Corroded water mains pipe

[spannerzone]

Hi, my mains water pipe is 12mm copper that comes out of the concrete kitchen floor, last year when replacing dishwasher I noticed white fluffy salts, around the pipe and carefully cleaned them away and noted the ancient 12mm copper pipe covered in corrosion and it appears to be thinner than the rest of the pipe where it leaves the concrete floor, checked today and no worse looking but a little more salts arisen. I am sure I know the answer here but do I wait for a leak that might not happen for 10 years (I am sure the pipe was like this when I moved in 12 years ago) or do I face the unpleasant digging up concrete floor and get it fixed? I think the pipe is at leat 40 years old from previous kitchen works, the larger hole where the pipe comes out seems like softer sand/cement in a victorian concrete floor...leading lord knows where, to the outside somehow....(routes look like it might go across and under an extension they built in the 80s).

Copper in concrete can't be good long term I assume?
(the green wall is the delightful old kitchen paint, not damp/mould!

 

[denso13]

I'd leave it well alone for now. Looks like a fairly big job to replace given its position.

 

[spannerzone]

I'd leave it well alone for now. Looks like a fairly big job to replace given its position.

That's been my approach so far!
I looked at a pic I took 12 months ago (I didn't realise it was so long back) and pipe looks identical, there is a dodgy looking bit on the left where it's thinner but no change in 12 months.... but I know it can't last forever.

Does anyone know what the replacement procedure would be? if it leaks here at the entry into kitchen, just dig it out and replace that bit and hope the remaining 60 odd feet underground stays ok for another day! ... buy some pipe insurance from my water supplier just in case.

 

[denso13]

Does anyone know what the replacement procedure would be?

You'd have to expose the pipework where it enters the concrete and see what you find. But, if you need to strip out kitchen units to do that I'd be inclined to replace the whole supply and be done with it..

 

[JohnD]

The original pipe might be iron, with a bit of copper added last time it leaked. The corrosion might be accelerating due to a leak already, that is not yet very big.

A new pipe does not have to follow the same route as the old pipe.

Really, you can expect a leak sooner or later, so you may as well start planning your replacement.

Will you be old in ten more years?

 

[HERTS P&D]

I would be looking at replacement.

Andy

 

[spannerzone]

The original pipe might be iron, with a bit of copper added last time it leaked. The corrosion might be accelerating due to a leak already, that is not yet very big.

A new pipe does not have to follow the same route as the old pipe.

Really, you can expect a leak sooner or later, so you may as well start planning your replacement.

Will you be old in ten more years?

Thanks, this house has had many bodges done by previous owners so assume the worst. Luckily this pipe enters under the last cabinet, next to the back door, so not much to remove/excavate...do we take a route out the back, around the side of house, across drive to the front mains as I think currently it goes under the garage side addition.... it's a longer route under paving slabs and block paving so I guess relatively (!) do-able.

It's beyond my limited skills, do I engage with a local plumber or is this more specialist works?

One furher complication, out in the street where my water meter is in the ground, a second meter is nex to it which goes to next door ground floor flat (a converted house into 2 flats) and I assume its pipe follows a similar path as does mine.... so excavations could disturb theirs too.... nothing is ever simple!

 

[HERTS P&D]

Get in contact with a company like this that is local to you for a price:

Water Pipe Moling Essex | Absolute Leak Detection

Water Pipe Moling We can re-new or re-route water supply pipes if there is a leak underneath your property or in an area of difficulty for a repair to be carried out. Using this method, a long trench isn't required to be excavated and only two holes are needed (dependent on the distance of the...

absoluteleakdetection.co.uk

Andy

 

[JohnD]

Digging up a floor and trench needs a burly fellow, so a local small builder. Or your wife, if a keen gardener.

A plumber can do the connection but may be too weedy to use a pick and shovel.

Preferably do it in 25mm blue plastic, or 32mm which will, in future, feed a Megaflo with ease. Use full bore valves that will not obstruct flow. Your water company may possibly connect it free, especially if the old pipe is lead and/or leaking. Ask them to do a free lead content test on your drinking water if you suspect lead pipes. It must be done before starting work.

Trench should be 750mm deep and they will inspect it (free)

https://www.thameswater.co.uk/media-library/home/help/home-improvements/how-to-install-a-new-water-connection/getting-you-connected.pdf

 

[spannerzone]

Digging up a floor and trench needs a burly fellow, so a local small builder. Or your wife, if a keen gardener.

A plumber can do the connection but may be too weedy to use a pick and shovel.

Preferably do it in 25mm blue plastic, or 32mm which will, in future, feed a Megaflo with ease. Use full bore valves that will not obstruct flow. Your water company may possibly connect it free, especially if the old pipe is lead and/or leaking. Ask them to do a free lead content test on your drinking water if you suspect lead pipes. It must be done before starting work.

Ah you've met my wife then

Thanks to all who've replied.... very much appreciate all comments...I'll give many things a go but I know my limits.