Replacing lead water pipes is generally recommended, because water can pick up lead as it passes through them. Wessex Water says lead was sometimes used for water pipes before its toxicity was fully understood, and it encourages customers to consider replacing internal lead plumbing.
Lead pipes are more likely in older properties, but you cannot tell just from the age of a home. Some older homes have already had their lead pipes replaced, while others still have short sections left in place.
How to Tell If You May Have Lead Pipes
Lead pipes are usually dull grey and soft. If scratched gently, the surface may look shiny silver underneath. They often have rounded, swollen joints rather than neat fittings. Lead pipes may be found near the stopcock, where the supply enters the building, or in older parts of the internal plumbing.
Lead pipes are sometimes painted or hidden behind boxing, which can make them harder to spot. Looking at the pipe where it comes up through the floor near the stopcock is often a good place to start.
Not every grey pipe is lead, and some homes have a mix of materials. If you are unsure, a plumber can check, and your water supplier may also offer advice on lead in your area.
Who Is Responsible for Which Pipes
Water companies are responsible for their own pipes, and Wessex Water says it replaces lead service pipes as part of a long-term programme. Pipes inside your property are your responsibility. Wessex Water says customers are responsible for internal lead pipes in their properties.
The supply pipe between your boundary and the building is often the owner’s responsibility too, although arrangements can vary. It is worth checking with your water supplier, especially if you share a supply pipe.
What Replacement Can Involve
Replacing lead pipework usually means fitting new pipe from where the supply enters the property to the taps and fittings it serves. How much work is involved depends on how much lead there is, where it runs and how easy it is to reach.
If only some of the pipework is lead, it may make sense to replace the lead sections and check how they connect to the rest of the system. Mixing materials is common, but joints between them need to be made properly.
Replacing the supply pipe outside may involve digging, which needs planning and may affect paths or gardens. Inside, access may be needed under floors or behind boxing. A plumber can explain what is likely to be involved.
What to Do in the Meantime
If you think you have lead pipes, your water supplier can give advice on reducing exposure until they are replaced. Our page on replacing old water pipes explains how older pipework, including lead, is assessed and replaced.
If you think your Poole home may have lead water pipes, a plumber can check the pipework and explain what replacing it may involve.