My son and his wife live in a Victorian terrace house that is supplied with water off a 'common' supply pipe that is feeding several houses. As a result his water pressure is abysmal and, when running a bath or having a shower, his combi boiler keeps overheating and 'tripping out'.
He has contacted United Utilities about the problem and, in common with all other water companies, they will supply a dedicated feed to the boundary of his house straight off the water main, free of charge.
Problem is, of course, that he will be responsible for the supply pipe from the boundary of his house, across the lounge and kitchen floors (solid) and up to the existing stop-c*ck. It is also, apparently, the householders responsibility to ensure that the existing lead supply pipe is capped at the point where it comes off the common supply pipe. (How on earth do you find out where that is?)
Knowing that I am a keen DIYer, he has asked me if I would be capable of installing the new supply pipe from kitchen to the new stop-c*ck outside on the pavement.
Although I am quite happy to undertake household plumbing (I've just completely replaced my bathroom, removing old airing cupboard and installing shower cubicle), I have no experience of installing supply pipes. Looking at the diagrams on the United Utilities web-site, it doesn't look that difficult - although digging down 750mm into my son's lounge floor and then cutting out through the foundations of the house does look a bit daunting.
Anyone any experience in this type of job willing to offer a view on whether this is DIY'able?
Kev