Replace lead water supply pipes in under 2 hours…no major excavations, and minimal disruption.
Awareness of the potential health problems caused by lead in the water supply, particularly in infants and children is growing. Although the use of lead in plumbing has been banned in the UK for more than 25 years, there are still many properties where a risk of lead contamination of water is a risk. Houses built before 1970 would have been constructed with lead water supply pipes. In some UK regions up to a third of these older properties are still receiving their water through these original lead pipes.1
Despite a greater awareness of the risks of lead contamination, property owners have been reluctant to embark upon supply replacement. The costs are high, with few and limited grants available from local councils. Finding reliable and reputable professionals to carry out the work is not easy, and the disruption is enough to put anyone off – unless they are undergoing a major refurbishment.
Throughout the UK water companies are aware of the risk of lead contamination, and the potential of acceptable lead levels in drinking supplies being further reduced from the current 10 micrograms per litre. Lead location and replacement programmes are being ramped up in the new AMP, with the emphasis on the water undertaker taking on this responsibility.
Despite many new innovations the only totally secure method to reduce lead levels in the water supply, in properties with lead supply pipes, is to replace the original supply with modern plastic pipe. 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, and a high unit cost.
INSUduct is an innovative solution. Minimising disturbance, time and cost.
Unlike traditional methods, INSUduct 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.
Requiring one simple core drilled hole through the wall, at an appropriate point to connect with the internal plumbing, using INSUduct enables most lead replacement operations to be completed within a couple of hours, without undue disruption to householders/occupiers.
INSUduct is carefully fabricated to provide long lasting and effective thermal protection to water pipes and fittings outside the thermal envelope of a building. There is little impact on the exterior appearance of the property, as the INSUduct system provides a neat, clean finish to the job. This method of wate supply replacement also allow multiple supply pipes to be installed in multi-occupancy properties, as it is designed to provide frost protection for up to three 32mm OD water pipes installed to the exterior of the building.
INSUduct is a high-quality product that exceeds regulated standards.
INSUduct exceeds British Standard 5422 and all relevant Water Regulations for frost protection. It is recognised as approved methods of installing new water supply pipes across the UK as part of lead supply pipe replacement programmes.
For more information please see our web site www.groundbreaker.co.uk/INSUduct or search “Watersafe/lead in water” or your local water company.
1 https://www.unitedutilities.com/help-and-support/your-water-supply/lead-pipes/
