Licensed Lead Pipe Replacement Contractors Serving Southern Ontario
Your home could have a plumbing system that is still using lead piping, don’t put that off as a possibility. Not only is that an inconvenience, it’s a health hazard that Canada’s own federal guidelines say there’s no safe level of exposure. For 20+ years we have made the switch to clean modern code compliant water lines with honesty, integrity and transparency that has been built through our decades of trust we have earned as a respected leader in the area of plumbing and drains.For over 20 years, BOS Plumbing and Drains has assisted homeowners in Mississauga, Oakville, Oakville, Hamilton, Brampton, Milton, Niagara, Cambridge and throughout the GTA to switch to clean modern code compliant water lines with honesty, skill and transparency built over the years of our earned trust.
What Exactly Is a Lead Service Line And Does Your Home Have One?
A lead service line is the underground pipe upon which the water distribution system in your home plumbing system is connected to the main water supply from your municipality. Lead pipe was the material of choice and was durable, flexible and inexpensive before the advent of copper and PEX throughout Ontario. What is the issue there is that it does not stop leaching.
Lead piping water contact, over time, causes small amounts of lead to leach out into your drinking water. It can’t be seen, tasted with consistency or smelled. The only sure way to know is by having a professional inspection or water test.
Your home may still have lead pipes if:
- It was built or last re-piped before 1986 (and never had a full water service line replacement)
- You notice a faint metallic taste from the tap
- Water appears slightly discoloured, especially after sitting overnight
- You have older galvanized fittings connecting to a soft grey pipe running into the foundation
- Your neighbourhood was developed pre-1980 and hasn’t undergone a lead water pipe replacement program
Not sure? Call our team. No guesswork, no pressure and we do extensive on-site testing all over Mississauga, Oakville, Brampton and the GTA!
Our Plumbing services
Expert solutions for all your residential & commercial plumbing needs
Service Areas
We serve the Greater Toronto Area and surrounding regions with local expertise
Why Lead Pipe Replacement Isn’t Something to Delay
While Health Canada has set a maximum acceptable concentration of lead in drinking water, scientists have become increasingly certain that there is no safe concentration of lead in drinking water, especially for children under the age of 6 and pregnant women. Long term exposure to the systems in your home plumbing has the following effects:
Neurological effects in children: Low levels of lead exposure have been associated with developmental delays, lower IQ and attention and behavioral problems in children. The damage can be permanent and 100% avoidable.
Cardiovascular risk in adults: Decades of peer-reviewed studies have linked chronic exposure to high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke risk, and concerns about damage to the arteries, which worsens with every year that lead pipes are in use.
Decline in kidney function: Over time, lead builds up in soft tissues. Chronic low dose exposure is especially harmful for the kidney, a continual blood filter.
Infant/fetal risk: Lead crosses the placenta. If you’re pregnant or planning a family, lead pipe replacement isn’t a future project, it’s an immediate priority.
The good news? However, as soon as the pipes are removed, the risk disappears. One of the more obvious cause and effect relationships that are found in residential plumbing is to remove the source and remove the exposure.
How BOS Plumbing Handles Lead Pipe Replacement: Our Process
We don’t turn up, charge it high and then go away. Each lead pipe replacement project we complete is done in a step-by-step and transparent manner, ensuring you stay up to date with the process.
Step 1: Inspection and Water Testing
Our licensed plumbers start by giving a thorough inspection of your household plumbing, including the entire course of your residential water service line from the street to the inside shut-off valve. Before a single hole is dug, we employ non-invasive diagnostic equipment to determine the amount of lead piping that is present. Water samples are taken for laboratory testing to set baseline lead concentrations, where appropriate.
Step 2: Permit Acquisition and Code Compliance
Permits are necessary for lead service line replacement in Ontario municipalities such as Mississauga, Oakville, Hamilton and the City of Toronto. All paperwork is completed, we communicate with local inspectors and ensure that all aspects of the plumbing repair complies with or exceeds the Ontario Building Code requirements. You won’t go out there, trying to get approvals from the bureaucracy.
Step 3: Safe Removal and Full Pipe Replacement
We cut out the lead pipe and cap it, rather than line it. Only complete removal can provide a complete lead risk reduction. Where possible, to ensure water pipes in house connections are replaced with minimal excavation and disruption of your landscaping, we use trenchless pipe pulling techniques.
All replacement materials are Health Canada and NSF/ANSI 61 certified. Copper (for interior service line runs and short exterior connections) or NSF rated PEX (for flexibility in tight areas and extended service line runs) are most commonly used. They both have a proven track record of use, are long-lasting, and don’t contain any lead.
Step 4: Restoration and Post-Replacement Water Testing
After installing the new water service line, we repair any affected surfaces, patch concrete, tamp soil, repair drywall access areas and perform a final flush and water quality test. It’s not finished until we’re sure that water coming out of your taps is clean.
What Does Lead Pipe Replacement Cost in the GTA?
Lead pipe replacement cost varies based on several factors:
- Length and depth of the existing lead service line
- Accessibility (concrete driveway vs. open lawn vs. foundation penetration difficulty)
- Whether the job is trenchless or requires open excavation
- The municipality’s permit fee structure
- Whether interior lead piping also needs to be addressed
For most homes in the GTA, Mississauga – Oakville – Hamilton, a comprehensive exterior lead water pipe replacement spans a reasonable range which is representative of good work, quality materials and regulation compliance. Gives detailed and itemised quotes, never vague, never any surprises.
Note: There are a number of municipalities in Ontario, including the Region of Peel, that provide partial or complete cost rebates and subsidy programs to homeowners for replacing lead service lines. During your consultation, ask our team, we’ll help you determine all the dollars available for you.
Beyond Lead Replacement: Full-Service Plumbing You Can Count On
BOS Plumbing and Drains is not just a plumbing and drains service provider. When we are in your home for a lead pipe replacement we can evaluate and fix anything else you have on your mind – this is because our licensed plumbers are qualified to solve all your residential plumbing and commercial plumbing issues within the GTA.
Some of our comprehensive plumbing services are:
- Emergency plumber response available 24 hours across Mississauga, Oakville, and the GTA for burst pipes, major leaks, sewer backups, and flooding
- Drain cleaning and hydro-jetting for slow, blocked, or backed-up drains
- Sewer line inspection and repair using camera diagnostics
- Water heater installation and replacement
- Fixture installation toilets, faucets, sinks, tubs
- Plumbing repair for leaks, valve failures, pressure issues, and more
- Commercial plumbing services for offices, restaurants, multi-residential buildings, and industrial properties
From plumbing a single unit in Mississauga to emergency plumbing in Oakville, to a choice plumbing company to manage a complex multi-unit plumbing job in Hamilton or NiagaraBOS will have the team, the tools, and the track record.
Serving the GTA and Beyond for Over 20 Years
Families and property managers in Southern Ontario have trusted us as their plumbers near me for more than 20 years. We provide service in the following areas:
OntarioLower Tor, Etobicoke, North York, Scarborough, East York Mississauga | Brampton | Oakville | Milton | Hamilton | Burlington Niagara Region | Cambridge | Kitchener-Waterloo | Guelph
Our dispatchers are prepared for any residential lead assessment or full water service line replacement in Brampton, or any commercial property in Oakville Ontario.
Ready to Replace Your Lead Pipes? Let’s Talk.
You should never have to worry about your water. BOS Plumbing and Drains has fully licensed plumbers, a 20+ year track record, and covers the GTA and Southern Ontario, and is the plumbing company that can handle your lead pipe replacement safely, affordably and correctly.
Call us today for a free on-site assessment. Whether you’re in Mississauga, Oakville, Hamilton, Brampton, Cambridge, Niagara, or Milton we’ll come to you, assess your plumbing system, and give you clear answers and honest pricing. No high-pressure sales. No surprises.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lead Pipe Replacement
How Do I Know If My Home Has Lead Service Lines?
The best way is to have a professional inspection. The color of lead pipe is dull grey, and is soft enough to be scratched with a key, unlike copper (orange/brown) or galvanized steel (silver with visible threads). The highest risk category are homes built prior to 1986 in the GTA. Please call BOS, we will confirm.
Is Partial Lead Pipe Replacement Enough?
Not always. If only the city-side pipe is replaced and the private property-side pipe is left in place, then lead can be brought into your water at the city/private property pipe connection, which is called galvanic leaching. The most permanent and safest solution is to replace the pipe from the street to the interior shutoff.
How Long Does the Work Take?
Typical water service line replacement services can be finished in one to two days. More expansive lots, longer service lines or projects that involve extensive excavation can take longer. We give you a realistic project timeline at your free assessment.
Is an Emergency Plumber Available If I Have an Urgent Concern?
Yes. BOS Plumbing and Drains has a 24 hour plumber response line. Please contact us at any time if you have noticed a leaking lead pipe, a discolouration of the water or any other emergency plumbing repair situation. We are open 24 hours a day for the service of Oakville, Mississauga, Hamilton and the surrounding GTA.
Do You Handle the Permits?
Absolutely. Permit acquisition, inspection scheduling, and final sign-off are handled entirely by our team. You won’t need to navigate municipal offices or building departments, that’s our job.