Occupier reluctance to replace lead water supplies is often due to unawareness of the risk to health and the concerns over cost and disruption.
With typical costs of supply pipe replacement of £1000-£4000, and the property owner responsible for the cost, there is an understandable reluctance to interfere with functioning supplies.
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. This disruption is another the cause of users’ reluctance to have the work undertaken.
However, in addition to removal of potential contaminants, the new pipe materials generally improve flow rates which can alleviate problems with modern boilers.
“INSUduct® is an innovative solution. Minimising disturbance, time and cost – all of the factors that cause reluctance to replace supply pipes by owners and occupiers.”
Replace lead water supply pipes in under 2 hours…no major excavations, minimal disruption.
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. In multi-occupancy properties INSUduct® allows multiple supply pipes to be installed, as it is designed to provide frost protection for up to three 32mm OD water pipes installed to the exterior of the building.
INSUduct only requires one simple core drilled hole through the wall, at an appropriate point to connect with the internal plumbing. This enables most water supply replacements to be completed within a couple of hours, without the traditional mess and disruption to the householders or occupiers. The improvement in work efficiency and reduction on the impact to occupants is a win for both contractor and customer. There is also little impact to the exterior appearance of the property, as the INSUduct system provides a neat, clean finish to the job.
“INSUduct® only requires one simple core drilled hole through the wall, at an appropriate point to connect with the internal plumbing. This enables most water supply replacements to be completed within a couple of hours...”
Groundbreaker products are designed to provide long lasting and effective thermal protection to water pipes and fittings outside the thermal envelope of a building. They offer frost protection for 3 days or more with temperatures as low as -15°C, temperatures we rarely reach in the UK - even with today’s erratic climate! Carefully fabricated to provide long lasting and effective thermal protection to water pipes and fittings in external situations, the products exceed British Standard 5422 and all relevant Water Regulations for frost protection and is on the “approved list” of most UK water companies.
The use of insulated ducting also allows compliance with British Plumbing Employers Council (BPEC) best practice of joint free supply installation. In their recently launched Groundworker, Service Pipe and Meter Housing Installation Training the use of joint free installation is recommended and is recognized to minimize the risk of future joint failure and leaks.
Steve Leigh, Managing Director of Groundbreaker, has over 40 years’ experience in the Water Industry and is the developer of INSUduct® and all the Groundbreaker products. In 2018 Groundbreaker were recognized by the HBF (Home Builders Federation) as the Utility Company of the Year for their innovative range that meets the highest standards in both product specification and leak free installation design.
[1] https://www.lovemoney.com/news/19726/the-most-common-home-insurance-claims
Images © Groundbreaker
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