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Lead Pipe Replacement 2

Lead Pipe Replacement:

Living with low water pressure or worried about the levels of lead in your drinking water supply ?

There’s never been a better time to replace your lead service pipe by taking advantage of the Thames Water Lead Pipe Replacement Scheme and ensuring you have access to a plentiful supply of lead-free drinking water in your home or place of business.

Start with a FREE Quotation

Just fill out the form below or call free on 0800 0371 247, and we’ll ring you back to discuss your requirements. It’s easy and fast…

Welcome to London & Surrey Water Services

We are a team of certified plumbers & supply pipe contractors approved to carry out lead pipe replacement in application to the Thames Water Lead Pipe Replacement Scheme

about us

WaterSafe Approved Plumbers and Supply Pipe Contractors

We specialise in lead pipe replacement,  new water connections, and customer-side leak detection and repair.

 

We hold extensive experience in coordinated works with Thames Water Lead Pipe Replacement Scheme, Developer Services & Customer Side Leakage teams.

 

Water quality and water efficiency play an integral part in our services.  We adopt a best practice approach to any advice or recommendations we provide and ensure that all installations and repair work carried out is fully compliant with the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 and BSEN 806.

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Our Internal & External Plumbing Services

We offer a full range of internal plumbing and supply pipe services including new installations, repair and replacement

New Water Connections

If you're in the process of applying for a new or replacement water connection through Thames Water Developer Services. We can install your new supply pipework and certify it for connection.

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Impact Moling Services

If you have concerns over lead in your drinking water supply. We can replace your lead supply pipework and coordinate in your application to the Thames Water Lead Pipe Replacement Scheme.

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Leak Detection & Repair

We use state-of-the-art leak detection equipment to pinpoint non-visible leaks on mains water supply pipework and internal plumbing system before effectively repairing the leak.

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Low Water Pressure

If you're experiencing low water pressure or poor flow rates, give us a call. We can identify the limitations in your water supply and offer practical solutions to solve it

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Internal Plumbing

We hold extensive experience in internal pipework installation and modifications to improve water flow rates, bypassing concealed leaks and general plumbing repairs

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Emergency Plumbers

We offer reliable and affordable 24-hour plumbing services in London. We are on-call to respond to the sudden loss of your water supply or internal and external water leaks

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Looking for advice or a Free Estimate for replacing your lead pipework?

We are always happy to offer advice and a free quotation for lead pipe replacement or applying to the lead replacement schemes in London. 

Feel free to call us or request a callback.

0800 037 1247
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Lead Pipe Replacement in London

Access to safe drinking-water is essential to health, a basic human right and a component of effective policy for health protection. (WHO 2016)

Impact moling is a limited dig, low-impact method of replacing underground water pipes. The use of moling equipment allows replacing lead pipes, upgrading existing supply pipes, or separating shared water supply pipes can be completed quickly with minimal disruption to existing landscapes.

 

By excavating a series of carefully chosen launch and retrieval pits at the required depth, the pneumatically driven impact mole tunnels its way underground, leaving a route for the new pipe in its path. 

 

Moling is one of the most reliable and least disruptive methods of carrying out water supply pipe replacements employed throughout the water industry today. 

" Lead plumbing in public buildings and domestic premises remains a measurable risk to public health, and action is needed for the protection of future generations"

(Marcus Rinks, Chief Inspector DWI 2021)

Typically, water supply pipe replacement involves excavating a launch pit at the customer’s side of the property boundary (in line with the outside stop valve) and a retrieval pit at the newly chosen point of entry into the building. 

 

The excavations are small enough to be excavated in carefully chosen locations by hand. 

 

The impact mole will bore underground from the launch pit at the boundary to the retrieval pit at the new point of entry into the building. The supply pipe replacement can then be fed through the borehole to be connected to the outside stop valve and internal plumbing. 

The benefits from Lead Pipe Replacement

Moling Services overall offers a faster, less disruptive and more cost-effective method of installing underground pipework

The main benefits from replacing lead pipework are

Safe and Clean Water

Replacing your lead pipes will ensure that your drinking water is free from lead and potentially raised levels caused by galvanic corrosion resulting from historic repairs and alterations.

Improved Water Pressure

Lead pipes have a narrow internal diameter that is often undersized to supply modern plumbing systems. By replacing your pipes, you can improve your water pressure and enjoy much better water flow rates.

Lower Risk of Burst Pipes

Lead pipes deteriorate over time and are prone to leak and burst. By replacing your pipes, you can reduce the risk of water damage to your property and save money on costly repairs.

Maintained Property Value

Prospective buyers of properties often require lead pipes to be replaced before completing a sale. Replacing your pipes before you put your property on the market can help maintain its sale value and speed up the sale process.

Thames Water Lead Pipe Replacement Scheme

Lead plumbing in public buildings and domestic premises remains a measurable risk to public health, and action is needed for the protection of future generations. (Marcus Rinks, Chief Inspector DWI 2021)

Thames Water’s Lead Replacement Scheme is part of a broader initiative to ensure that all customers have access to clean and safe drinking water. They are committed to helping protect public health and ensuring their customers can drink with confidence knowing their water is safe and free of lead.

 

Previously, only those premises where a water quality test showed levels likely above the legal threshold was eligible for free replacement of the communication pipe. However, this requirement has been relaxed, and now all property owners can take advantage of this scheme.

 

With the relaxed eligibility requirements, there has never been a better time to upgrade your lead pipes and ensure that you have access to safe drinking water in your home.

 

To take advantage of the scheme, all lead pipework within your property boundary that connects directly to the point of compliance (typically the cold water tap at the kitchen sink) needs to be replaced.

 

A further condition is that you intend to carry out the replacement of your lead pipework within 3 months and serve notice to Thames Water by way of a formal request.

Separating form a shared lead supply pipe.

If you’re on a shared lead supply pipe serving two or more properties, you have two possible options:

 

Option 1 You can agree with your neighbours to replace the whole shared supply pipe as a joint project.

 

Option 2 If your neighbours are reluctant to contribute towards replacing the shared supply. In that case, the scheme offers the option to separate from the shared supply by installing your own new supply pipe from inside your property to the current outside stop valve position at the boundary. Thames Water will then provide you with a new connection free of charge from the water main.

 

If you decide this is your best way forward, as part of your application and to comply with regulations, as the property leaving the shared supply, you will be responsible for disconnecting the redundant section of pipe from the remaining shared supply. This is to remove any dead leg in the pipework and the risk of stagnant water, reducing the quality of your neighbour’s water supply. This part of the work may involve working on your neighbour’s property, in which case you’ll need their agreement before committing to the work.

Before making your request, there are some steps to be taken before submission:

Step 1 - Confirm your water supplier

If you are a household customer and unsure who your water supplier is, you can check who provides your water and sewerage services by entering your postcode through the following link: find your supplier

Step 2- Confirm whether you have lead pipework

If you live in a home built post-1960 then it’s unlikely that your home has lead pipework. The use of lead was gradually phased out until change in building regulations prohibited its use in any newly constructed buildings from 1970.

Step 3 - Check your electrical earthing

If your building was constructed before 1966, the underground supply pipe we need to replace may provide the main earthing for your electrical system. This is a critical safety feature. If your electrical system has had any significant work carried out by a qualified electrician since 1966, then it’s likely that the main earthing is now provided by other means. 

 

You may also need to seek the advice of a qualified electrician to check your earthing arrangements before we start work.

Step 4 - Get us in to survey and provide a quote.

If you need help with how to complete any of the steps above, please call us on 0800 037 1247 to arrange for an approved plumber to visit your property.

 

During the visit, we will look to establish the most direct, least disruptive route for installing the replacement pipework.

 

To minimise disruption and reinstatement costs, we will always assess the feasibility of carrying out the external replacement works using Impact Moling

 

We will then be happy to provide you with a free, no-obligation quote for the work required and answer any other questions you have about the process.

Step 5 - Submit your request to the Thames Water Lead Replacement Scheme

If you’ve decided that it’s time to replace your lead supply pipe and plan to carry the work in within three months, you’ll need to complete the online application form requesting Thames Water replace the communication pipe on completion.

Ensuring your household is safe and free from potential health risks should always be a top priority. Affinity Water does provide its customers with a free lead replacement scheme similar to Thames Water’s and SES Water’s but with limitations. 

 

Affinity Water will replace any lead communication pipes for free. Still, in shared supply pipes, the offer is conditional that any other properties connected to the shared supply must also replace any lead pipework within their property for the request to stand.

 

If you live in an eligible property and want to learn more about this scheme and how to apply, visit the Affinity Water website.

Step 6 - Getting the work done.

We’ll make sure an exposed tail of the pipe is left at the boundary with enough length for the new pipe to be connected directly into the outside stopvalve and return on the scheduled day of connection to make the final connection of the new supply pipe to your internal plumbing.

 

Once we have completed the installation of the new pipe, we then issue a Certificate of Works Completed to confirm our new pipework satisfies both the lead pipe replacement scheme and the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations. Issuing this certificate bypasses the need for the homeowner to arrange with Thames Water to carry out a regulation inspection.

 

Once Thames Water receives a copy of our Certificate of Works Completed, your job will be passed for connection. Thames Water’s fulfilment team will then arrange to replace the communication pipe from the water main to the boundary.

 

Thames Water can take up to three months to arrange and complete the connection from the date we submit our certificate. This time frame is dependent on any traffic management arrangements and Thames Water receiving the required permissions to complete their side of the replacement.

 

The new communication pipe Thames Water will be a minimum of 25mm MDPE. 25mm MDPE will be an increase in internal diameter over most lead supply pipes, which typically have an inner diameter of 3/8th of an inch.

 

If you would like to install a pipe size above 25mm, you won’t be able to do so under the free lead pipe replacement scheme. Instead, you’ll need to apply through the Thames Water Developer Services team to provide a formal quotation for the replacement connection.

SES Water Lead Pipe Replacement Scheme

For SES Water, a top priority is providing safe and clean water to all its customers. They recognise from hazards of lead in drinking water and have taken steps to address this issue.

 

They offer a free lead pipe replacement programme similar to that of Thames Water.

 

This programme involves the free replacement of the communication pipe after the lead pipework within its customer’s property boundary has been replaced. Both households and businesses with either a single or shared supply pipe can apply for this scheme.

 

To learn more from SES Water about lead in drinking water,  if you would like to replace your lead pipewapply for the Free Lead Pipe Replacement Scheme by submitting the required information

Affinity Water Lead Pipe Replacement Scheme

Ensuring that your household is safe and free from any potential health risks should always be a top priority. Affinity Water does provide its customers a free lead replacement scheme similar to Thames Water’s and SES Water but with limitations. 

 

Affinity Water will replace any lead communication pipes for free, but in cases of shared supply pipes, the offer is conditional that any other properties connected to the shared supply must also replace any lead pipework within their property for the offer to stand.

 

If you live in an eligible property and are interested in finding out more about this scheme and how to apply, visit the Affinity Water website.

Having problems with your water supply?

We're always happy to offer advice and a free estimate without obligation for any problems you are experiencing with your water supply or internal plumbing. 

Feel free to call us or request a callback.

0800 037 1247
Call me back

Some recent Lead Pipe Replacement projects

We adopt a best practice approach to the work we carry out and ensure compliance with the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999

Why use our Lead Pipe Replacement service

We adopt a best practice approach to the work we carry out and ensure compliance with the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999

Experienced Contractors

 Thames Water approved plumbers and impact moling contractors for almost two decades, working exclusively on new connections, customer side leaks, and lead pipe replacement.

 
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We Certify Our Work

On completion of lead pipe renewals or a water supply pipe upgrade, we issue a certificate of works completed, which can be submitted to Thames Water to progress applications or satisfy enforcement notices.

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Gaurenteed Workmanship

Our certificates confirm that our workmanship satisfies the requirement of the water regulations. They also act as our guarantee of ten years for full supply pipe replacement and two years for supply pipe repairs.

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What Our Customers Say

We've built a solid reputation through our continually growing customer base as the most trusted team of Approved Plumbers and Moling Contractors in London.

Mark Gunn Bromley, BR1

I would highly recommend Alan. I wish we had found him earlier because it would have saved us both time and money. We had a water leak at our house which could not be located. I contacted other “experts” in underground water problems before finding Alan, none of them could offer a convincing solution. Alan is an expert in this area and articulated very clearly the alternative solutions and the pros and cons of each. Alan is very professional, hard working and tidy - you would not be able to tell that concrete and flagstones were removed to do the work. Excellent job.

Alexander Ritchie Dulwich, SE19

We had a severe water leak that was flooding the basement of our house. Alan and Grant dealt with this emergency straight away. The organisation for our job was efficient, and we were kept informed at all points in the process. The repair was complex. It required moling through the basement exterior wall and installing a new connection to our internal supply. Alan carried this difficult task out efficiently and quickly, causing the least disruption possible, and it was a pleasure to deal with both him and Grant. Their price for the work was very reasonable. highly recommend!

David Haslett New Malden, KT1

Alan went above and beyond when installing my new water mains. He was prompt, professional, communicative, and really helpful, taking time after the job was done to offer advice on getting the best out of the new supply. I am amazed at how quickly he could get the job done and left the house so clean afterwards you would never have known he was there. The fact he is Thames Water approved was also a huge bonus and made the whole process much quicker and easier. I can't recommend him highly enough and would 100% use London & Surrey Water Services again.

David Haslett New Malden, KT1

Alan went above and beyond when installing my new water mains. He was prompt, professional, communicative, and really helpful, taking time after the job was done to offer advice on getting the best out of the new supply. I am amazed at how quickly he could get the job done and left the house so clean afterwards you would never have known he was there. The fact he is Thames Water approved was also a huge bonus and made the whole process much quicker and easier. I can't recommend him highly enough and would 100% use London & Surrey Water Services again.

Read our latest reviews

FAQ's about Lead Pipe Replacement

We adopt a best practice approach to the work we carry out and ensure compliance with the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999

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Frequently Asked Questions

We adopt a best practice approach to the work we carry out and ensure compliance with the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999

Our Lead Pipe Replacement Service Area

South London – Bromley – Croydon – Merton – Kingston – Sutton – Wandsworth – West London – Brent – Ealing – Hammersmith – Harrow  – Richmond Hillingdon – Hounslow – East London – Lewisham – Greenwich – Hackney – Tower Hamlets – Newham – Bexley – Waltham Forrest – North London – Barnet –Enfield– Haringey – Central London – Camden – City of London – Kensington – Islington – Lambeth – Southwark – Westminster – Surrey – Elmbridge – Epsom  Guildford – Mole Valley – Reigate –  Runnymede – Spelthorne – Surrey Heath – Tandridge – Waverley – Woking

Ready to Connect

Our team is available 24/7 and will be more than happy to offer advice or answer any questions you may have. Feel free to contact us anytime at 0800 037 1247 or fill out the contact form below if you would like to to find out more about our services or for to arrange your FREE, no obligation quotation!

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