Frequently Asked Questions
Q. "If these are plated, why do they need to be "lead free"?"
A. Chrome plating is an exterior plating; the inside of the fitting is not completely plated. The fitting must therefore be constructed of drinking water safe materials and plated to be a chrome plated fitting that complies with current low lead regulations.
Q. "Will IPS-sized fittings work with NPT pipe thread?"
A. Yes. Many companies and individuals use the abbreviation IPS which normally refers to iron pipe size. When we use the term 'IPS-sized', or either Mips (male) or Fips (female), we are referring to pipes with NPT threads. NPT is the abbreviation for National Pipe Thread Tapered which is the thread standard used in the United States for galvanized, black, brass, stainless steel, PVC, ABS or other materials to connect pipes and fittings in plumbing. We offer more detailed information about NPT pipe threads here.
Q. "How does lead get into drinking water this day and age?"
A. Primarily, trace amounts of lead get into drinking water due to aging infrastructures, such as old pipes and plumbing systems parts. The Plumbing Manufacturer's Institute (PMI) states that over the past decade, lead levels in plumbing fixture fittings have been reduced to insignificant levels due to improvements in modern manufacturing processes.
Q. "Does lead content in brass faucets affect me?"
A. Water is a solvent, probably the best known solvent on earth. As such, water will absorb metals, minerals, and chemicals that it comes in contact with over a period of time. A faucet that has brass waterways can be susceptible to this process. Water sitting in your faucet can leach the lead out of the brass and enter your water system.
Q. "I'm hearing a lot about lead-free these days. What does that have to do with plumbing products and how does the new lead-free legislation affect me?"
A. Basically, the laws implemented Jan. 1st, 2014 require plumbing products that come in contact with drinking water to be "essentially lead free" (less than 0.25% weighted average). For further information about how the law determines what is "lead free", rules regarding which plumbing products must be "lead free", and who these laws will affect, please view our page.
