Understanding Your Water Service Line
Your water service line plays a critical role by carrying the water from the municipal main into your home through an underground system of pipes. In many older homes, such as those in Chicago and it’s neighboring communities and suburbs, lead was the material choice for the piping system. However, it’s now known that lead is detrimental to health and wellness, and replacing these pipes is essential to meet today’s health and safety standards.
What is a B Box?
A B Box, short for Buffalo Box, is a valve located between the city water main and your residence. It’s typically made of cast iron and is designed to accommodate a buffalo valve key, which is used to control the water supply to your home. The water company uses this valve to turn off the water in case of an emergency. Homeowners are responsible for all the underground piping from their B Box (street) to their home.
How to Check Your Service Line
If you are unable to see the service line, you may have to check utility records or dig it up to determine the material. Green Tech Plumbing, based in Des Plaines, IL and serving the Northwestern Suburbs of Chicago, is available 24/7 to provide a free estimate for lead service line replacement. Call 847-518-5338 or email us to get started.
For More Information on Lead Testing click here.
Is Your Home at Risk?
Homes built before 1986 are more likely to have lead water service lines. To assess the risk, you can check for:
- Lead service lines connecting the water main to your house.
- Old plumbing solder.
- Outdated brass faucets and valves.
- Get a water report from an independent laboratory.
The Risks of Lead Water Service Lines
Lead water service lines were a common installation due to the low cost and ease of use. Recent findings on the health risks, especially the carcinogenic properties of lead, have led to a nationwide initiative for replacement. Our expertise lies in replacing these hazardous lead water service lines with copper to ensure your drinking water is safe.
Adverse Health Effects of Lead In Children
Even low levels of lead in the blood of children can result in:
- Behavior and learning problems
- Lower IQ and hyperactivity
- Slowed growth
- Hearing problems
- Anemia
- In rare cases, the ingestion of lead can cause seizures, coma, and even death
In Pregnant Women
- Reduced growth of the fetus
- Premature birth
- Effects of Workplace Hazards on Female Reproductive Health (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
- Lead can also be transmitted through breast milk. Read more on lead exposure in pregnancy and lactating women (PDF) (302 pp, 4.3 MB, About PDF)
In Adults
Lead is also harmful to adults. Adults exposed to lead can suffer from:
- Cardiovascular effects increased blood pressure and incidence of hypertension.
- Decreased kidney function.
- Reproductive problems (in both men and women).
Get Expert Help for Lead Service Line Replacement
Are you concerned about the presence of lead in your water supply? At Green Tech Plumbing, we are here to help you replace your outdated lead service line with a new, safe, and code-compliant option. With over a decade of experience serving the Chicago area and Northwestern Suburbs, you can count on us to handle your water service line replacement needs.
The Process of Replacing a Lead Service Line
Our team of skilled technicians will start by digging a trench from your property to the street to expose the lead lines. Next, we will carefully remove the old lead service line and install a new copper service line in its place. To ensure its stability, we will back fill the trench with stone and then repair the landscaping by adding soil and grass seed.
Chicago Lead Replacement Program
The city of Chicago is offering a valuable opportunity for residential homeowners – a free permit for water line repairs! This can help save up to $3,100 on repair costs. Additionally, if your home does not already have a water meter, the city will attach a new service line to the water main and provide a free water meter. To take advantage of this offer, the request for a fee waiver must be made as a standalone and cannot be in conjunction with any home renovation or expansion projects. Don’t miss out on this chance to save big on water line repairs!