rising mains pipe in Edinburgh - is it lead?

[mymedi]

Hi,
I'm looking to buy a flat in Edinburgh's New Town area and I'm wondering whether the tenement's rising water mains has been replaced or if it's still the old lead one. I've called Scottish Water and they said the street level mains have all been replaced, but they have no idea whether individual tenements' have or not.
I've taken some photographs of what I could without ripping up the whole boxing around the pipes within the stair. Maybe someone with experience could help out with advice?
I'm not sure if the picture is of the rising mains or of the waste drain pipe and whether it's lead or not...
Many thanks!
Michael

Untitled

• mymedi
• 1 Oct 2012
• 1

Untitled

• mymedi
• 1 Oct 2012
• 1

 

[45yearsagasman]

That looks like cast drain pipe to me. Scratch the surface and if its lead it will score easily.

 

[mymedi]

Thanks for the reply!
I did scratch the surface with my keys - you might be able to make out some scratches in the pictures. I wasn't sure how to read the result - it definitely didn't score easily and wasn't as shiny as I would've expected lead to be.

 

[seco services]

Def not lead as said looks like a cast iron soil pipe.

 

[mymedi]

If this is indeed the cast iron drain pipe, then I guess my question is - does this mean that the tenement's plumbing had been upgraded at some point and the other pipes are also not lead or is it still possible that if I open up the boxing I'll find lead piping?
I realize this is a guessing game question, but in your opinion what's the likelihood?
Thanks!

 

[seco services]

Could still be lead.

 

[Stivino]

What size is the pipe you're refering to? It looks like it's about 3" in diameter. I take it the small pipe to the left of it is the gas riser? The water supply will be about the same size as that one.

 

[mymedi]

What size is the pipe you're refering to? It looks like it's about 3" in diameter. I take it the small pipe to the left of it is the gas riser?

That's correct.

The water supply will be about the same size as that one.

Thanks for that. Looks like I'll have to go back and actually find a way to open the boxing...

 

[Stivino]

When you called Scottish water, did you call the 0845 601 8855 number? that puts you through to the call centre which, was in Balmore Rd, Glasgow. They won't have any local information.
You need to ask a "water officer" based in Fairmilehead. Off the top of my head, I think the number is 445 4141.