Page 1 of 1
Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2010 6:22 pm
by Paul Miller
During the course of excavating my garden, I have unearthed the water supply pipe. It was no where near the expected 750mm depth.
It's an old lead pipe and it is now slightly bent, but not leaking.
However, when I was running the water in the house, I had some brown water come through which quite frankly scared the crap out of me 
I'm hoping that I have just disturbed something and not caused damage.
Reading the water company website, any work on my property is my responsibility and cost. So, how easy is it to replace the old lead pipe from the stop tap on the pavement through to the point at which in enters my house with a blue MDPE pipe.
Or can a section of the old lead pipe be cut out and replaced with a new section of Blue pipe and can this be connected securely to the old lead pipe.
Thanks for your help.
Paul
Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2010 6:28 pm
by Paul Miller
I've just been running the water in the bathroom sink and it's slightly discoloured with some very fine particles in it
HELLLLP
Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2010 6:49 pm
by Dave_L
Run the nearest tap to the rising main into your house until it runs clear.
You have simply disturbed the internal crap build-up on the inside of the pipe.
Myself I wouldn't have a lead service pipe, I'd be doing the same as you propose - I might be talking rubbish but don't the water companies have a lead service pipe replacement programme??
How handy are you with an excavator etc etc?
Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2010 7:25 pm
by Paul Miller
Here's the offending pipe...
Should I really replace this ?
The water company does have a lead pipe replacement scheme, but they are only responsible for the pipework up to the property boundary. As this is in my front garden, they would charge me to replace it.
How easy is it to replace it myself ?
Cheers
Paul
Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2010 7:30 pm
by Dave_L
You have a water meter at your boundary?
Dig a trench 750mm deep and run a 25/30mm MDPE pipe and connect to the meter tail and into the house.
Well thats what I did years ago!
You could cut the digger-damaged bit out and repair it with a bit of plastic pipe and a couple of plasson adaptors but if the water pressure and flow rate is unchanged you won't see any benefit.
If it were me I'd lay in a new pipe as above.
Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2010 7:46 pm
by Paul Miller
We are not on a water meter. It's just the small grid-like stop valve on the pavement.
I'm guessing that the existing lead pipe comes from the stop valve and into my property.
How straightforward is it to disconnect the lead pipe from the stop valve and connect a new MDPE one to it.
I'm tempted to just attach the other end of the MDPE to the lead pipe just before it enters the house with the plasson adaptors that you mention.
Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2010 8:07 pm
by flowjoe
Its a simple enough job connecting your new pipework up to the lead, we tend to use these connections up in the grim north http://www.philmac.co.uk/products/, gone are the days when we had to file the lead down to get a brass olive to fit prior to connecting the brass fittings.
However i would always take it through to your internal riser or stop tap.
If you don`t fancy digging it all up there are plenty of pipe moling companies around, in fact there`s one based just outside Arrow Park Hospital, Mr Mole or something along them lines
Posted: Sat Apr 10, 2010 9:00 pm
by Mikey_C
get the water board to come out and replace the bit between meter/pavement stopcock and your boundary under there lead replacement programme, the 3 ft of blue pipe they attach to you lead run will be easy to connect to then.
have the trench dug across your property and the blue pipe handy, if you are there when they turn to do there little bit, ££ notes may talk and they may do the job for you if not they may know one of the crews that do moonlight!! :;):
flow your link was 404.