Lead water main in Montreal

RECOGNIZE LEAD WATER MAIN

Identifying the presence of a lead water main is the first step. Lead is gray in color, with no shine (dull) and sinuous (the lead water main presents curvatures). Here are some examples:

	Lead water main and copper compression transition: Notice the dull gray color and pronounced curvatures. Also, compression-type transition joints are noted between the lead water main and the copper distribution line.
	Lead water main and bulge seal: Note the dull gray color. Also, there is a bulge-type transition joint between the lead water main and the brass main shut-off valve.
	Lead water main and bulge seal: Note the dull gray color and the bulge-type transition joint.
	Lead water main and bulge seal: Note the dull gray color and the bulge-type transition joint.
	Lead water main and copper threaded transition: Note the dull gray color and pronounced curvature. Also, there is a threaded-type transition joint above the main shut-off valve.
	Lead water main and galvanized threaded transition: Note the dull gray color and pronounced curvature. Galvanized steel is dull gray like lead but has no curvature. Moreover, the presence of rust is a reliable sign of its presence.
	Lead water main and bulge-type joint: Note the dull gray color, the bulge-type transition joint and the pronounced curvature.
	Water intake and lead distribution line: Notice the dull gray color and the two bulge-type transition joints on either side of the main shut-off valve.

 

DIFFERENTIATE A LEAD WATER MAIN FROM A COPPER OR GALVANIZED STEEL WATER MAIN:

Caracteristic	Lead	Copper	Steel
Presence of bulge-type joint	yes
Easy to bend	yes	yes
It can be scoured with finger nail	yes
Gray color	yes		yes
Copper-colored when scraped with a metal object		yes
Straight			yes
Presence of rust			yes
Attracts a magnet			yes
Presence of verdigris (greenish oxidation color on copper)		yes
Resonates when percuted		yes	yes

 

	Copper water main:  Note the copper color, the presence of verdigris and the rectilinear shape.
	Galvanized steel water main:  Note the dull gray color and the straight shape.

 

REPLACEMENT TECHNIQUES FOR A WATER MAIN:

Replacing a water main can be done by either of the following methods: conventional excavation and water line pulling.

During a conventional excavation, a trench is excavated from the starting point to the point of arrival of the water line. In other terms, this trench is dug from the foundation of the building (at the location of the main shut-off valve in the basement) to the curb stop valve. This method involves dismantling or demolishing what is between the starting point and the point of arrival. Balcony, sidewalk, asphalt, paving-stone, tree and landscaping are affected and must be rebuilt following the work.

During a water line pulling, a continuous trench does not have to be dug: only two access holes are dug. The first one is 12 “(width) x 24” (length) x 12 “(depth) and is dug inside the building at the location of the main shut-off valve. The second, a size of 5 ft (width) x 5 ft (length) x 6 ft (depth), is dug at the curb stop valve. Then both ends of the lead water main are cut and opened. A steel cable is passed inside the old lead line and the new copper line so as to create a “train” of pipes. This cable is connected to a hydraulic water line pulling device: the cable is pulled and brings with it the two lines of water “train” or assembly. The old lead water main is removed and the new copper water main follows and replaces it.

	Step 1: Passing a steel cable through the lead water main.  Once the two access holes have been dug, a steel cable is passed through the lead pipe.
	Step 2: Assembling the new copper water main to the old lead water main.  The same cable is passed through the copper pipe. The two pipes now form a “train of pipes”: the lead in front and the copper behind it.
	Step 3: Pulling the steel cable  The pulling device pulls on the steel cable. The two pipes are pulled from the hole inside the building towards the hole at the curb stop valve. The lead water main pipe exits first and is replaced by the copper water main pipe that follows it.

 

The advantage of a water main replacement by water-line pulling is of course the speed of execution and the reduction of the damage to landscaping. This reduces costs for the work itself and for the restoration of the premise after the work. Although it is a great technique, water line pulling does not always work: the inside diameter of the lead pipe is too restricted, the underground curves are too pronounced, there are large rocks adjacent to the pipe, the ground is too hard, the cable is breaks, the pipes are disassembled. In the event of a water line pulling failure, the conventional excavation takes over finishes the work.

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