Old lead supply cable

[normanton]

Morning gents, recently bought a house which I'm currently renovating, there is an old water mains and an old lead supple cable coming through together under my doorstep. The water mains has been leaking, possibly for donkeys years as all the outter insulation has corroded away and is actually down to the centre core of the cable. WPD came out, took a hurried look at it and said "it doesn't look to bad". Apparently if I want it renewed it is chargeable. Not had much expericence on lead cables, anybody know exactly how dangerous this is, and also if WPD are obliged to repair this free of charge (been as its their side of the cut out after all) , any help would be great thanks. Lee

 

[Leesparkykent]

Can you post up a picture?

 

[Marvo]

A few photos will get you some better advice if you can attach some.

 

[PEG]

Hi fella,When you say,insulation,do you mean "outer binding"? and down to the "centre core" should be core's'...As mentioned,a couple of pictures would assist in gauging its' age,type and condition,but if DNO has been out and OK'd it,as long as readings are good,your sweet.:icon12:

 

[Andy78]

This is the worst I have ever seen. This was also apparently deemed ok by the DNO. All my test results were fine so I finished up and jogged on. If you are unhappy with the DNO findings then why not ring them and ask for a second opinion from a senior engineer ?

 

[Lucien Nunes]

There's no such thing as outer insulation. If the tarred hessian serving and armour tape have disintegrated you will see the lead sheath of the cable proper. This is often OK by itself if it is not subject to mechanical damage - many cables for indoor use were just bare lead anyway. If you were to scrape away all the rust and muck from Andy78's cable I bet you would find a nice shiny lead surface in good condition. OTOH if it is subject to damage, the armouring ought to be intact. The serving is neither here nor there, it was just to give the cable a smooth surface and protect the armour in the ground.

Inside the lead is the paper insulation and this you should not be seeing!

 

[Knobhead]

It will only be the hessian and steel tape (if used) that will have rotted away. Leave it alone, undisturbed it will carry on for years.

Damage it and you will have a hefty bill to pay.