How do I know if a property has lead pipes?

ninkyno · 2022-03-06T20:09:39+00:00

Hello all, I've fallen in love with a period (Edwardian) property but have been alerted to the fact that it may have lead pipes. How and where do I check the pipes are located and how do I find what they're made of? These are some pipes on the outside of the property: what are they? Apologies for the silly questions- I'm really not savvy when it comes to these things :/

3001signon · 06/03/2022 20:14

They can do tests to the water to check fir lead, I believe Anaz9n even sell test kits.

www.simplexhealth.co.uk/testing-for-lead-in-water/

Info on how to check pipes
www.watersafe.org.uk/news/latest_news/watersafe-urges-take-the-scratch-test/

Fernandina · 06/03/2022 20:15

The ones on the outside like that will probably be cast iron and/or copper. The one with the verdigris on it definitely appears to be copper. Lead pipes were used on the inside of the house for the cold water supply.

3001signon · 06/03/2022 20:17

Those outside pipes in the plastic clips just look like copper but presumably they are to heating system rather than drinking water? They’d freeze every winter if it was water. The only pipes we have outside are gas central heating ones 🤷🏼‍♀️

bilbodog · 06/03/2022 20:18

They look copper to me as they have green bits on. I think if it has kead pipes they are more likely to be underground?

Original poster

ninkyno · 06/03/2022 20:26

Oh wow. Thank you for your prompt replies. I have children under 4 so the thought of moving into a property with lead pipes terrifies me. How do I check the pipes within the property? Would they be under the sink for example or near the boiler or under floorboards?

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ChocolateHelps · 06/03/2022 20:29

It's likely lead pipes are 70-100 years old and if you live in the South the inside of the pipe will be full covered in limescale so the water isn't touching any lead at all.

DinkyDaisy · 06/03/2022 20:33

I know my childhood home had lead water pipe- think still does.
Water tested years ago and apparently ok. I always wonder though!
Hard water area.

newthoughts · 06/03/2022 20:33

@ChocolateHelps

It's likely lead pipes are 70-100 years old and if you live in the South the inside of the pipe will be full covered in limescale so the water isn't touching any lead at all.

This.

You can get the water tested and you'll probably find the Lead content is non existent.

Original poster

ninkyno · 06/03/2022 20:38

You can get the water tested and you'll probably find the Lead content is non existent.

Is that what I'll have to do? Get the water tested? Is it really as simple as a water testing kit from Amazon or do I need to get a professional in?

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Original poster

ninkyno · 06/03/2022 20:39

@DinkyDaisy

I know my childhood home had lead water pipe- think still does. Water tested years ago and apparently ok. I always wonder though! Hard water area.

Yup, the South.

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Original poster

ninkyno · 06/03/2022 20:39

@ChocolateHelps

It's likely lead pipes are 70-100 years old and if you live in the South the inside of the pipe will be full covered in limescale so the water isn't touching any lead at all.

Is limescale a protective factor?

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Twixie2022 · 06/03/2022 20:50

The water company will actually do a sample for you. I know Yorkshire water for example will do anyways. Might be worth a call to them.

LegoLady95 · 06/03/2022 20:52

We've just had lead pipes replaced after living with them (with 3 kids) for 11 years.

Still alive but with much better water pressure.

Original poster

ninkyno · 06/03/2022 20:53

@LegoLady95

We've just had lead pipes replaced after living with them (with 3 kids) for 11 years.

Still alive but with much better water pressure.

Can I ask how much it cost you to have the pipes replaced?

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Original poster

ninkyno · 06/03/2022 20:54

@Twixie2022

The water company will actually do a sample for you. I know Yorkshire water for example will do anyways. Might be worth a call to them.

Thank you for this. I've already asked a million questions about the property- I'm not sure how kindly the vendors will take this request. It's a probate property and only EA has access locally.

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Hohofortherobbers · 06/03/2022 20:55

I lived in a rented lead pipe property down south, limescale is bound to have prevented any exposure but we were asked to run water for a minute in morning to avoid drinking water that had sat in the pipes.

Spudina · 06/03/2022 20:58

Our pipes from the mains to the house are lead. We were told it’s unfeasible to replace them. We have done a lead test via Amazon and it was negative, so I feel better about it.

Darley368 · 06/03/2022 20:58

You can usually tell if you look at where the cold main comes into the house. Lead pipes will be slightly deformed and floppy. My first house had lead pipes and I realised straight away. after a bit of moaning by me the water company (Thames) replaced them for free.

Darley368 · 06/03/2022 20:58

What has your surveyor said?

thnkingaboutoptions · 06/03/2022 21:00

You can buy a testing kit online. I did a few years ago, I forget where now but I don't think it was hard to find.

Original poster

ninkyno · 06/03/2022 21:05

@Darley368

What has your surveyor said?

We've only just viewed it the once! It needs a LOT of work doing to it but I'm willing not to proceed further if the water pipes are lead. I just can't risk it with little ones. My anxiety would be through the roof.

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Kitkat151 · 06/03/2022 21:15

Lead pipes are under the ground....we live in a Victorian house....just had ours all replaced last year.....cost 1k for a company to mole new blue pipes in up to our boundary and provide certificates to water board.....the water board gave us a 600£ grant ( so cost us £400) .....from the boundary of our home ( driveway) to the mains link up....the water board did for free for us ( it’s called a lead pipe replacement scheme) .....was a big faff....took about 5 months from start to finish cos the water board had to come out a few times....then the council delayed as they needed to close the road....so had to be on a Saturday with traffic management in place.....but all good now

Original poster

ninkyno · 06/03/2022 21:47

@Kitkat151

Lead pipes are under the ground....we live in a Victorian house....just had ours all replaced last year.....cost 1k for a company to mole new blue pipes in up to our boundary and provide certificates to water board.....the water board gave us a 600£ grant ( so cost us £400) .....from the boundary of our home ( driveway) to the mains link up....the water board did for free for us ( it’s called a lead pipe replacement scheme) .....was a big faff....took about 5 months from start to finish cos the water board had to come out a few times....then the council delayed as they needed to close the road....so had to be on a Saturday with traffic management in place.....but all good now

Thanks so much for this. This sounds doable. I was scared it'd be thousands on an already dilapidated property.

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thnkingaboutoptions · 06/03/2022 21:59

Lead pipes can be in your house too, not only underground. You can't assume they're not in the house because someone else on the internet says they're not.

Also, the quote would need to be for your house, not the PPs! The price will depend on the work that needs doing.

Who has alerted you to this? Have you had a survey done?

whyohwhyohwhyohwhywhy · 06/03/2022 22:11

If your anxiety is high are you sure this is the property for you? It sounds like you will be fretting about every little thing