Hi
I’m looking for some advice. I own a 1900 terraced property that has always suffered from poor flow from all the taps around the house. Over time the flow has reduced and is now unbearable. A recent measure by my usual plumber suggested it was 3lpm for the hot and 4lmp for the cold, so very poor. He’s done a series of basic checks but has been unable to identify the basis of the problem.
I had the local water company out (Severn Trent) a year or so ago to check the mains pressure. I don’t remember the exact figure but long story short it was excellent, so that isn’t the problem.
My plumber has suggested it could be a pinched or bent lead pipe leading to the internal stopcock but was unable to provide any estimates to correct it.
Here’s the problem, the external stopcock is in the pavement and about 20cm from my front door. I suspect the pipe then runs under the length of the house itself to the rear of the property where a lead pipe comes up in the kitchen to the internal stopcock(s). The floors are all concrete and we’re probably talking about a distance of 10m.
So what’s involved in replacing this lead pipe? Do I have to have a trench dug through my house? Are there alternatives such as using a mole device (although this only seems to be used for garden which isn’t relevant in my case)? And what would the likely cost be in any given approach?
I believe that I’m not on a shared supply but I’m not 100% certain. All other pipe work in the house is copper or plastic. Sadly there’s no cellar to the property.
To make matters worse I also suspect the pipe is leaking due to an area of persistent damp to the base of kitchen party wall. So an addition question is, if I brought ST to look at the issue could they also insist the work is carried out whether I like it or not?
Any advice would be appreciated.
Cheers
GG
I’m looking for some advice. I own a 1900 terraced property that has always suffered from poor flow from all the taps around the house. Over time the flow has reduced and is now unbearable. A recent measure by my usual plumber suggested it was 3lpm for the hot and 4lmp for the cold, so very poor. He’s done a series of basic checks but has been unable to identify the basis of the problem.
I had the local water company out (Severn Trent) a year or so ago to check the mains pressure. I don’t remember the exact figure but long story short it was excellent, so that isn’t the problem.
My plumber has suggested it could be a pinched or bent lead pipe leading to the internal stopcock but was unable to provide any estimates to correct it.
Here’s the problem, the external stopcock is in the pavement and about 20cm from my front door. I suspect the pipe then runs under the length of the house itself to the rear of the property where a lead pipe comes up in the kitchen to the internal stopcock(s). The floors are all concrete and we’re probably talking about a distance of 10m.
So what’s involved in replacing this lead pipe? Do I have to have a trench dug through my house? Are there alternatives such as using a mole device (although this only seems to be used for garden which isn’t relevant in my case)? And what would the likely cost be in any given approach?
I believe that I’m not on a shared supply but I’m not 100% certain. All other pipe work in the house is copper or plastic. Sadly there’s no cellar to the property.
To make matters worse I also suspect the pipe is leaking due to an area of persistent damp to the base of kitchen party wall. So an addition question is, if I brought ST to look at the issue could they also insist the work is carried out whether I like it or not?
Any advice would be appreciated.
Cheers
GG