Water mains

[slickboy]

Having been asked to quote for re-surfacing an old tarmac drive with block-paving the customer told me that the old water main runs underneath the driveway and, being lead, needs replacing. I said I would leave it up to her to sort out once the old drive is up an it is exposed. My question is..Is this a job for a plumber? if so best leave it to be her responsibility? As I can't be messing about sub'ing plumbers!

[MRA]

Get the client to contact the Water Board as they might have responsibilty for the pipe even if its on private land, up to the point it meets the house because its an existing lead pipe.

I am sure when the Water Board put a new main in my property when it was renovated, the plumber oversaw the new main being installed to the roadside from the house. The trench was dug by a digger supplied by myself. But if the pipe requires replacing due to it being lead it may be a different story here.

If it is deemed the responsibilty of the WB and they take it on, they may have a bit of wait to get it done. Either way, get the client to do the work as the excavation is below your dig anway.

Good luck.

[slickboy]

Thanks for the speedy response MRA. I'll look into it straight away.

[Dave_L]

I'd establish who is responsible for what and where - if it is the client's responsibility then it is fairly straight-foward to lay a new MDPE plastic pipe from the property to the area where the connecion is to be made - this can be done by any competant groundworker - even getting the pipe into the property should be simple enough.

The only "work" for the WB would be to form a new connection to the main.

[lutonlagerlout]

must contractors have a favoured WB guy on board

you dig the trench and they put a new main in from the meter to your rising main,back fill job done
its not expensive if the trench is there about £1-200 depending on variables
LLL

[Dave_L]

Dig the trenchline for the pipe at least 800mm down - we've been allowed to excavate, install and backfill a water supply trenchline before with dip-pipes for the inspector to inspect after the works have been completed.

[matt h]

If you inform the waterboard of your intention to replace the main, as long as you dig the trench to the house to the main they will carry out the fitting of the new stop cock with quarter turn lever. YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO CONNECT INTERNALLY TO HER HOUSEHOLD SUPPLY. THE PIPE GOING INTO THE HOUSE SHOULD BE 25MM NOWADAYS AND SHOULD BE SLEEVED WHERE IT ENTERS THE BUILDING. Talk to the waterboard guys nicely and they will usually do it for you as long as the trench is dug right. Easy money if you ask me, but then i am also a plumber:D