Changing Lead Water Pipe to Plastic

If your property was built prior to 1970, then you could be at risk of lead contamination. This is because a ban on the use of lead pipework was imposed by the government in 1970, meaning any property built before this time could still have lead pipes.

Any property built before 1970 may still have lead pipework, which can come with severe health risks. The use of lead pipes in properties was banned in 1970, but they are still often found in older buildings.

When a lead pipe is found, it will need to be replaced with modern pipework. The most recommended material to replace lead with is MDPE (Medium Density Polyethylene) plastic pipes.

Why Are Lead Pipes Banned?

Lead pipes were banned in 1970 due to public health concerns stemming from the severe health risks associated with lead exposure.

Even small exposure to lead can cause psychological and developmental issues, with the most at-risk group being pregnant women and children.

The risk of exposure to lead arises when the water travels through lead pipework, which dissolves particles of lead into the water. This means the contamination can occur when drinking the water or using the water for food preparation.

Due to the evident and well-studied health concerns of lead, it's vitally essential that any lead found in your property is entirely replaced.

How Can I See Whether My Property Uses Lead Pipes?

To determine which pipes your home uses, start by locating where the water supply enters the property. This is usually located under the kitchen sink, in a downstairs toilet or inside a cupboard.

Once you have found the water supply to your property, you can visually check whether the material is lead. To carry out a check, see whether the pipe is a dull grey colour. If so, use a coin to scrape the pipe. If it reveals silver metal when scraping, then you can use that as confirmation that the material is lead.

It's also worth noting that even if your property appears to use copper pipe or plastic pipe, the pipe that brings water into the home could still be using lead. You can do this by visually inspecting the pipe underneath your stop tap and doing the same visual check mentioned in the previous paragraph.

Who is Responsible for Replacing Lead Pipe?

Inside the property boundary -  This is the homeowner's responsibility and is known as the water supply pipe. If it's found that lead has been used in this section, then it's up to the homeowner to arrange for it to be replaced.

Outside the property boundary - This section is the responsibility of your local water company and runs from the property to the street mains. When replacing the water supply pipe within the property boundary, many water companies will replace their section free of charge.

What if My Property Uses a Shared Supply Pipe?

With lead pipes being used in older properties, you may also have a shared water supply pipe. If this is the case, then the responsibility to replace this pipe is shared between all the households that use it.

The recommended solution is to replace the shared supply pipe with a new, separate single supply pipe, allowing each household to use its own supply rather than a shared one. This will allow for each house to have a direct connection to the external water main whilst also replacing the shared lead pipe section.

If you find a shared lead pipe connection at your property, discuss your findings with your neighbours and agree to replace the pipework before proceeding with the replacement process.

What Kind of Pipes Should I Replace Lead With?

The most recommended materials to replace lead pipes with are copper, plastic (PVC or MDPE) or stainless steel.

MDPE (Medium Density Polyethylene) plastic pipe is widely regarded as the most popular option due to its being easy to install, cost-effective and durable.

Why Should You Replace Lead Pipes with Plastic Pipes?

One of the main reasons why plastic pipe is used over copper and steel pipes is its cost-effectiveness compared to these materials. Copper and steel piping are more expensive materials and can take longer to install, meaning you incur more labour costs when compared to installing plastic pipes.

While copper pipe is known to be a more durable material, many studies have suggested that the difference in durability and lifespan between copper and plastic pipe isn't as significant as previously thought.

MDPE pipe has shown durability that can last for decades whilst being lightweight, corrosion-resistant and easy to handle.

So, to summarise, the main reason to choose plastic pipe as a replacement for lead is its cost-effectiveness and durability.

How to Change Lead Pipes to Plastic Pipes?

If you want to go with the most commonly used replacement pipe, then MDPE plastic pipe is the material to go with.

Most water companies recommend that the lead pipe be replaced by a WaterSafe-approved plumber, which is something we can offer at RPD. The benefit of using an approved plumber is that they can handle the paperwork with your local water company, and in many cases, will not require an inspector to come out and assess the work.

Once the pipework inside the property has been replaced, your local water company will need to be called out to connect the new pipework to the mains.

How Long Does it Take to Replace Lead Pipes?

The time it takes to replace existing lead supply pipes depends on the scale of the replacement. Most standard lead pipe replacement jobs from survey to finish are carried out in a day.

To reduce disruption and save time, we use a trenchless technique called moling. This means that instead of digging up your entire garden or driveway, we would make a few small holes, roughly the size of a paving slab, which will then be used to create a small underground tunnel. This tunnel will allow us to pull the new pipe through from the boundary to the house with no hassle.

Once we have the new pipe in place, it's then just a matter of connecting it to the water main supply. Upon completion, we will issue you a certificate to confirm that the work has been carried out to meet water industry standards.

Are There Any Schemes/Grants Available?

Yes, most water companies offer a lead pipe replacement scheme that financially supports homeowners who are looking to replace lead pipes in their property.

The amount given and the criteria to receive this type of grant vary with different water suppliers. For example, the most common lead pipe replacement scheme our customers at RPD use is one provided by United Utilities. The grant includes a free connection of the replacement water supply pipe at the boundary of the property as well as £550 to help cover the costs for the work. This scheme is only available to domestic properties that have an active billing account with United Utilities.

How Much Does it Cost to Replace Lead Pipes with Plastic?

The cost of replacing a lead pipe is difficult to estimate without a thorough inspection. This is because there are many factors involved, such as the length of the pipework that will need to be replaced, the layout of the property and how easy it is to access the existing pipes.

We can promise to provide a competitive and transparent no-obligation quote, which can be done by carrying out a quick inspection at the property.

If you're looking to replace your lead pipes, please get in touch with us today. Our team can help explain the process and provide more details on lead replacement schemes or grants that you may be eligible for.