Lead Wiring

[Derek T]

Can anyone give me some advise on this :

I have just bought a 1 bed flat and the survey states that it still has lead wiring.

Can anyone advise if this is something which has to be replaced immediately or is it possible to still use this house with the current wiring.

My intention will be to rent out the property so it would need to pass elec safety check.

If it is to be re-wired can anyone give me a ball park figure for a 1 bed flat.

 

[thompsk]

You wont get a test passed with lead wiring it went out with the arc.
Rewire asap.
A complete rewire and test on a 1 bed flat ? Would say betweem £1000 to £1500 depending on what you have fitted, having said that though its been a while since i have done any domestic jobs for myself so i stand to get corrected probably.

 

[Derek T]

Thanks for your help.

 

[Adam_151]

Put it this way, lead sheathed wiring hasn't been installed since 1947, the cores were VIR insulated (which has a working life of 25 years) and while within the sheath its been protected from air and sunlight, etc, I suspect it'll be degrading from the ends inwards!

When it gets ripped out, collect it up and weigh it in, not sure how much lead is worth these days, but if its worth the effort of teenage tearaways to rip it off rooftops, then surely its worth your effort to weigh in your old wiring

 

[securespark]

teenage tearaways

That's terribly restrained of you!

 

[ricicle]

weigh it in, not sure how much lead is worth these days,

About £500/tonne round here - about 1/8 of the price you'll get for brightwire copper!

 

[RF Lighting]

But lead is heavier, so you don't need as much

 

[ricicle]

But lead is heavier, so you don't need as much

Arf arf!

 

[baldelectrician]

Lead wiring is dangerous - you shold get a rewire very quck

Price for a rewire ( I am presuming a tenement flat- so the rewiring is a bit of skill with the lights if you don't want to wreck the place completely) ?
Did a flat last year - £2200 all in - full rewire .

PS if it is a flat you technically need a building warrant. That's up to you- it's the owners responsability, not the contractor.

The home sellers pack hits the streets this year - read on if you may decide to sell in future.

The Home Report will be MANDATORY for all house sales from 1st December 2008. If you have had work done you may be asked to provide paperwork to from a registered electrical contractor
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2008/01/30105839/Q/Video/437

You should use a competent person for the work, links below

In Scotland:
Individuals regitered;
http://www.sbsa.gov.uk/register/ListAC.asp
Companies
http://www.sbsa.gov.uk/register/SearchCo.asp?T=Construction&ID=2

In England and Wales:
http://www.competentperson.co.uk

The building warrant stuff is detailed below

The council require electrical paperwork from a competent person
(a competent person is classed as a member of SELECT or a NICIEC full scope contractor)

See links for my local council

http://www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk/na...=NoDoc&DFBC=Building regulations&CatLevel=3||

http://www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk/devser/documents/bsguidancecei.pdf

SBSA Guidance (what the councils should be adhering to)
http://www.sbsa.gov.uk/pdfs/Electrical Guidance for Verifiers 29Mar06.pdf

The ball in your court as it were