moving mains water inlet pipe

[DanGB]

Hello.
Just redoing the kitchen at the moment.

Just discovered the pipe where the water enters the house is in the way of where we plan to put the fridge.
It would be good to move it 10-20cm along the wall to the right.

Firstly, I know nothing about these pipes, would it be possible to get someone in the move it, and any idea how much it would cost.
There seems to be a foot or so of space under the floorboards. Its a 1939 house.

Also, whey does the pipe go thick where it enters the floor?

Pipe in question:

 

[oilboffin]

That's a lead pipe and it needs to come out so you will have to make a call to water supplier,
who may change it for you if you talk nicely to them.
As you know lead is deadly and so out it must come,if you don't and you disturb it you could
get little flakes of lead in your water.

 

[muggles]

The thick bit is lead. It can be moved, and there are fittings available to connect from lead to copper, but I'm not sure about their reliability at mains pressure

 

[DanGB]

Ok Thanks.
so basically, if its touched/moved the whole thing should be replaced because its going to be disturbed?

hmmm. This is bad news. This is near the back of the house and weve a decent size front garden so its a fair way to the stop cock in the street where I guess it would run to?

 

[muggles]

Depends how concerned you are about lead really. If you do move it you'll probably want to flush the pipe out before you reconnect it to get rid of anything that has flaked off, but it won't keep flaking any more than it already has been for many years

 

[bolshy]

Lead pipe for water is not illegal if correct fittings are used. Water regs do not permit the addition of new lead pipes, but also recommend that it should be removed where possible to minimise exposure to lead in drinking water. Lead oxide coats the pipe on the inside over years of use. The pipe can be moved by someone who knows what they are doing. Wiped joints from lead direct to copper can cause lead levels in drinking water to spike, and these are no longer allowed. Some of the lead oxide coating may be disturbed if the pipe is worked on, which could also cause lead levels in the drinking water to rise. Call a WIAPS plumber, and if you still have concerns after the work is done, your utilities company can test your water to ensure it is safe to drink.