Determining the Water Service Line Diameter

The easiest way to determine the diameter of a pipe that is installed is to measure its circumference and then divide that measurement by pi (approximately 3.14159). You can measure the circumference using a flexible measuring tape or string wrapped around the pipe, then use the formula: Diameter = Circumference / π.  This video will guide you step-by-step.

Water Service Line Composition Guide

Is it lead?

Start with a magnet or scratch test. Gently scratch the surface of the pipe with a coin. If the pipe is soft, easily scraped, silver, and a magnet doesn’t stick, it is most likely lead.

Lead Service Line

If not Lead, than what?

Does a magnet stick? If so and the line is dull grey when scratched, this portion of the service line is galvanized steel.

Galvanized Steel

If the magnet doesn’t stick and the service is the same color as a penny when scratched or has greenish blue build up, this portion of the service line is copper.

Copper

If the magnet doesn’t stick, it is white-ish yellow or grey, is joined with a clamp, screw or glue, this portion of the service line is plastic or Chlorinated polyvinyl

CPVC