Repairing a PVC pipe submerged under water

[Redlands Okie]

Several brands of PVC glue such as those that has been listed will work on wet pipe. Lowes for example has a rain or shine one. Keep in mind it takes a while to cure. Especially the larger the pipe or the higher the pressure. So be sure to let it set a few hours at least.

Shark bites work great but 1 1/2 will be a bit pricey. If you go that route be sure to get the half moon looking release tool for the size you use. The release tools are cheap and allow you to have some flex ability in repairs.

Cutting under water can be done easily with a hand saw or one of the cable cutters. (Abrasive metal line with handles on each end) Sold at many box stores.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Figure a way to get air pressure on it. Olla, leak finds itself.

Ron

 

[Redlands Okie]

Air sounds like a good idea as long as the pressure is kept down. Bubbles or hissing sounds.

 

[Dan Lamb]

Try some AWWA ‘’ American Water Works Association ‘’ compression fittings , spendy but you will never have a problem again , and I would use a ball valve , gate valves are natorius for leaking buy after time , good luck . Dan

 

[Streetcar]

You need to find leak, that will determine repair.
can you build dam around pipe and dry it out. I must be the only one who does not like shark bite fittings, they leak if not installed perfectly square when I used them

 

[Diggin It]

^^ I'm thinking improvise a coffer dam type of thing. Let the mud/silt settle, then shop vac the area dry/drier. Should clear the mud at least so things will be more visible. If there is water flowing from whatever is leaking, it should show.

 

[newbury]

Air sounds like a good idea as long as the pressure is kept down. Bubbles or hissing sounds.

Figure a way to get air pressure on it. Olla, leak finds itself.

Ron

That's the way to do it - doesn't disturb the mud.
Get an end cap for the pipe, drill and install a barbed fitting for an airhose in it. Cut the pipe where convenient, put the end cap on. Pump it up, keep the pressure as low as possible - don't want to shatter the pipe.

Alternatively you could dump some bright colored dye in the pipe and hope to find the leak.
Cut the line somewhere out of the pond where it's dry.

Then repair depends on difficulty. Sharkbite is great.

/more important - WHY is it leaking? If it's old and brittle you might be better off just replacing the entire section.

 

[plowhog]

WHY is it leaking? If it's old and brittle you might be better off just replacing the entire section.

The PVC pipe is 48 years old and likely the gate valve is too. I'm going to investigate further today and will post what I find.

 

[/pine]

If there is a way to introduce it there are inexpensive leak detection dyes that are available...

 

[plowhog]

I have some pond dye from the pond doctor. That stuff is freakish how potent it is. Good suggestion- if I cant' find the leak I will pour a little at the intake.