Removal and replacement of lead water supply pipes is not only good for occupiers’ health but comes under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 Section 11 to maintain the water supply.

The industry has been aware of the potential damage lead can do to the environment and health, particularly in infants and children, for over 50 years.  Houses built before 1970 would have been constructed with lead water supply pipes and in some areas of the UK up to a third of these older properties are still receiving their water through these original lead pipes. UK water companies are actively engaged in replacement of these old lead supplies, with many offering free replacement of supply to the property boundary.

In any brown field development removal of a lead water supplies should be a priority.  In addition to removal of potential contaminants, these new pipe materials improve flow rates and reducing pipe noise.

Traditionally, any lead replacement program requires major excavations outside a property and causes huge disruption within.  Resulting in mess and disturbance to householders over several days.  This disruption has often been the cause of users’ reluctance to have the work undertaken.  However, with wider use of modern boilers, the lower water flow of old lead pipes can cause problems and are often the incentive for supply replacement.

“Lead Water Supply replacement has become a priority for water companies across the UK. Systems such as INSUduct® can overcome user reluctance and provide and time and cost-efficient methods of water supply pipe reluctance.”

Steve Leigh, Managing Director, Groundbreaker

Replace lead water supply pipes in under 2 hours…no major excavations, minimal disruption.

An innovative solution to water supply pipe replacement which significantly reduces disturbance, time and cost is the routing of the new supply pipe up the external face of the building.  Now recognised by some of the UK’s largest water companies as the preferred method of lead supply replacement, INSUduct® by Groundbreaker is revolutionising lead supply replacement practice.

Traditionally, pipes needed to be within the thermal envelope of the building or buried to minimise the risk of frost damage and freeze thaw bursts. “We’ve been putting pipes in holes in the ground to protect them from frost for decades,” Steve Leigh, Managing Director Groundbreaker explained. “Although it works, today’s new materials allow for a much better solution.  Keeping pipes on the surface reduces the risk of leaks developing and allows for easy repair and maintenance.  It’s just a must better method of working.” 

The insulated ducting products are designed to provide long lasting and effective thermal protection to water pipes and fittings outside the thermal envelope of a building. To achieve the level of protection required by British Standard 5422 and all relevant Water Regulations for frost protection, the ducting must be carefully fabricated to provide long lasting protection and should be tested and approved to Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations, Regulation 4 or listed as an approved product by WRAS Approvals.

Easy installation, saving time and money.

Installation of a new supply using INSUduct® is straight forwards, enabling most water supply replacements to be completed within a couple of hours, without the traditional mess and disruption to the householders or occupiers.  The improvement in work efficiency and reduction on the impact to occupants is a win for both contractor and customer.  There is also little impact to the exterior appearance of the property, as the system provides a neat, clean finish to the job.

The insulated ducting allows the new water service to be routed up the external face of the building and connected to the internal plumbing above ground level, whether this is the ground floor or upper storey.  In multi-occupancy properties INSUduct® allows multiple supply pipes to be installed, as it is designed to provide frost protection for up to three 32mm OD water pipes installed to the exterior of the building.

The use of insulated ducting also allows compliance with British Plumbing Employers Council (BPEC) best practice of joint free supply installation.   In their Groundworker, Service Pipe and Meter Housing Installation Training, the use of joint free installation is recommended and is recognized to minimize the risk of future joint failure and leaks.

In addition to providing a simple solution to lead free water provision, INSUduct® can be used in association with Groundbreaker’s surface mounted meter housings, ideal for where the new generation of smart meters are being installed.

www.groundbreaker.co.uk