If it’s lead, it should come out.
Thousands of Milwaukee homes still get their water through a lead line from the curb. There’s no safe level of lead for kids, and replacement is simpler than most people expect.
How it works.
- 01
Check the pipe yourself
In the basement, where the water line comes through the front wall. Scratch it: lead is soft, dull grey and scratches shiny silver. A magnet won’t stick.
- 02
Call Milwaukee Water Works
The city has a replacement program for the private side of the line. What it costs you depends on the program’s current funding and your address.
- 03
Replacement day
A new copper line is pulled or trenched from the curb to the house, usually in one day, with minimal digging in the yard.
- 04
Flush and filter
Run the cold water as the city instructs after replacement, and use a filter certified for lead until they say otherwise.
Where we come in
Many homeowners go through the city program directly, and that’s often the cheapest route. Some can’t wait for their block’s turn, or are doing a basement remodel and want it done now. We replace the private side ourselves and coordinate the curb connection with Milwaukee Water Works.
We’ll also look at what happens inside the house. A new service line feeding old galvanized pipe can stir up rust and scale, and we’d rather tell you that now.
Not sure what you’ve got? Send us a photo.
We’ll tell you if it looks like lead, free.
The old-house plumber’s site, built in seven days.
Sixteen pages: house types drawn by hand, three generations of the family, an honest hourly rate explained, and a lead service line page written for Milwaukee.