How to get gravel out of pipe?

[Pilot]

Aren't 3 year olds wonderful?

Vertical pipe, maybe 3/4 inch I.D. sticking 5" out of the ground. 3 yr. old grandson filled it with gravel in the 30 seconds when I wasn't watching. I should have know--he likes to stick rocks into things.

The pipe is kind of important. It's at the airport and holds the hangar door open. A section of rebar is supposed to drop down into the pipe from the hangar door and should sink down at least 10". Doesn't work any more...Can't fly any more until I fix this so the door will stay open to move the plane in and out.

So how to get crushed 3/4 minus gravel out of this pipe?

 

[ray66v]

If the pipe in the ground is thick enough walled, you could probably use a hammer drill to clean it out.

Otherwise, I would cut or break it off, at the slab or ground, drill it out, and replace it.

I am sure you know, lots of bad things can happen to children at airports. Even in 30 seconds.

 

[Tig]

Drill a hole low in the pipe and try to blast it out with compressed air?
Wear eye protection if this idea seems worth trying.

 

[msb1766]

How about a shop vac.

 

[forgeblast]

I was thinking shop vac also, or a set of tongs.

 

[aczlan]

I would try a shopvac. If that doesn't work on its own, adapt it down to a 12" piece of 1/2" OD pipe and use that to suck the pieces out.

Aaron Z

 

[tonycrow]

I have cleaned out those pipes with a long flat screwdriver, slow work, but it works.

 

[LD1]

I would try a shopvac. If that doesn't work on its own, adapt it down to a 12" piece of 1/2" OD pipe and use that to suck the pieces out.

Aaron Z

:thumbsup:

Thats what I would try.

Even if it doesnt "suck-up" the gravel into the shop-vac, a decient one should have enough vacuum to "ctick" the rocks to the end like a magnet. Pull it out, knock them off, and go again.

 

[brin]

I would try a shopvac. If that doesn't work on its own, adapt it down to a 12" piece of 1/2" OD pipe and use that to suck the pieces out.

Aaron Z

Aaron...your suggestion will work ...I have done it..the key is to adapt the shop vac hose down to a 12 inch piece of 1/2" od pvc and it concentrates the sucking action..it will lift the gravel right out if it is a good shop vac.

 

[kenmac]

How about a shop vac.

When I had my pool built they got gravel in the pvc pipe and used shop vac to get it out

 

[2LaneCruzer]

When I had my pool built they got gravel in the pvc pipe and used shop vac to get it out

Then there's the high pressure air hose...be sure to wear your safety glasses!

 

[Lou66]

Shopvac, air pressure, water jets,, come on men the only real way to get that gravel out is to take six steps to the east tunnel down 6 ft. then tunnel west for 8 ft. given yourself plenty of room to tunnel up.. 2ft and 2 inches,, climb out of the tunnel .. go back to the plugged pvc door rebar holder and attach a 750 mobile air diesel compressor with full 2 inch reduced to ¾ inch hook up. When the pressure builds to 175 psig throw the 90 degree valve wide open forcing the gravel from the pipe into the tunnel.. Shutdown and Disconnect the air blaster piping and check for rock removable,, back fill the tunnel,, job complete,, also I could come up with a plans for some explosives,, let me know.. Lou

 

[BIG DOOLEY]

How about a shop vac.

Had a similarissue with yard gates and the shop vac was perfect for the job.
every year...

 

[IslandTractor]

How about bubblegum on a stick? Get it out one rock at a time. Great job for a guilty 3yo.

 

[/pine]

You might find some sort of adhesive (something really sticky like pine tar etc.) and a stick and lift them out one at a time...

 

[creekbend]

When I was younger, I used to help a friend of mine who had a Stucco business. On one job, the drywall crew got mad at the electricians and put marbles in the electrical PVC pipe. The electrical crew just attached a Shop Vac to the pipe, sealed the connection with duct tape to provide a better vacuum, and all the marbles came out.

 

[aczlan]

The problem with using a vacuum is (to be effective) there needs to be a source of air with enough volume underneath to lift the stones

Hence my idea of reducing it to a 1/2" OD pipe...

Aaron Z

 

[/pine]

Hence my idea of reducing it to a 1/2" OD pipe...

Aaron Z

Sorry, I did not read every reply suggesting vacuum thoroughly...you made a viable suggestion that would probably work...

 

[BIG DOOLEY]

reverse the setup
solid bar in the ground with the pipe on the door.
Fix it right.

 

[/pine]

reverse the setup
solid bar in the ground with the pipe on the door.
Fix it right.

The OP did not state where the "pipe" is in relation to the door opening...if it's wide open and against the wall that would be OK but IMO the pipe in the ground just barely above flush with grade is the safest application...rebars sticking up create a hazard just about anywhere...JMO