Can a plumber replace lead mains to stopcock

[Calvr1ch]

Hi

We are currently remodelling our kitchen but where the stopcock is currently is going to be shown. I have been told that the stopcock is connected to lead pipe. I know i can have it all taken out to the street and replaced with plastic but that is going to cost a fortune as we would need to take up our drive.

In our back garden we have another stopcock that the internal one is connected too and they are only about 1 meter away from each other. We are excaviting the back garden to lay new tiles so will be able to gain access to this stopcock.

My question is can a plumber replace just the pipe from the garden stopcock and put a new stopcock into the house or does the whole pipe need replacing?

Thanks in advance.

 

[PlumbBobBob]

hi welcome to the forums. yes your plumber can replace just the length from the outside stopcock to the new internal one, although it would be much better if you could replace right to the street as it would give you much better pressure and flow.

 

[Calvr1ch]

Thanks for the info Steve.

If we take it back to the garden stopcock will it need inspecting as it does if you take it back to the road?

Thanks

 

[PlumbBobBob]

contact your local building control, they will tell you if it needs inspecting or not as they will be doing the inspection if needed

 

[Mike Jackson]

If you use a water industry approved plumber it doesn't need inspecting.

 

[lame plumber]

you would be improving your health if you replace lead for mdpe, esp if young kids are drinking off the supply as lead builds up in your system over time. as mentioned you need a Water Safe approved plumber as they are now called who can sign off their own work without the need to pay for building regs or the water supplier to visit.

 

[Calvr1ch]

Thanks for the info and I wish I could take all the lead pipe out but it would be too big a job at the moment... I have asked a plumber who has said 'If it's lead pipe from the tap in the garden into the house then I can cut it and put a lead lock on it but you have to be able to get to it and it can't be buried in the ground' is this right or is there other options available as there is only about 3" of lead pipe that comes into the house with the stop tap on? My plumber is gas safe registered but not approved by any other company. I have called around 7 approved domestic plumbers who are all either too busy or haven't got back to me. If there are any in the midlands area I would be greatful for them to come and quote for this job.
After spending all this money on a new kitchen I really don't want to have a stop tap in the corner on show.

 

[lame plumber]

same old story spend a fortune on the kitchen but not the basics, similar to those who decorate and replace their carpets but dont repair the leaking roof. your water supply is an essential part of your home, why not get it sorted properly and then youll not have to worry about it for the next 25 years.

 

[Reg Man]

If your worried about digging up the drive, why not dig a trench down the side of it and put your new MDPE in there and connect the short ends at the boundary and inside the kitchen. Leave the old lead in the ground redundant.

 

[Calvr1ch]

Thanks for the constructive advice Reg Man it's appreciated.... I will have another call around tomorrow to see if I can find an approved plumber to quote me on doing that.. We are having also having a water filter fitted which was going to help with the contamination... We were having all the back garden excavated which is why I thought it might be ok to come straight from the garden stop tap....trying to get an approved plumber seems to be a bigger task than the actual work that needs doing though..

 

[supper plumb]

Why not get a quote to mole the new mains in?
saves on trenching (open cut) and safes on costs id run a new mdpe from road to house end off water is your life line all good and well having a nice new kitchen but if the water is crap then its all for nothing

 

[Calvr1ch]

Hi supper plumb, thanks for that. I didn't even know this was available but I will be looking into it. Don't know if you could give me a rough idea on cost. My front drive is approx 10 mtrs with the side of the house being 7 mtr but as I said that is being dug up and lowered before being relaid.

Thanks again.

 

[Kemble]

you would be improving your health if you replace lead for mdpe, esp if young kids are drinking off the supply as lead builds up in your system over time. as mentioned you need a Water Safe approved plumber as they are now called who can sign off their own work without the need to pay for building regs or the water supplier to visit.

The lead pipe I always see is lined with a nice layer of calcium carbonate... so not sure how much lead is actually getting into the water... On the other hand are we 100% certain about the long term effects of MDPE ? Just a thought...

 

[basildog]

I cannot see why there is always such a worry about being registered for wter safe or water regs as the local water company will visit free of charge to inspect if it is needed !
On a new connection or upgrade they might call back to see the excavation but often not sometimes we just put in several sections of 110 mm sewer pipe vertically over the newly installed main so the inspector can look with a torch as often leaving an open excavation is not practical !
You will also find often the incoming mains is no where near the legal depth but these guys know if you hit rock you really are not going to start using explosives or rock breaking kit just to gain a bit of depth in the garden !
My guess on why you are having difficulty finding a guy to do it is I have yet to see a plumber who likes digging !
Me I hate digging that is why I bought an excavator at age 19 even though I could not even drive it at the time !

 

[midlands based]

Where about in the midlands are you.