Hello, We have an old mains water pipe in our house which is lead. It has given us a few headaches with leaks which have been repaired but the plumber has now suggested we have the whole pipe replaced from where it enters our house to the stopcock in a back room. Because the pipe is not in a straight line, he has suggested using a flexible pipe. Can anyone tell us whether this is a good solution and would it be as robust as a solid pipe? Many thanks for any help you may be able to give.
Lead Mains Pipe
- Thread starter dibsdiy
- Start date
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It is normal nowadays to use a continuous plastic pipe for underfloor mains water pipes.
Ideally it should be insulated but that's only to prevent freezing.
Many would use the blue polypipe as used for supplies outdoors.
Others would think of a reason why you should not use it indoors!
Tony
Ideally it should be insulated but that's only to prevent freezing.
Many would use the blue polypipe as used for supplies outdoors.
Others would think of a reason why you should not use it indoors!
Tony
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That might make it different!
There has been a problem in some country areas because rats and mice sometimes chew plastic pipes.
Its not a big problem and there are often rats in agricultural areas where grain is grown are common.
In winter a nice warm underfloor is attractive for them! Whilst there they could do a bit of chewing.
In London there are lots of rats but I only rarely come across chewed plastic pipes. Been called to some boilers damaged by chewing on wires though.
I don't see what they like to chew. There is no food value so only can think they like the feeling.
The lid of my wheelie bin has been chewed! Possibly by squirrels?
Tony
There has been a problem in some country areas because rats and mice sometimes chew plastic pipes.
Its not a big problem and there are often rats in agricultural areas where grain is grown are common.
In winter a nice warm underfloor is attractive for them! Whilst there they could do a bit of chewing.
In London there are lots of rats but I only rarely come across chewed plastic pipes. Been called to some boilers damaged by chewing on wires though.
I don't see what they like to chew. There is no food value so only can think they like the feeling.
The lid of my wheelie bin has been chewed! Possibly by squirrels?
Tony
Thank you Tony, the only squirrels I see are those hopping around the back fences, as for mice, the only ones I find are dead ones on my kitchen floor courtesy of our cat who has brought them in as gifts although it's a bit naughty of her to chew them first. I think I will try and insulate the pipes when the work is done and try to secure them firmly with tape - just hope no rats turn up. Again, many thanks for your help.
It's very easy to push Climaflex over a polypipe while it's being laid, you don't even have to cut open the slit, so it is less likely to come off at a curve. Try to get the "water regs" BS grade, which is as thick as your arm. you can get it at any DIY shed or builders/plumbers merchant. High street shops may only have the thinner grade, which will be better than nothing.
If you are having the work done tomorrow it will be too late to ask the water co to test your drinking water for lead content, which might have led to a grant or subsidy.
If you are having the work done tomorrow it will be too late to ask the water co to test your drinking water for lead content, which might have led to a grant or subsidy.
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