Lead pipes were often joined using a technique called “wiped joints,” which leave a distinctive bulging, almost artistic blob of metal around the connection. If you see these lumpy, hand-sculpted joints on a dull gray pipe, you’ve basically found lead’s calling card.
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These joints look a bit like a fat, melted candle dripped onto the pipe. Modern copper or PVC pipes use neat, uniform fittings, so anything that looks handmade and wonky deserves a second look. It’s like finding a vintage vinyl record in your plumbing—cool, but not for drinking.
Cultural reference: Remember the Flint water crisis? That nightmare began when old lead service lines—like the ones with bulb joints—started leaching into the water due to changes in treatment. It’s a stark reminder that age alone doesn’t mean safety.
