Older homes can still have lead in the plumbing, and it is worth knowing where. Here is how St. Petersburg homeowners can check their lines and reduce their exposure.
Where lead can hide
Lead was used in service lines, solder, and some older fixtures. Even in homes with newer interior plumbing, the buried service line from the street may still be lead, and that is the utility or homeowner's responsibility depending on where it sits.
How to check
A plumber can identify the service line material at the point where it enters the home. A simple scratch test — lead is soft and dull gray — plus a visual check of the solder joints tells you a lot.
Simple ways to reduce exposure
Run the cold tap for a minute before using water that has been sitting in the pipes, and use only cold water for drinking and cooking. A point-of-use filter certified for lead adds another layer in St. Petersburg kitchens.
The long-term fix
Replacing lead service lines and old fixtures is the permanent answer. hard water and humid conditions are common, and coastal salt air accelerates corrosion on fittings A Pinellas County pro can scope the job and help you understand what is yours to replace.
Know your water
Testing is the only way to know for sure. Call 888-217-3585 and St. Petersburg Home Plumbing Co will connect you with a St. Petersburg pro who can check your lines and recommend the right fix.
Plumbing in St. Petersburg: what to know
In St. Petersburg, hard water and humid conditions are common, and coastal salt air accelerates corrosion on fittings. Pros in our network know the local quirks and bring the right parts on the first visit.
Across Pinellas County — from Gulfport, Kenneth City and South Pasadena to ZIP codes like 33701, 33705, 33712 — homeowners deal with the same kinds of issues. The tips above apply locally, and when a job goes beyond a quick fix, a vetted local pro is only a call away.
Need a hand in St. Petersburg?
If a plumbing issue is beyond a quick fix, don't wait for it to get worse. Call 888-217-3585 and St. Petersburg Home Plumbing Co will match you with a vetted local pro — usually within minutes. Learn more about plumbing help in St. Petersburg.