07852 780113
ChilternWater Services

Lead pipe replacement

Lead pipe replacement for older houses across the Chilterns.

Plenty of houses in the Chalfonts, Gerrards Cross, Beaconsfield and Amersham were built when lead was the normal material for a water supply pipe. A lot of them still have it.

Lead can get into drinking water, especially in soft water areas or where a pipe has been disturbed, and old lead pipe also tends to be narrow and prone to leaks at the joints. Replacing it with new MDPE gets rid of both problems in one go.

07852 780113Get a quote
5.033 Google reviews
A pit at the edge of a concrete drive with new blue pipe passing beneath the drainage channel

Why replace it

Lead is the one pipe worth replacing before it fails

Most pipes get replaced because they leak. Lead is different: the reason to take it out is what it can put into your drinking water, and that is a reason that does not wait for a leak.

  • Gets lead out of your drinking water
  • Usually a better bore, so better pressure
  • Ends the leaks at old wiped joints
  • Often done by mole, under the drive
  • Ask your water company about their lead scheme
  • Done in a day for most houses

Lead pipe replacement

Do you have a lead pipe?

Find your internal stop tap, usually under the kitchen sink, and look at the pipe coming up out of the floor to it. Lead is dull grey, soft, and if you scratch it gently with a coin it shows shiny silver underneath. It will not ring if you tap it and a magnet will not stick to it.

Not sure? Send us a photo of it and we will tell you.

New blue supply pipe rising out of a pit beside a rendered house wall, ready to enter the building

Lead pipe replacement

The job itself

A new MDPE supply pipe is run from the boundary to the house, by mole under drives and paths wherever we can, and the lead is disconnected at both ends. The new pipe enters through a duct and connects to a new internal stop tap.

Many water companies will replace their own lead pipe up to the boundary for free, or contribute to the cost, when you replace yours. It is worth asking yours before we start, and we can help with the paperwork.

A narrow pit dug at the edge of a lawn with new blue pipe rising out of the bore at the bottom

In full

Lead pipe replacement covers

Homes and commercial properties across South Bucks and the Chilterns.

  • Lead supply pipe replacement
  • New MDPE supply pipe
  • Moling under drives and paths
  • New internal stop tap
  • Lead disconnected and capped
  • Water company lead scheme paperwork
  • Shared lead supplies split
  • Ground reinstated

Reviews

What customers said

“Really great work from Craig and the team at Chiltern Water Services. He did all the tough work then put everything back how it was afterwards. Efficient, reliable and friendly. And we are finally shot of our old lead pipes. Thanks Craig!”
Gareth B.Google review
“Incredibly efficient company headed by Craig and Pete! They replaced a lead water mains today and I was so impressed I had to immediately write a glowing review!”
Linda S.Google review
“Chiltern Water Services replaced my old lead water pipe to new plastic pipe. Pete and Craig kept me up dated at each stage of the job.”
Antonio M.Google review

On site

Photographed on the job

A narrow pit dug at the edge of a lawn with new blue pipe rising out of the bore at the bottom
New blue supply pipe rising out of a pit beside a rendered house wall, ready to enter the building
A pit at the edge of a concrete drive with new blue pipe passing beneath the drainage channel
A deep narrow pit under a hedge with a length of new blue pipe running down into it and a spade resting on the edge
An excavation in the corner by a wall-mounted meter cabinet, with new blue pipe running up to it
The same corner afterwards, the paving relaid around the meter cabinet and stop tap box

Questions

Lead pipe replacement: common questions

Is lead pipe dangerous?

Lead can dissolve into water that sits in the pipe, and there is no safe level of lead in drinking water. The risk is higher for young children and during pregnancy. Replacing the supply pipe removes the source.

Will the water company pay for any of it?

Many water companies run a lead replacement scheme: they replace their pipe up to the boundary for free when you replace yours, and some contribute to your side as well. Ask yours before we book the job in.

Does the internal plumbing need doing too?

Only if there is lead inside the house as well, which is less common. We will look at the pipework by the stop tap when we price the job and tell you what we find.

Lead pipe replacement near you

We also do

Leak detectionUnderground leaks found with tracer gas and listening kit, before anything gets dug.Water main repairsLeaking supply pipes dug out, repaired, pressure tested and put back. Most done in a day.Water main replacementOld, leaking or undersized supply pipes replaced with new MDPE, often in a single day.MolingNew pipe pushed under drives, lawns and paths with no trench. Two small pits, no mess.Emergency repairsBurst supply pipes and flooding leaks. Ring, and we will get to you as fast as we can.New supplies & reroutingNew water supplies, shared supplies split, and pipes moved for extensions and new builds.Low pressure & upgradesWeak flow fixed at the source, with supply pipes upsized for bigger houses and new bathrooms.

Next step

Get a price for lead pipe replacement

Tell us what you are seeing and roughly where you are. Craig will come and look, and give you a clear price before anything is dug.

Send us the details

Tell us what you are seeing and roughly where you are. A photo of the meter or the wet patch can follow by email.

Or ring 07852 780113. Craig answers it himself.