Prospective home buyers in Wales want to see greater transparency about lead in homes in pre-sale surveys, according to a national survey by WaterSafe.
The UK register of approved plumbers found that 82% of 2,000 homeowners surveyed in Wales believe it is important for house surveys to include checks for lead pipes, with 42% saying it is very important. Of the 200 business owners surveyed, 50% said it was very important to check for lead pipes, and 42% said it was fairly important.
WaterSafe’s research also showed 32% of those surveyed in Wales believe sellers should be legally required to replace lead pipes before a sale is completed, while 27% think it should be the buyer’s choice.
“The public is sending a very clear message,” said WaterSafe managing director Jonathan Samuel.
“They want lead risks identified before they buy a home, and they expect action when lead pipes or the illegal use of lead solder in water fittings are found.
“Including these checks in homebuyer surveys would give families the confidence and information they need to make safe decisions.”
Marcus Rink, the chief inspector of the Drinking Water Inspectorate, recently called for all fittings, taps and solder to be checked for lead. He said:
“Water supply elements should be included in homebuyers’ reports as standard, so that when someone buys a property, they have clear information on the type of water supply and whether there is any legacy lead in the property’s water system.”
Lead exposure is particularly harmful to children, affecting development, behaviour and long‑term health. Lead solder has been banned for use in drinking water systems for more than 30 years, although WaterSafe said it still identifies cases where it has been used illegally in homes, including new builds or recently refurbished homes.
The solder can be used legally in closed circuit heating system, but WaterSafe advises against using the lead material in any household work.
