A Simple Guide to Replacing Your Lead Pipes

This guide answers the questions about lead water mains that most homeowners would like to know. It explains how lead pipework can affect your drinking water and water pressure. It also gives details of the very efficient service that Pipeline Services offers for replacing your lead service main.

Lead in the Environment
Lead is commonly found in the environment. Whilst it comes from a variety of sources, including vehicle exhausts and old paintwork and it may be present in air, food, soil or water; it can build up in the body which can be harmful at high levels. Research studies have shown that lead can have a small effect on the mental development of children*. For this reason, we recommend that household customers replace any lead pipes on their property with new plastic pipes.
* Source: Drinking Water Inspectorate

Is There Lead in Drinking Water?
The water from treatment works supplied through water mains to the boundary of your property contains virtually no lead. But the water can dissolve tiny amounts of lead from the inside of lead supply pipes and internal plumbing. By replacing any lead pipes, you are eliminating any possibility of higher than desired levels of lead in your water supply. You may notice an increase in water pressure and flow to your home.

Who is Responsible for Water Pipes?
The communication pipe which links the water main in the street to the stop tap outside your property is the responsibility of your local water authority. For information on your local water authority please contact Pipeline Services on 0845 226 5060 and we will be happy to help. The water supply pipe leading from the stop tap to the point where it enters your home is your responsibility if you are the owner; otherwise it is your landlord’s. All the plumbing inside your home to the kitchen tap is your responsibility or your landlord’s. To make it easier please see this diagram:

How to Go About Replacing Lead Pipes
As the water supply pipe on your property is your responsibility, you would have to pay to replace any lead pipes. Pipeline Services are a Water Industry Approved contractor. We can offer a full service from application to connection with the minimum of fuss, please call one of our experienced surveyors on 0845 226 5060.

What is Involved in Replacing my Lead Pipe?
Pipeline Services aims to cause minimal disruption to you and your property. They are able to offer quick and efficient water pipe installation requiring no independent inspection from United Utilities.
Pipeline Services uses trenchless technology which helps reduce the amount of disruption. We won’t need to dig up your garden and driveway; we will only need to dig a small entry hole at the boundary of your property and another small exit hole at the connection point to your property (see diagram), everything else takes place underground – out of sight!
Once the work has been finished, you will receive a certificate to confirm that the pipe installation is complete and meets the Water Fittings Regulations 1999.

Call Pipeline Services on 0845 226 5060 for a free no obligation quote

Your Questions Answered.....

How to Check if You Have Lead Pipes
If your home was built or modernised since 1970 and all its pipework replaced from the stop tap at the boundary of your property to the kitchen tap, there should be no lead pipes on your property. However, if your home was built before 1970, it may have lead pipes. We recommend that you replace any lead pipes on your property with new plastic pipes.

What Can I Do in the Short Term?
As a precautionary measure, it’s a good idea to run the cold tap in the kitchen for about one minute before using the water for drinking or food preparation. Also, make sure that the cold tap in the kitchen is supplied with water from the main. Only use water from the kitchen tap for drinking and food preparation and not water from other hot or cold taps.

Who Can I Use to Replace My Lead Pipes?
Pipeline Services is a specialist contractor geared towards replacing lead and common pipe service mains to domestic properties. With our highly trained and experienced office staff and Water Industry Approved Engineers we aim to offer the complete installation service with minimum fuss to the homeowner.

What Will it Cost Me?
For a free no obligation quotation please call Pipeline Services on 0845 226 5060 where a Water Industry Approved Surveyor will happily provide you with a quotation over the telephone. a site visit can be arranged should this be required.

Can I Get Help to Cover the Cost of the Work?
You may be eligible for a grant. Contact your local council who will be able to give you further advice.

Pipeline Services
Pipeline Services is an approved contractor for the water industry. We replace lead water supply pipes for household properties across the North West. Pipeline Services is registered on the Water Industry Approved Plumbing Scheme (WIAPS) and our engineering teams operate to high standards to comply with the following regulations:

• Confined space Regulations 1997
• NRSWA 1991
• National Brittania Health & Safety

Tel: 0845 226 5060 for a free quote
Lines open Monday – Friday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

For emergencies please call 0845 226 5060 all out of hours calls will be put through to an Engineer on call.
Contact Pipeline Services