Steve Brown
I – and most of the 30,000 homes here and probably many more fold in the Chicago area – have lead pipes for the service. (It was the only acceptable material until recently!) The pipe is so coated with minerals, no lead can leach into the water. Ive seen a removed piece and plumbing inspector also says so. So it depends on the ph of the water.Regarding the main question, besides dielectric unions – which code usually does not permit in concealed places – and using a brass nipple – there is a dielectric coupling – sometimes called insulated couplings – which can be used in concealed spaces. Finding them is tough. I bought mine through an nternet plumbing supply.Regards. Bill Conner
