dull grey. When newly scratched it becomes shiny silver.
Surface texture
Lead feels smooth and slightly soft compared to copper and galvanised steel.
Shape and construction
Lead service pipes often appear slightly irregular in shape, sometimes with gentle bends rather than straight lengths. The joints may look swollen or bulbous due to old wiped joints.
Size
Many older lead service lines are between 18 mm and 25 mm in diameter but may vary depending on the age of the installation.
Weight and flexibility
Lead is heavy and bends more easily than copper. It has a noticeably softer feel when handled.
Location clues
Lead pipes commonly appear:
In older kitchens, under sinks or behind cupboards
In cellars, basements or external walls of pre-1970s homes
Where the pipe enters from the street
In older properties with original fittings
Tiger Utilities recommends that homeowners rely on multiple indicators rather than appearance alone. The next section covers all methods.
All Reliable Ways To Identify Lead Pipes
The Scratch Test (Visual Confirmation)
Use a coin, screwdriver or key to gently scratch the surface.
Result:
If the pipe reveals a shiny silver surface, it is likely lead.
Copper will appear reddish or brown.
Steel or iron will show a dark metallic colour and may produce sparks when struck lightly.
Always scratch a small, safe section and avoid damaging the pipe.
The Magnet Test
Magnets do not stick to lead.
Result:
If the magnet does not attach, the pipe could be lead or copper.
If it does stick, the pipe is likely steel or galvanised iron.
This test alone is not enough but is very helpful in combination with the scratch test.
Check the Point Where the Pipe Enters Your Property
The main supply line usually comes through the floor or wall near:
The kitchen
The cellar
The utility room
The stop tap
If this main pipe is grey and easily scratched to a silver finish, it is very likely lead.
Inspect Internal Plumbing and Solder
Even if the main supply pipe has been replaced, older internal plumbing may still contain:
Lead solder on copper joints
Short lead sections connecting to appliances or tank systems
Lead solder is dull grey and rougher than modern silver solder.
Look At External Service Records or Property Documents
Older property records, deeds or renovation files may identify the material used during installation.
Local water companies often keep records of:
What pipe material they own (up to the boundary)
Whether any historical lead replacement has occurred
Tiger Utilities can assist homeowners in interpreting these records.
Check Construction Age of the Property
Age alone cannot confirm lead pipework, but it is a strong indicator.
Likely to contain lead:
Homes built before 1970
Homes built between 1970 and 1985 with original supply pipes
Homes where minor upgrades were done but not full service line replacements
Unlikely to contain lead:
Homes built after 1990
Homes that have undergone modern plumbing renovation
Water Quality Clues (Supporting Evidence Only)
These signs do not confirm the presence of lead but may suggest it:
Metallic or bitter taste
Staining around taps
Particles or debris after periods of non-use
Sudden changes in taste during winter
Water testing remains the only accurate water-quality indicator.
Conduct a Certified Water Test
A laboratory test can detect both:
Dissolved lead
Particulate lead from pipe flakes or solder
Tests should be:
Taken from first-draw water
Carried out after stagnation
Verified by an accredited UK laboratory
This does not identify pipe material directly but confirms whether lead is entering the supply.
Professional Pipe Verification
Tiger Utilities offers full inspection and service line identification using:
Visual inspection
Material testing
Internal camera checks
Boundary to property mapping
This is the most certain method for homeowners who need confirmation before replacement or renovation.
Comprehensive Lead Pipe Identification Checklist
Use the list below to assess your property systematically.
Step 1: Inspect the Incoming Mains Supply
Is the pipe grey and slightly soft?
Does it scratch to bright silver?
Does a magnet fail to stick?
Is the pipe irregular or slightly bent?
If yes to most of these, your incoming pipe may be lead.
Step 2: Check for Internal Lead Pipes or Solder
Look behind sinks and in older kitchens.
Inspect joints on copper pipes.
Identify dull grey solder that looks rough or uneven.
Step 3: Review Property Age
Built before 1970: higher risk.
Built 1970 to 1985: possible risk.
Built after 1990: lower risk.
Step 4: Examine Water Quality Indicators
Metallic taste
Visible debris after stagnation
Discolouration during winter
These signs support evidence but do not confirm pipe material.
Step 5: Check Records
Ask your water supplier for pipe material records.
Review your property documentation.
Look for renovation notes indicating pipe upgrades.
Step 6: Arrange a Professional Inspection
If you suspect lead pipes, schedule a formal assessment. This is the most accurate and reliable way to confirm the material across the entire supply route.
So, Do You Have Lead Pipes?
Identifying lead pipes is essential for protecting your home’s water supply. While simple tests like scratching and magnet use are helpful, a full evaluation often requires a combination of visual inspection, material testing, and review of property records. Winter conditions, renovations and age-related deterioration can all increase the urgency of confirming whether lead pipework is present.
If you believe your property may contain lead pipes, Tiger Utilities can carry out a detailed inspection, confirm materials, provide water testing guidance, and offer modern replacement solutions that improve long-term safety.
