Here is information to help you determine the material used for the piping coming into your home. Check the pipe material coming into your home either through the basement wall or the floor, and before any shutoff valve or meter. You will need a tool such as a screwdriver to scrape the side of the incoming pipe, and also a magnet is very helpful to have.
You Have Copper Pipe if:
Scratch test: After scraping the area will be the color of a penny.
Magnet Test: A magnet will not stick to copper pipe.
Tapping Test: Tapping a copper pipe with a coin will produce a metallic ringing noise.
You Have a Lead Pipe if:
Scratch Test: If scraped, the area will be shiny and silver-colored.
Magnet Test: A magnet will not stick to a lead pipe.
Tapping Test: Tapping on a lead pipe with a coin will produce a dull sound.
You Have Galvanized Steel Pipe if:
Scratch Test: If scraped, the area will be a dull gray.
Magnet Test: A magnet WILL stick to galvanized steel pipe.
Tapping Test: Tapping on a galvanized pipe with a coin will produce a metallic ringing noise.
You Have Plastic Pipe if:
Plastic Pipe will be blue or white in color. Used in recently constructed homes.
