What does the work involve?
1. Survey and support
Our site surveyor will go through the work with you in detail and help you find the best option for your pipe work, all with the aim of helping make sure any disruption is kept to a minimum and your house is left in the best condition possible.
2. Trenchless technology
Our supply partners will carry out the lead pipe replacement on our behalf. Some traffic management will be necessary and this will be carried out in liaison with the local authority.
Where possible, to minimise disruption, we plan on replacing your pipe using a technique called ‘trenchless technology’.
This means we don’t have to dig one long trench, but instead dig two smaller holes. We insert the new pipe through one hole, where it is tunnelled underground and then pulled out through the second hole, as close to your house as possible. If you wish, we will also replace the lead pipework to the nearest tap within your home tap at no additional cost to you.
3. Replacement
Any areas which we may have to dig out will be put back as near as possible to their original condition, though we cannot guarantee they will look exactly the same as to what you have at the present time, for example if you have a unique patterned patio.
If there is an area of special surface, such as decking or patterned concrete, which may need to be removed, this will be discussed with you by our site surveyor at the time of the survey, as if it suits you better, you may wish to employ your own contractor to remove or replace these areas.
Any grassed areas will be grass seeded and, if possible, replaced with the turf that was removed during the excavation. While we can help you with the work inside your home, unfortunately we won’t be able to do any re-plastering or painting. However, we’ll do our upmost to make sure your home has the minimal disruption and again our site surveyor will talk you through this so you know exactly what to expect.
Common questions
Some excavations may be required in your front and/or rear garden.
These areas will be treated as a work site and kept safe with boards or barriers. Please avoid entering these areas unnecessarily for Health & Safety reasons.
Where possible, no-dig technology will be used to minimise disruption.
Permanent reinstatement is included unless specified otherwise at the survey.
- Disturbed lawn areas will be replaced with topsoil and seed (you must ensure watering).
- Dug areas will be reinstated as near as possible to original condition, but an exact match cannot be guaranteed.
- Specialist surfaces such as decking, imprint concrete, resin, porcelain tiles, astro-turf or similar may require you to use your own contractor for removal/replacement.
Specialist surfaces removed will be backfilled to finished height, but you must arrange permanent reinstatement.
Plants can be removed/reinstated, but survival cannot be guaranteed. You may choose to move them yourself.
Yes. Work may require:
- Surface-mounted pipework
- Lifting carpets/floorboards
- Emptying cupboards
- Moving appliances
You must make sure these areas are accessible and restore them afterwards. You are responsible for painting, plastering, boxing-in and reinstating flooring.
We will:
- Lift carpets/floorboards if asked (no guarantee on how these lift or re-lay).
- Help with removing kitchen appliances/furniture (any damage is not our responsibility).
- Confirm you are happy with internal works before we leave.
- Reinstate external excavations with as close a match as possible (excluding specialist surfaces).
- Lag pipes in outbuildings or garages.
- Help with putting appliances back to the best of our ability.
- Confirm you are happy with external reinstatement before we leave.
Yes, but built-in appliances may be difficult to remove and reinstall.
We can help but cannot guarantee they will go back exactly as before, including matched kitchen doors.
Unless agreed at survey, we do not:
- Remove/replace decking
- Remove/replace imprint concrete
- Paint or replace wall coverings
- Chase floors or walls
- Remove/replace internal or external tiles
- Move furniture or empty cupboards
- Remove kitchen appliances
- Replace resin paths/driveways
- Replace turf (only seed is supplied)
- Remove/replace artificial grass
- Exactly match concrete/slabs
- Box in or tile around pipework
- Remove/refit laminate or wooden flooring
- Remove kitchen units
- Lag pipes due to condensation
- Alter your existing pipework
- Guarantee plants
In some difficult installations, a pipe entry system may be installed into an external wall.
The surveyor will advise if this is needed.
The positions and number of excavations are a guide only.
Underground obstacles cannot be fully identified in advance.
If public-side work was needed, you may still see signs or boards on footpaths until another contractor returns to finish these works.
From completion:
- Two-year guarantee for reinstatement works.
- Two-year guarantee for newly installed pipework.
(Existing pipework is not covered.)
If your property uses a metal water service pipe for earthing, this has been prohibited since 1966 and may now be unsafe.
If unsure, contact your electricity supplier or an approved electrician (they may charge).
Earthing is your responsibility, and no legal liability is accepted for damage or injury caused by using a water pipe as an electrical earth.
Condensation can occur. You are recommended to insulate the cold pipe with foam tubing or similar.
Increased pressure may cause “pipe hammer” if existing pipework isn’t properly clipped.
Extra clips may be needed. We are responsible only for newly installed pipework and the connection fitting.
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