Lead Piping still used?

[Halcyon]

Anyone know about lead pipes ?

After having problems with our central heating for a while we were talking about pipes the other day as we have had some of our pipes changed from metal to plastic. (They arent as good it seems by the leaks we've been having).

Anyway, this got me thinking. The house I'm in was built in the 1930's when lead piping was standard.
Our main drinking water supply therfore would come into the house through lead pipes I presume ?

Does anyone know if this is the case or if water boards have had these replaced. Or if it is safe to drink the tap water.

Thanks for your help,


halcyon.

[altis]

We had a lead supply pipe until last year. We had to provide all the pipework up to the boundary of the property but United Utilities connected us up for free. Looking at the drawings that they came with, most of the other houses in our street are still on lead. Go and find your stopcock and you'll soon be able to see if it's lead. Then ring up your 'water board' and ask for lead replacement.

Water boards are only responsible for the pipework leading up to the stop valve outside your property - from the stop valve to the house is your responsibility. <edit> already posted by altis ..

http://www.dwi.gov.uk/consumer/faq/lead.htm

As far as I know you can request they come & take a sample of your water & test it for you??

[Halcyon]

Thankyou to you both.
I will have a look into this tomorrow and give them a call.

I know SevenTrent water came to redo the pipes on the road itself about two years ago but obviously from the stop valve to the house I would think it is still lead.

I've been drinking this water for years so hope it isnt too bad!

Originally Posted by Halcyon

Thankyou to you both.
I will have a look into this tomorrow and give them a call.

I know SevenTrent water came to redo the pipes on the road itself about two years ago but obviously from the stop valve to the house I would think it is still lead.

I've been drinking this water for years so hope it isnt too bad!

The risk is less if the water doesn't 'stand' in the pipes for a long time & 'hard' water dissolves less lead from the pipes than 'soft' water does. (Although that is relative, of course).

[banjo]

About twenty years ago I replaced the lead pipe up to my boundary and Severn Trent put a mole under the road to the 4 inch high pressure mains and they also put a fitting under the pavement in case I wanted to use a water meter. My water pressure is outstanding.

[Noggo]

Originally Posted by Halcyon

After having problems with our central heating for a while we were talking about pipes the other day as we have had some of our pipes changed from metal to plastic. (They arent as good it seems by the leaks we've been having).

Are the plastic pipe / fittings Speedfit by John Guest. If they are I would recommend buying some of the collet clip which stops the twist and lock cap from loosening from the continuous hot / cold of a central heating system. I had one fitting work its way loose on a towel rail a few years ago, this has cured it as it hasn't leaked since.

Page 16 of the PDF, but page 14 of the catologue. Bottom right hand corner of the following pdf file
http://www.johnguest.co.uk/catalogue...tproductPG.pdf

Originally Posted by Halcyon

Anyway, this got me thinking. The house I'm in was built in the 1930's when lead piping was standard.
Our main drinking water supply therfore would come into the house through lead pipes I presume ?

Does anyone know if this is the case or if water boards have had these replaced. Or if it is safe to drink the tap water.

One of the main factors for having old pipes changed is water pressure, as Banjo has said. Basically over the years the pipe inside diameter gets smaller and smaller, due to scale and deposits.

If the stop tap inside the house looks like the original one, just scratch the pipe on the inlet side it a little bit with a screw driver and see if it’s silver in colour. Basically if you are unsure get it checked out. My first port of call would be Severn Trent. If they can't check for you, they should be able to point you in the right direction.

Read this Severn Trent PDF
http://www.s****er.co.uk/upload/pdf/...1017164954.pdf

`Whilst there is no short-term risk to health from lead at these
levels, the Department of Health advises that action should
be taken to reduce lead in water to the lowest possible levels.
This is particularly important if the water is regularly drunk
by young children or anyone who is pregnant.'

Plus `how can I reduce lead levels?' page 1 / 2

Some local Councils, usually through their Environmental Health
departments, may offer grants towards the cost of replacement of
lead services. However, this is a matter between individual
property owners and the local Council. Severn Trent cannot advise
on grant issues.

[altis]

The swear filter strikes again!

Good job you gave us a clue Noggo.

[Noggo]

So what happens if the stop tap has been moved due to refit. The lead pipe will be out of sight, as new copper pipe would have been sweated onto it and a new stop tap fitted. Hence if the stop tap looks original.