Lead Pipes in Industry and Buildings
For many centuries lead pipes were used to supply water to households, most famously during the Roman Empire. In fact the term plumber derives from the Latin word for lead.
More recently though, due to health problems associated with lead, lead pipes have been banned for use in the home, except for some vent and drainage systems.
Lead Pipes in Industry
Lead pipes are still used in industry today because of the properties of lead that include malleability, flexibility and resistance to corrosion. Typical applications include chemical plants, nuclear plants, paper manufacturing plants and Hydro and plating applications.
Lead Pipe for these applications is made from either chemical Pure lead or up to 6% Lead Antimony Alloy.
Lead pipes are used in pulp and paper industry in cooling systems which use sulfur dioxide gases and in transporting the bleaching stock which uses hydrogen peroxide or zinc hydrosulphite and for draining the discharge from the pulp digesters
Other applications for Lead Pipes are for Soil Waste, Ventilating, and telephone and telegraph underground piping, pressure tubes (copper lead) and cable sheathing.
Lead Pipe in homes and buildings
Appliances and plumbing fixtures require vent pipes that run through the roof of a house. Lead pipe flashing is installed over vent pipes and incorporated into the shingle pattern to create a cohesive, water-resistant rooftop.
Pipe fabricated from 99.7 percent pig lead; various lead alloys are also still used for drainage. Lead Sleeves and Cones are used with Expansion Bolts for extra heavy loads or for installation in poor masonry materials.
Lead is the traditional base metal of organ pipes, mixed with varying amounts of tin to control the tone of the pipe.
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