We developed a leak in the upstairs bathroom. The house is really old, and our plumber was surprised to find a lead drain pipe between the walls to be the cause of the leak. He cut about 6" off and replaced it with PVC.
I claimed the lead pipe, and now I have a couple of questions:
1) Does anyone know what percentage of lead the pipe is likely to be? It's a drain pipe, about 3" in diameter. The house was built in 1920, we believe.
2) The plumber also cut off a shorter piece of the pipe that is still attached to the under sink brass drain pipe. Do I risk contamination if I throw this piece into the smelting pot? Or will the brass/aluminum/whatever float to the top before it begins to melt?
3) Plumber tells me he's got some old lead ingots he will dig out and give me. Is there any easy way to determine what alloy I'll have?
Thanks,
WM