Bury wire pair to locate water line?

[teejk]

Can I infer form this thread that utility locating services cannot find anything buried deeper than 3 feet?

That is a good question!!! I have called "Digger's Hotline" a few times as I was finishing the new house. I don't know how their "wand" works (guessing it's based on some type of current).

 

[MacLawn]

Heheheheheheeee, okay boys, this'll work: cut two 18"-24" pieces of about #12 or so copper wire. Bend into L shape, lightly hold short end of L in each hand parallel, holding hands about 18" apart while walking along - the wires will turn in toward each other when you pass over ye buried pipe. I know, some of y'all boys are going to go into all kinds of scientific mess - hey, this just works. If you do it right, it works.

 

[hosspuller]

A length of wire is cheap insurance buried with the PVC line. While the utility will not locate the water line for you, a private locator will for a nominal cost (less trouble than tearing up your line) Make sure the wire ends are not buried too. The locator will attach a signal generator to the line. He'll be able to easily locate it at 3-4 feet deep.

 

[rustyshakelford]

I know every place is different, but I just asked the elec company about running the water line and elec conduit in the same trench. He said that was fine if I went 48" for elec and 36" for water. For me it's easier to just trench two trenches 36" and be done with it. To keep tabs on it, I'm going to drive rebar in the ground at both ends. When I need to find it, I'll just run a string from point a to point b

Brett

 

[Midniteoyl]

That tape is detectable..

 

[MacLawn]

Well Brett, that'll work for sure. But, I just went outside to again test this copper wire method, and didn't even have decent wire to use. Found my phone, underground wire from electric company to house (under driveway too!) and me water line. And cable company coaxial cable under ground. It's like my Mac - it just works.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

Well Brett, that'll work for sure. But, I just went outside to again test this copper wire method, and didn't even have decent wire to use. Found my phone, underground wire from electric company to house (under driveway too!) and me water line. And cable company coaxial cable under ground. It's like my Mac - it just works.

You bet it works; onliest thing, not everyone has the knack. I have it; I can locate the sewer line in my back yard, and it's about 12 feet deep. It also finds overhead electric lines too; so you have to watch where you are. It won't differentiate between sewer lines, water lines or buried electric lines. I use steel clothes line wire; a green withching stick works for me too.

 

[MacLawn]

Thanks, 2lane, I have the knack for it too, but I just thought it would work for anybody. Yep, it can't distinguish between lines, water, elect., etc., but they sure turn in me old hands. I'm glad you chimed in here. Okay y'all skeptic unbelievers, ye got to give it a try.

 

[DeanKC]

I try to trench in a straight line whenever possible and identify sections (i.e.: pole to pole). Perhaps markers at both sides of your garden could be used to determine the line.

 

[kenmac]

This Pipe and Cable Locator - 800 Series Pipehorn is what I use to locate lines under ground