How to get gravel out of pipe?

[k0ua]

Here is something I would try.. I cannot guarantee it would work, but it would not be much trouble to try. Get a piece of brake line about 2 foot long, and drop it on top of the 'gravel column" This is to serve as "makup air" conduit. then take your hands and cup over the 3/4 pipe with the regular vacuum hose and try to continue to suck out the gravel. I believe the brake line will let enough air down to the gravel column to create turbulence that the vacuum can then continue to suck out the gravel. Give this a try, and it would only take a few seconds to mess with it to see if it will or not. My next best bet would be the 3/4 hammer drill bit, and let it "eat" a little into the gravel and then yank it back rapidly to continue letting the spiral flutes push the materiel to the surface. Good luck and let us know how it all works out.

James K0UA

 

[MossRoad]

Or, just pound the pipe down into the floor and pound a new one right in over it. That works too, unless there is no concrete under it. Easy enough to try with one or two swings you could see if it moves. If it does, just drive it right down. Hopefully the rocks will go with it.

Or, tap it a few times with a sledge hammer. If it moves easily, put an easy out in it and take it right out.

Or put a piece of rebar into the pipe and whack it with a sledge to crush the rocks. Compressed air to blow the bits out. Repeat.

But having done this many times over the years of working at the airport, I have to repeat... the easiest and simplest way is to take a hammer drill with a masonry bit and run it down the pipe. Been there done that many, many times.

Good luck. :thumbsup: