Lead pipes

shellsuit

Joannaclaire wrote: »

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:

You need to look for a water pipe replacement company local to you. If you ring, they should come out and give you a quote.

I've just rang my Dad who works for a moling company and he said pricing normally depends on how many meters of work (pipe) needs to be done.

This is what would it would involve : http://www.moleuk.com/lead_pipe_removal.htm

plumb1_2

wimbleQ wrote: »

Hello Plumb1

Thx for your advice.



Maybe I didn't explain properly. What waterco tell me is I have a shared supply (terraced house). I've asked for a meter. They came out to have a look and said my stop tap INSIDE the house (under sink) doesn't turn (it's jammed as v. old, maybe lead?).

Waterco say they can't / won't fit water meter because my stoptap inside doesn't work and they need to turn off water.

I guess I don't understand how they can't turn off the water from outside to fit the meter - they're the waterco after all?!?

Does anyone know what my rights here are? Moved in recently and have so many bills I was looking at the water meter to bring water costs down but not if I have to spend a fortune getting a stoptap fixed/replaced.

Anyway wouldn't plumber need water off to do something with stoptap anyway?

Ta muchly for advice on this.

All they need to do is turn off the shared supply, in the street/path, sounds like they dont know what to do:rolleyes: .Just inform your neighbours the water will be turned off for 30mins.
Once the shared main is off, you/they will need to fit a Lead-Lock adaptor(lead to copper) then fit a new stop tap, with a drain off tap and refit any earth bonding.
Yes it can be frozen, without turning off the shared main.
I would get a local plumber to do this, TBH these fitters are not plumbers.