Lead pipe leaking

brightspark

Is it true that plumbers are not permitted to repair a leaking lead pipe and must replace it?

I'm well aware that it is better to replace the lead pipe, I'm asking if there are any rules or regulations specifically stating that lead pipes should not be repaired.

gctest50

use a lead-loc in the meantime so you can flush the toilet n stuff while you are running the new pipe

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/1-2-7lb-Lead-to-15mm-Copper-Pipe-Fitting-Lead-Loc-/181825924689?hash=item2a55ab6e51

brightspark

gctest50 wrote: »

use a lead-loc in the meantime so you can flush the toilet n stuff while you are running the new pipe

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/1-2-7lb-Lead-to-15mm-Copper-Pipe-Fitting-Lead-Loc-/181825924689?hash=item2a55ab6e51

Thanks, I have patch on it for now.

Not sure if that fitting will work anyway, the pipe is very distorted from a couple of decades in the ground.

However I am more interested in knowing the legality of repairing a lead pipe as opposed to replacing it.

Robbie.G

brightspark wrote: »

Thanks, I have patch on it for now.

Not sure if that fitting will work anyway, the pipe is very distorted from a couple of decades in the ground.

However I am more interested in knowing the legality of repairing a lead pipe as opposed to replacing it.

There is no legal requirement to replace a lead pipe in your own home afaik

antoinolachtnai

I don't think there is any rule stopping a lead pipe from being fixed but it could be bad practice to do so. If the lead pipe is not in very good condition indeed, it will leak again somewhere else at some stage after you repair the first leak when the pressure comes back on it.

Messing around with lead pipes is time consuming and expensive. Plastic piping on the other hand is pretty cheap.

brightspark

Thanks for the replies.

I had been told that a plumber had said he wasn't permitted to fix the leak. (I currently have a couple of rubber patches secured by hose clips). I wasn't even expecting to find a lead pipe as the pipe is going to an extension which was built in the 70s.

Judging by the condition of the part I exposed, I wouldn't be surprised if it was leaking elsewhere but most of it is under concrete or tarmac so until a meter is fitted I won't know.

Of course the only proper course of action is to replace the pipe completely, but I was hoping to be able to get Irish Water to do it for free under the first fix scheme. If there was a regulation or guideline that prohibited them from fixing the pipe then I might have been in a stronger position to demand a complete replacement.

antoinolachtnai

Is there a grass verge where you can run a replacement? Really, this is the thing to do. It will be a rainy day in hell before Irish Water will replace that for you.

brightspark

antoinolachtnai wrote: »

Is there a grass verge where you can run a replacement? Really, this is the thing to do. It will be a rainy day in hell before Irish Water will replace that for you.

No, it's entirely under Tarmac or cement from the stopcock through to wherever it actually enters the house. (Under Tarmac from the road, cement at the side of the house leading eventually I guess to the kitchen) A lot of digging and then restoring the surface to be done!