How to Check Your Water Service Line

To determine if your home built before 1988 has lead water piping, follow the instructions below. 

1. Look up your address

Look up your address using the online mapping tool below to see if your service line material is already listed. 

• Enter your address in the search field located in the upper right and press enter.
• Your property on the map will be highlighted and will display the Utility Side Material (city-owned) and Private Side Material (customer-owned) to the left of the map.  
  • The Utility Side Material (city-owned) is the responsibility of the City of Raleigh. We are working on plans to identify and replace any lead service lines and some galvanized steel lines that require replacement.
• If it’s identified as something like copper or PVC, or it says “Known Not Lead,” great news! That means it’s not lead. A “Known Not Lead” designation means we don’t know the exact material, but your home was built after 1986 or we have records showing it’s not lead. North Carolina banned lead service lines back in 1986, so it's pretty unlikely your home has one.

2. Check your crawlspace

Before you start, check if you still have your Home Inspection Report. Your inspector might have already identified your service line and even snapped a photo. That would be a great starting point!

To check your crawlspace, you'll need a flashlight, magnet, key/penny, and camera.

And a quick tip: If you're going alone, let someone know where you're headed and when you'll be back.

3. Grab your tools

• Flashlight
• Key or coin
• Magnet

4. Search for pipe

Look for where the pipe enters your home. Once you spot it, take a closer look to and try and few things.

Here's a quick guide to help you identify the material:

• Lead: Usually gray or silver, soft, and scratches easily. Magnets won’t stick. Often widens at the base.
• Galvanized Steel: Gray or silver, tough, and magnets stick to it. 
• Copper: Dull brown, sometimes greenish. Scratches will be the same color as a penny. Magnets won’t stick.
• Brass: Brown, often with green corrosion. Scratches will be gold. Magnets won’t stick. 
• Plastic: Smooth and can be red, blue, black, or white.

5. Snap a picture

Get a clear photo of the pipe entering your building. Take a few photos of your service line from different angles. Even if you’re not sure about the material, clear pictures can help our team identify it.

6. Email Raleigh Water

Send an email to customercare@raleighnc.gov with your picture, name, and address. Let them know you're responding to the LCRR project.