Locating A water Line

[tomnky]

This question has been looming in this old head for sometime,So here goes!

Are there any proven methods to locate a plastic water line(meter to the house,barn)?

I know this can be accomplished if there is some forethought when burying the same , but, What about after it is already buried and covered up?

I really would like to hear some suggestions on this as I have to locate one sometime before this Spring arrives /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Thanks in Advance,
Tom

 

[Egon]

Backhoes are great machines for locating water lines.

When originaly laid was a metal tracer line installed with the plastic line? If so it can be located.

Is it possible to blow a fish line through and follow with a metal line?

There are those who are said to be able to witch water lines.

What about logical route and locator holes?

Egon

 

[Boondox]

Tom -- I found mine with a backhoe. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif On the plus side, after years of wondering I know exactly where it is! Not something I recommend, though.

Pete

 

[alan40]

Have sombody witch it or dowse it same thing. It works pretty well. I've done a couple of septic systems and a couple locations of water. Don't ask me how it works. They have there own website to try and explain it to you.

 

[tomnky]

The water District tells me there is no way to locate it other than if it is found when the cable is buried next spring as there was no tracer wire buried with it.

However the Manager claims He knows a fellow that can Witch it!

As far as test holes, I would rather not do that as it makes me SICK to think I am going to have the yard dug up ,especially after so much work getting It to where it is now.

All of this for a Yard Lamp /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[Egon]

Perhaps their is a difference in burial depth of the exsiting waterline and , I assume, intended electric for the yard lamp that can be utilized.

Egon

 

[AndyMA]

When I need to locate a plastic water line I shut the water off and then feed a fish tape into the line as far as I can. I have a signal injector that puts a high frequency signal on the fish tape. Using the pickup part of this locating system it is easy to locate the actual path of the pipe. By moving out from the center and watching until the signal drops a certain amount (it may be 3db), the measurement out from center equals the depth of the line. This type of equipment may be available form a local rental shop. Instructions for doing this come with the equipment. I bought the equipment after ripping up one too many wire and pipe.

Andy

 

[bgott]

How deep is the line? I use a probe. Around here the water lines are maybe a foot deep. It helps to start on one end so you can follow the pipe. I really hate having to probe for a line that I don't have a general idea of where it is in the first place, it can wear you out quick having to push that rod into the ground a hundred times to find it.

 

[tomnky]

The conduit for the lamp circuit has to be a minimum of 18 inches ,with the conduit having to be a minimum of 2 inch diameter.So that means at least 20 inches deep.

As far as the water line depth is, I have seen it buried as little as six inches deep up to maybe three feet. So it is anybody's guess how deep it in fact is /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[Egon]

Ah well so be it.

Hopefully some one else will come up with a viable solution.

Egon