I'm looking at buying a foreclosed property where the plumbing has been damaged and some pipes stolen in basement. I had someone tell me that they could do a "lead pack" to connect the main line. I had another person tell me they had to run a new line from the street. Are there any other options? Would it be possible to just enlarge the existing opening to the main line until I get at good pipe and reconnect it with new pipe?

Hi Joe,

Could you tell us more. What kind of piping, copper, PVC?
Supply or drain? Are you saying that some one dug up the piping to the street?

By "lead pack" do you mean a poured and caulked lead and okum joint used to connect two pieces of cast iron pipe together?
Since the line to the street is underground how does your friend know it should be replaced? The pipes that have been stolen in the basement can be replaced with plastic.
I think you're getting bad advice from your friends and the best advice I can give is to have the place inspected for other problems and call in a plumber to let you know how much it would cost to bring the house up to code. Good luck, Tom