The pipe that carries city water into the house. In homes built before the mid-1950s–1960s it may be lead, which is a health concern because lead can leach into drinking water — most when water sits in the pipe, and more with certain water chemistry. Health Canada considers the full removal of a lead service line the most effective, permanent fix, because treatment alone often can't keep levels low enough.
$2,000–8,000+ to replace (sometimes cost-shared with the city)Address before purchasePlumbing
Why it matters
It's a health issue — lead exposure is worst for infants, young children, and during pregnancy — and Health Canada's maximum acceptable concentration for lead in drinking water is 0.005 mg/L, lowered from 0.01 mg/L in 2019, with guidance to keep levels "as low as reasonably achievable." Many Canadian cities now run replacement programs and have disclosure expectations, so a lead line affects value and sometimes financing. It's exactly the high-value, hard-to-see detail Casaroo is built to surface — it lives where the water enters, which buyers never look.
How to spot it
At the main shutoff/meter, lead pipe is dull grey, soft, scratches to a shiny silver, and is NOT magnetic (a fridge magnet won't stick — unlike galvanized steel, which is magnetic). A rounded "bulb" or wiped joint near the meter is a classic tell. Note that lead can be on the private side, the city side, or both.
What it costs
Roughly $2,000–8,000+ to replace the private portion; some municipalities replace or cost-share the public-side portion. In Toronto, for example, the city offers free at-the-tap lead testing, runs a Priority Lead Water Service Replacement Program for the city-owned portion, and provides a free certified faucet filter when it replaces its side.
What to do
Address before purchase. Have a licensed plumber confirm the material, check your city's lead-service-line program and any disclosure, and consider a certified water test. Use a certified lead-removal filter (look for NSF/ANSI 53) in the meantime.
Education and triage, not a home inspection. Casaroo flags a suspected lead line from the photo at the meter — a plumber and a water test confirm it.
Common questions
What is Lead water service line?
The pipe that carries city water into the house. In homes built before the mid-1950s–1960s it may be lead, which is a health concern because lead can leach into drinking water — most when water sits in the pipe, and more with certain water chemistry. Health Canada considers the full removal of a lead service line the most effective, permanent fix, because treatment alone often can't keep levels low enough.
Why does it matter for home buyers?
It's a health issue — lead exposure is worst for infants, young children, and during pregnancy — and Health Canada's maximum acceptable concentration for lead in drinking water is 0.005 mg/L, lowered from 0.01 mg/L in 2019, with guidance to keep levels "as low as reasonably achievable." Many Canadian cities now run replacement programs and have disclosure expectations, so a lead line affects value and sometimes financing. It's exactly the high-value, hard-to-see detail Casaroo is built to surface — it lives where the water enters, which buyers never look.
How can I spot it?
At the main shutoff/meter, lead pipe is dull grey, soft, scratches to a shiny silver, and is NOT magnetic (a fridge magnet won't stick — unlike galvanized steel, which is magnetic). A rounded "bulb" or wiped joint near the meter is a classic tell. Note that lead can be on the private side, the city side, or both.
How much does it cost to fix?
Roughly $2,000–8,000+ to replace the private portion; some municipalities replace or cost-share the public-side portion. In Toronto, for example, the city offers free at-the-tap lead testing, runs a Priority Lead Water Service Replacement Program for the city-owned portion, and provides a free certified faucet filter when it replaces its side.
Programs vary by municipality — check your city's; a plumber and water test confirm. Casaroo flags, it does not inspect.
Last reviewed 2026-06-27.
Casaroo reviews each guide against current pricing, code, and insurer practice. Cost ranges are 2026
estimates that vary by region, size, and access — confirm specifics with a licensed professional.