I’m replacing a faucet in my kitchen and noticed that California now requires (as of 2010) all faucets be lead free. I purchased mine in 2009 – it doesn’t comply with the new code. Does anyone have any experience with this? Are the building inspectors enforcing it?
Thanks
Replies
I would not
worry about it.
You say you are replacing the kitchen faucet - meaning the home is at least a few years old -- are you 100% certain that there is no other lead present in your water supply system? You can't be certain if you have any copper piping unless you personally sweated every joint.
Different story if CPVC or PEX, but I still would not give it a second thought.
Even if the supply plumbing was PEX or other plastic and your faucet had lead solder and you were personally paranoid about lead in your water - the faucet gets flushed almost instantly when you turn on the water so unless you are catching the first few ounces out of the faucet ........the lead is gone by the time you get a glass under it.
Jim
Cali code
Hi Jim,
I'm not personally concerned about the amount of lead in the water supply. California passed a law limiting amount of lead that's allowed in faucets (I think it's zero). I'm finishing up a kitchen remodel. I'm concerned that when the final inspection is done that the inspector will want proof that the faucet complies with the code. The faucet I have doesn't (I'm buying a faucet for a second sink - the manufacturer mentions that it complies with the new law - that's how I found out about it). I'm wondering if they even check when they do the inspection.
Thanks
OK, is your new...
code compliant faucet marked in any way on the faucet set itself? Sticker or some such?
If no, and the only mention of compliance is on the packaging ---- I would save the package from the 2010 compliant one which you have and claim the other box wound up in the dumpster.
1) I seriously doubt the inspector will question your 2009 faucet and without any visible identifiers on the compliant faucet itself, very difficult for him to question at all.
2) Normally I am very conscious of code compliance -- but I think this new CA requirement is just rediculous -- glad I don't live or work there for precisely this reason.
Many of us on the right coast laugh about the CA warnings on packaging -- in fact some use them as a basis for choosing between two unknown / unfamiliar products -- adhesives come to mind - if we are trying to choose between two unknown adhesives, we will buy the one with the CA warning and it probably performs better!
I posted some time ago on this topic and got some pretty humorous replies.
Jim
I've been thinking of having a teeshirt made up: "Warning: The state of California has determined that this body contains chemicals that may cause cancer."
Don't give them
.....any more ideas! Think of our fellow BT'rs who live there.
I went back into my history and found the old thread on CA warning labels, there is some pretty funny stuff there - you helped!
Archives - no thread numbers like the old days (too easy I guess). Thread started 5/31/2009 - "What doesn't CA label?" in the Tavern so I guess some will not be able to see it.
Jim