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Homes built before 1986 are at the highest risk, as that is when the Safe Drinking Water Act banned the use of lead pipes and solder. However, even 'lead-free' brass fixtures installed before 2014 could legally contain up to 8% lead.
Because lead leaches from the plumbing into the water, the EPA requires a 'first-draw' test. This samples the water that has sat motionless in your pipes for at least 6 hours, representing the highest concentration of lead.
If you suspect lead, do not boil your water—boiling water evaporates the H2O and actually concentrates the lead. Instead, use cold water for cooking and install an NSF/ANSI 53 certified filter for lead reduction.
Related on this site
- Guide: Lead in Water: First-Draw vs Flushed Testing(5 min read)
- Service: Lead in Water Test, First-draw + flushed sample protocol — like the EPA does it.