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RJOPR · Apr 14, 2007, 11:11 AM

I need to move a full bath in my basement. However, the sewer line can take one of two routes to one of two streets both having sewer mains.

I have no telltale outside vents or cleanouts that I have been able to locate.

What's the best way, before I start destroying concrete, to locate the sewer line?

Thanks,

RJ

speedball1 · Apr 14, 2007, 01:58 PM

As a rule a plumber will look at a job and think, "How would I have roughed this job in?" We can come pretty close that way. Failing that I would try to locate where the sewer exits the house and work back from there.
How low do you figure the sewer is? Can you dig a lateral trench and locate it that way? How about a prob rod? Or you could get someone out there with a pipe locater,( if the pipes are metal) that will tell you exactly where the pipes are under the cement. Good luck, tom

speedball1 · Apr 16, 2007, 04:08 PM

Then my friend, You must confuse real easy! I don't kinow how much more I can "dumb" it down for you but if you will tell me what part confuses you I'll give it a try. Do you know what the word "lateral trench" means? Any idea what a "prob rod" is?
I thought this was pretty much self-explainatory, " you could get someone out there with a pipe locater,( if the pipes are metal) that will tell you exactly where the pipes are under the cement."
Do you wish it explained farther? We are here to help. If you're confused let us help you. Regards, Tom

ThomasCKeat · Apr 16, 2007, 06:15 PM

Originally Posted by RJOPR

I need to move a full bath in my basement. However, the sewer line can take one of two routes to one of two streets both having sewer mains.

I have no telltale outside vents or cleanouts that I have been able to locate.

What's the best way, before I start destroying concrete, to locate the sewer line?

Thanks,

RJ

Go to your hall of records in your town and get the blue prints of your home if available

letmetellu · Apr 16, 2007, 08:07 PM

Originally Posted by RJOPR

I need to move a full bath in my basement. However, the sewer line can take one of two routes to one of two streets both having sewer mains.

I have no telltale outside vents or cleanouts that I have been able to locate.

What's the best way, before I start destroying concrete, to locate the sewer line?

Thanks,

RJ

Some times a plumber can run his sewer machine through the sewer line and someone on the outside of the house can listen in different areas to see if they can find a noise that the sewer cable would make inside the sewer line. To help with this is to use a length of metal rod about three feet long and 3/8's in diameter to punch into the ground at different places around the house to help hear the noise. Good Luck.

verityinspects · May 25, 2009, 06:33 PM

I had the same problem. I have pvc pipe and it snaked around the basement before exiting the foundation line. I purchased a security allarm. The small ones for personal use that can be found at travel stores. When you pull the pin all heck breaks loose with a loud peircing sound. We taped the allarm to the end of an electrical fish tape (long steel tape to fish electrical wireing through walls.) We then listened with a stethascope and marked the concrete as we went along. We were able to track the whole 75' line with out error.

Jeff Achterberg
Verity Inspections
Ocean Isle Beach NC

Please excuse spelling on last answer, did not see the spell check button.

Milo Dolezal · May 25, 2009, 07:11 PM

Sewer will enter City Sewer on one street only, not on two sides. It will be the side your house address lists your house at. Also, you can go to Department of Street Maintenance or Department of Sanitation. They will tell you exactly where it is and how deep it is at the curb.( In my area, this info is now available on the web).

Good luck. Milo

rdrunr · Feb 19, 2012, 04:47 PM

If you are in Michigan you can call Arbor East Locating, www.arboreast.com We find private lines only.
The best way is to run a fish tape or sewer cable as far as you can, then tone it with a pipe locator.
Some metal pipes the signal just bounces around in and can't be found at the surface, that's why multi-frequency locators are used today, Plan on spending $4500.00 for a good locator.
If someone other than my wannabe competitors, wants to know how to successfully find hard to find pipes, write and I will tell you some secrets.. They haven't figured it out yet, so if in Michigan call me, and save all the grief.