Lead is not used by most modern plumbers.
plumbers often use lead, the periodic symbol for lead is Pb. And plumbers #1 things they do is make pipes "plumb" or completely vertical.
They used lead - The Latin name for lead is 'plumbum' hence the name plumber.
Lead (Pb)
Plumbers in Rome historically used lead in their pipes. Lead pipes were commonly used in ancient Rome due to their malleability and ease of installation, however, it was later discovered that lead could leach into the water supply and pose health risks.
Lead was used by plumbers in ancient Rome for water pipes because it was malleable and easy to work with. However, prolonged exposure to lead can lead to health issues, including poisoning.
lead is poison,it will soak throught the skin,thats why plumbers use lead free soder on pipes,i wouldn t even let your kids touch it
To wipe a lead joint is an art that old time plumbers (when plumbers were plumbers) and not plumbers that know how to to put together plastic pipes with glue. My dad was one of those plumbers. Now i watched him wipe a lead joint a few times. I my self was never to good at it. I did it 2 times in my 30 years as a plumber so here i will tell you an alternate method my dad taught me. I believe you have an existing wipe joint leaking that connects with another type of pipe. 1st u cut out the wiped joint then take a 1" brass union end without nut slide over lead pipe than you flare lead over face of union. With other end of union connect to pipe you are connecting to then put the union together.What I do is remove the section of leaking lead pipe take a brass nipple Or copper tubing type "L" and wipe a joint using flemico # 1 solder or use a composition of 40 -60 as this gives a longer pasty range to work withUse a non acid type flux and use a ladle and wiping cloth . The key is to make sure both the lead and new pipe is toughly cleaned and fluxed
If you refer to the composition, it is Lead (Latin: Plumbum). "Roman roofs used lead in conduits and drain pipes and some were also covered with lead, lead was also used for piping and for making baths" -Wikipedia
plumbers
they do
lead