Lead pipes

Joannaclaire

Have just discovered that our money pit of a new house has lead pipes. We were supposed to get a water meter fitted yesterday but the pipes are so ancient that it wasn't possible, which is annoying, and the chap said that meant the original supply pipes would also be still there and thus lead.

Probably a piece of string question but I was wondering if anyone had any idea what it would cost to replace the pipes from the street to our stopsock?

The stopcock is in the original kitchen (was a 2up 2 down) now the hall/dining/general purpose room. Ideally we'd shift it to the kitchen but no doubt that costs more... The other snag is that the floors re concrete so that would I assume mean digging those up to lay new pipes.:mad:

elsien

My house has the pipes running round the back of a communal alleyway and in through the back. To replace those was going to cost £750 (my share of the total bill). I got an alternative quote for taking my water supply off the communal pipe, and bringing it in through the front of the house, under a wooden sitting room floor, then under a concrete floor to the kitchen. I was quoted £1000, but I think some of this (£250?) was to connect the new pipes to the water main out front. Still horrible amounts of money though.
This was using reputable companies, with public liability insurance. It could probably have been done a lot cheaper, but I didn't trust some of the cowboys who came round.
Instead of digging up the floor, could they use one of those mole things to go through?

Joannaclaire

Hmmm 1,000k wouldn't be to-ooo bad in theory - there goes the new carpet! I guess it also depends on where one is in the country as to costs. We're in the south east.

Is this something 'normal' plumbers would do (assuming so because of the word plombe?) or does one need a specialist?

elsien

I'm in the Midlands. I didn't look at ordinary plumbers - there wasn't time, because Severn Trent were going to impose their own workmen on us ( and charge £200 each more) if it wasn't done in a couple of weeks. They also reserved the right to redo the work and recharge us if the work wasn't done to their satisfaction, so I thought it best to use a company they wouldn't quibble with.
Oh the joys of a communal water supply pipe!

ukwoody

Most plumbers *can* do this, but many don't. If you need to connect into the actual mains outside, you may *need* to use a recognised contractor as approved by the local company. It varies around the country.
See if Canknucklehead is around on here, or pm him and ask his advice on the matter as I'm sure he has commented on something similar before.

Woody

Canucklehead

ukwoody wrote: »

Most plumbers *can* do this, but many don't. If you need to connect into the actual mains outside, you may *need* to use a recognised contractor as approved by the local company. It varies around the country.
See if Canknucklehead is around on here, or pm him and ask his advice on the matter as I'm sure he has commented on something similar before.

Woody

Good evening: Thanks for the vote of confidence but my OH, who posts on here under my username and signs as 'Corgi Guy' is the plumber/CORGI in the family (currently 'offline' as he is up in Surrey installing a central heating system). I can say that he has replaced many lead mains in the past...can be a right pain to dig the trench by pick and shovel (young person's game) but fortunately a mini-digger can do the trick...depth, type of soil/cover and access can be a problem. You could save yourself £££ by digging the trench (just avoid rainy days...been there, done that:eek: ) and having a plumber run the new main supply from the meter (that is,if you have one) to an appropriate location in your property. Cost is variable.

HTH

Canucklehead

ukwoody

aaahhh, whooops, dont fancy talking about our old boilers then:D

never realised that, sorry. I had wondered why on occasions there was the corgi sig.

woody

benood

How about just running the water through every morning to minimise the lead content? Won't cost anything if you're not on a meter.

benjus

I had a lead water supply pipe replaced a few years ago - it wasn't very far, probably about 6 metres from the street to where it enters the house. It was part of a large programme of works but I think they priced that item at around £750. They certainly had their work cut out... the work was overseen by a contract manager (building surveyor) who decided that they hadn't buried it deep enough after they had filled in the trench.

Incidentally the surveyor didn't really think it was necessary but it was something I specified.

wimbleQ

Hello

Sorry to butt in in this thread .... I think I too have lead pipes (just moved in) - wanted to get a water meter but water co. say they can't do it as stopcock is jammed shut and they need to turn supply off. THe guy who came said it's also old lead pipes.

Are these really dangerous - must I replace them? Just broke at the mo so this is the last thing I need....

Also why can't / won't water co turn off water in the road so they can fit a meter?

I don't understand how I can get new working stopcock put in if can't turn off supply to do the work? Confused:o .

Ta muchly.

panny300

just wondering after reading these posts,are'nt the water companies responsible for the pipes coming into the property,and if lead pipes are supposed to be dangerous,why should the householder have to pay.