Lead Supply Pipe

[SALL2009]

Is there any millage in getting a lead water supply pipe changed? I’m getting an extension done and the lead supply pipe is in the trench. Was thinking; are there any advantages in getting the old lead pipe from the water mains (ST owned) to my stop valve changed?

 

[tim00]

Suggest you go to the plumbing forum and post and research the enormous info. ref. water service and lead. In short, yes, do change pipe and your stop-valve, but first research.
What else is in the trench, at what depth?

 

[SALL2009]

Any ideas on rough cost?. I would need to pay for a run of 30 feet which is within my property boundary.

 

[cotswoldbuilders]

Water mains pipe approx £30 for 50m
If the trenches are already dug you might as well drop in a new water mains, run it to the stop tap.
You local water provider will tell you the depths etc, probably need surounding in sand.

 

[SALL2009]

Water mains pipe approx £30 for 50m
If the trenches are already dug you might as well drop in a new water mains, run it to the stop tap.
You local water provider will tell you the depths etc, probably need surounding in sand.

The trenches are only dug for the extension and only the entry point of the pipe is exposed. To replace the pipe, a lot more would have to be dug.

 

[simonjay]

Water mains pipe approx £30 for 50m
If the trenches are already dug you might as well drop in a new water mains, run it to the stop tap.
You local water provider will tell you the depths etc, probably need surounding in sand.

The trenches are only dug for the extension and only the entry point of the pipe is exposed. To replace the pipe, a lot more would have to be dug.

Replace the section into the extension with MDPE and joint it to the lead using one one the various plastic to lead connectors. Then in the future you have the option of replacing the rest. New pipe with foam insulation into extension through 110mm drainage pipe. Bring it up vertically through a rest bend. Heating the pipe first (run hot water through it) will help it to bend !
In theory this pipe could be replaced in the future since it is ducted.
You dont want old lead to leak under the extension and wash out the footings.

If you are moving the stop tap (for example a kitchen extension), joint incoming to old lead and new plastic with a T connector, giving you a builders water supply and maintaining the original supply.
When work is finished you can disconnect the old lead for good and plumb the new kitchen using the new supply.

Simon.

 

[noseall]

Definitely replace the pipe now while you can.

We build a lot of extensions and it is not unusual to expose or even rip out the water main whilst digging the foundations and drains.

What we do is make sure the water (road) stop cock is serviceable before digging.

We the dig out the trenches and if there is interference from the main we switch the water off (whilst customers are at work) expose and cut the pipe at points that are well away from the trench or drains, then run a big loop of blue 20mm or 25mm pipe well away from any future trench work.

This loop of pipe can then be shortened and fitted back in the foundation trench whilst making provision within the foundation masonry for either the existing pipe to be routed through the building, or indeed for a new service to be connected to a position within the new extension.

 

[Mak12345678]

Yes and you can buy a water test kit on ebay to find out the level of lead contamination. Areas of high CaCo3 'hard' water are better as it lines the lead pipes however it is bad stuff best only used when it needs to be and not for drinking water at all