Underground hose extension

[Michigan_Mike]

My garden is about 200 feet away from the nearest water faucet.
For the past few years, I've dragged garden hoses out there, but each time I mow the lawn, I have to pick them up, then put them back. Hauling 200+ feet of hose is getting to be a hassle.

I want to put something underground, and I'm thinking of using pipe, similar to an underground sprinkler system, but with hose adapters on each end. As this pipe will cross the septic line near the house, I won't be able to bury it below the frost line.

So, I have two questions.
First, has anyone done something like this?
Second, what would I need to "blow out" the water in the fall? It seems that a regular compressor wouldn't provide enough volume.

 

[surfran]

I use a normal air compressor to blow out my seasonal cottage every year. I bought a hose to NPT adaptor then adapted the NPT fittings down to the size for the Air compressor quick coupling. I screw the adaptor on my house end, plug in the Air Compressor pressurize to about 50 lbs and go start opening faucets 1 at a time until I am all done. Takes me about 1 1/2 - 2 hours but its a 14x70 mobile home with 2 bathrooms, laundry room, 30 gallon hot water tank and kitchen.

I use the same adaptor at home whenever I need to work on a water line to blow it out prior, or to flush out the hot water heater periodically.

I think you should be able to do what you are thinking without any issues.

 

[CTyler]

You wont have to blow it out if you can put some slope into it.
All you need to to have the water run to the low side. Place a oneway(drain valve) on the low side with some pea/raod gravel. When under pressure it will hold, when the pressue drops, turn off the water, the valve will drain.

I did this many years ago, its just a screw on plastic fitting with a rubber flap. Looks like a end cap with a few holes. I used 3/4 white PVC.

 

[JerryG]

Why don't you just put it in below the septic line?

 

[Michigan_Mike]

Thanks for the reply.
I didn't think that a regular compressor would do the job.
Just goes to show how much I don't know. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

I'll start looking for the pieces as soon as I finish planting trees this spring.

 

[Michigan_Mike]

I thought of that, but it would mean a LOT of excavation in a very small area. Not enough room for anyting but a hand shovel. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[KiotiJohn]

Try digging up to a point where you then take a water hose and using water pressure bore under the septic line. You can make a pretty good sized hole that way, and then run your piping under the septic line, resume digging on the other side where you have room. John

 

[Tim_in_IA]

That's a great idea! I will be running a water line under my septic line this year as well. I was just going to hand dig when I got close but I like the water idea. Does it have to be a pressure washer or would a regular spray head or garden hose pressure be adequate?

 

[BigEddy]

I'm lazy - I just buried a rubber garden hose about 6" under and brought it up to a tap on a stake at the far end. In the fall, I disconnect it from the house tap and open the far end. Figure the rubber can expand and contract as needed. It's been there for years and hasn't broken yet.

I do usually turn it off at the wall when I'm done using it, just in case, but many times I forget (and the kids never remember!)

 

[KiotiJohn]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( That's a great idea! I will be running a water line under my septic line this year as well. I was just going to hand dig when I got close but I like the water idea. Does it have to be a pressure washer or would a regular spray head or garden hose pressure be adequate? )</font>
All I've ever had to use is a hose with the handless sprayer on it. You know, that type that you twist to turn on? I've even done it without any sparyer on it, pushing the hose end into the dirt and letting it wash it away. John