Lead Pipe Replacement Questions

[James Cullinane]

Hi all

So I have done some plumbing in my house with push-fit pipes. And now I am looking into replacing the lead pipe from my main water supply.

In the picture you can see I have a plastic mains pipe, that runs into a 15mm pipe with stopcock. Then this is coupled to an old lead pipe.

This pipe runs up and under the floorboards. Presumably it used to go to the tanks which have been removed in place of a combo boiler. So now the water runs through the house down into the downstairs bathroom where it supplies my taps, tees off for the kitchen and then through into the combo boiler, where it then produces hot water and feeds that back out (correct me if I am wrong).

My questions -

If I replaced the lead pipe is a 22mm pipe the new standard?

Can I simply use a push-fit coupler (15 x 22mm) and join this to the 15mm copper where the stopcock is?

Can I use JG speedfit piping for this job?

Thanks in advance - and sorry if my terminology is rubbish.

Jim

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Yes you can and 22mm

You can use speedfit if you want best option is to install it in copper

 

[kris]

If it was me I'd go from plastic ( I cant see but presume its black alkethene) to a new 22mm stopcock , check valve then onwards with 22mm copper . But if thats a bit much the answer to your query is yes lol

 

[James Cullinane]

Thanks guys. So speedfit plastic is a yes. But copper if you had a choice. Can I ask what the benefit of copper over plastic would be? Thanks again. Very much appreciated

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Bigger internal diameter and tbh if installed correctly will last longer

 

[centralheatking]

You can use copper pipe with push fit fittings as its the same OD
best of both worlds in my view. Did this on 3rd floor of my last house and lasted 18 years then I sold it. centralheatking

 

[James Cullinane]

Thank you!! That is very good to know. I thought you could but having someone say that makes it better. Think I will go for JG push put and 22mm cooper then!!

 

[OffshoreGas]

Thanks guys. So speedfit plastic is a yes. But copper if you had a choice. Can I ask what the benefit of copper over plastic would be? Thanks again. Very much appreciated

Vermin are another big disadvantage of plastic pipework. Rats etc will have a tough time chewing through copper.