Need man to dig a trench

Artytarty

Hi, we have just discovered the third leak in about ten years in the old lead water main. Under the paved yard of course!
The decision has been made to renew all he lead pipe this time , right out to the main road. About 30 yards.
We need a man who can, so to speak!
Either willing to dig the trench by hand or who has a mini digger.

My understanding is that you have to have the trench dug, the new pipe laid, and then it inspected before the water board will connect you.
Has anyone else been through all this who could possibly offer some advice?

warmhands.coldheart

Artytarty wrote: »

Hi, we have just discovered the third leak in about ten years in the old lead water main. Under the paved yard of course!
The decision has been made to renew all he lead pipe this time , right out to the main road. About 30 yards.
We need a man who can, so to speak!
Either willing tomdig the trench by hand or who has a mini digger.

My understanding is that you have to have the trench dug, the new pipe laid, and then it inspected before the water board will connect you.
Has anyone else been through all this who could possibly offer some advice?

My understanding was that the water board brought their connection to your house boundary and then you were left to your own devises so to speak.... maybe things have changed.... I know I changed mine myself, dug a trench, granted only about 10 ft about 3 ft deep. installed pipe, connected to mains (Turned off mains at isolator in the street). all going now for years and no problems...) Trust me, if they had inspected the pipe put in by the previous resident prior to connection there would have been no water in the house !!

Ebe_Scrooge

I also had exactly the same a few years ago. Pipe and connectors were easily available from the local plumber's merchant, dug the trench over the course of a weekend, connected it all up myself. Very simple to do if you've any previous plumbing DIY experience. Digging the trench is VERY hard work though - 2 feet is far deeper than you might imagine ! 2 foot was the recommended minimum depth at the time ( to prevent freezing etc. ), I'm not sure if it still is.

But the water board wanted over £1000 to fix it for me, the parts cost me about £50 or so. So I figure the hard work was well worth it And I made sure I put larger diameter pipe in than what was already there, which improved the water flow rate in the house no end.

tommie

Similar problem myself, old mains corroded a couple of yards from the back door. Your House insurance should cover this, i know mine did (Tescos).