Lead pipes

[Mazzatron]

Has anyone had extensive lead pipes removed?

Just moved in, knew we had lead pipes but didn't know how much. Turns out it's rather a lot more than first anticipated by the plumber who inspected after the survey. Would involve digging up drive, floors etc.

Anyway just wondered if anyone else has gone through this and what it was like, how long it took etc?

Plumber said he would look into some sort of purifying system as another option but I don't know anything about that yet.

We bought an Edwardian last year and survey showed some lead pipes. We had a few plumbers inspect them, and the consensus was to leave them alone. It's a HUGE exercise replacing it all. The risk is apparently low (for us) as we live in a hard water area, so the pipes are likely covered by limescale on the inside. You can buy online lead kits to check for lead levels. There are also things you can do like run the water for a bit at the start of each day (and use it to water plants or something).

the new pipe does not have to follow the same route as the old pipe.

Digging a trench through a flowerbed or gravel path is within the abilities of any lady gardener.

Concrete drives, not so much.

typically youu would lay a new plastic pipe in a larger size (at least 25mm, possibly 32mm) which will give you increased flow, which is important if one day you want to remove the old lot tank and fit a combi boiler or an unvented cylinder. You need full-bore stopcocks and other valves as small ones with throttle the flow. You should consult your water supply company as they might offer a lead replacement subsidy, or at least free connection. ask them to test your drinking water for lead content straight away, because the tests must be completed before you start work or apply for assistance.

Many old houses have wooden floors with a void beneath, or a cellar, where pipes can be laid with ease.

The kitchen cold water tap is the one you drink from. You can change the other indoor pipes if you want to, especially the bath and shower supplies to get improved flow.

Have the lead levels checked. You can do this yourself with a kit. uk.bestreviews.guide/lead-water-test-kits

Or get a company to do it. e.g. watertreatmentservices.co.uk/water-treatment/testing-water-lead/

(Neither link is a recommendation - just the first links I found on Google.)

We had ours tested and the lead levels were miniscule (hard water area) so we've left them in for now. We buy bottled water to drink, though.

your water company will do it for nothing.

Our water company didn't btw. We're in London and our area is served by Affinity.

Thanks all. Loads to consider but ultimately want them gone. Got a 3 year old and a 1 year old. We've requested the water company test the water. We do live in a hard water area so it sounds like that's a positive.

A plumber suggested it is an enormous job but we could get this filter fitted on kitchen taps and on tank in loft.
(See pic). Apparently it removes all heavy metals from water - anyone used this?

Ours connected our supply to the mains for free, but we had to pay for the fitting and pipe ourselves.

I would be (pleasantly) surprised if a water company paid to replace anything other than the supply pipe. I've not heard of them replacing someone's pipe inside the house? But if they do then that's great, your water company must be a lot nicer than mine lol.

I'm sure if you've been advised it's necessary to dig up the drive by a professional who's seen your property then I'm sure that you can probably ignore me, but I just thought I'd mention that when we replaced our lead supply pipe it was done with underground moling, you'd never know anything had happened. Everything was left perfectly intact. Don't know if that's an option for you?

It cost about £1.5K for the supply pipe, this was a year ago and in the north, though. The rest of the internal pipe was done by a different plumber and was billed as part of a whole renovation so I'm not sure what that part cost I'm afraid.

"do it for nothing" referred to the lead test of drinking water. AFAIK it is generally free and very much worth doing if you have lead pipes. I last had one tested in London nearly ten years ago so something might have changed. The water co is under an obligation to provide wholesome potable water and can carry out various quality tests if there seems to be a problem. They inspected my trench and new pipe free to verify it was properly done, or you can use one of their approved contractors who may cost more.

in some districts they will connect free or renew their part of the supply pipe at the same time, and I have heard of lead replacement subsidies in some areas.

unless you drink your bathwater in significant amounts, you only need to replace the incoming supply pipe between the watermain and the kitchen drinking water tap. There is no need to filter the storage tank or the other taps, but you can replace your other internal pipes if you want to, subject to convenience and cost. If you are fitting a combi or an unvented cylinder, it would be worthwhile to get the best flow.