Exterior water supply leak

[DJM]

its looking like we have a leak in the water supply Pipe from meter to internal stopcock.
Assuming it is copper pipe (and I don't know yet because it's under the drive) is there anything special about replacing damaged pipe? I'm ok with a blow torch and solder but is that good enough if the fix is as simple as a replacement pipe section.
Or is it a specialist job

 

[Agile]

Most unlikely to be copper pipe.

Either lead or plastic or very occasionally screwed steel.

Knowing the build date might be an indicator.

Might be better to just install a new supply beside the drive. Has to be a min of 750 mm down.

Tony

 

[DJM]

House was built in 1926
Meter pit other side of the drive to the internal entry point so would have to go under the drive anyway

So it so it sounds like I need to call in a professional then

 

[stardanny]

You will be able to see what the pipe is made of where the incoming main pipe come out of ground floor.

Most likely to be lead pipe you have.

Agile, you can have copper water main, there is a lot around where I live.

Daniel.

 

[srhawksy]

Same here Tony, lots of copper mains round these parts!

Op, you'll be best off renewing from meter to internal stopcock with mdpe

 

[Agile]

Yes, I appreciate there were some built with copper mains supplies. But still not generally very common across the country.

I have a house built in 1926 and that has a lead pipe.

Seems that most houses started to have mains water connected during the 1910 onwards periods.

One in the Midlands has a rainwater collection tank under the kitchen. Old lady next door could remember when they had drinking water delivered by horse drawn bowser.

Tony