I have a 1 inch galvanized water supply line that's 20 feet long and is about 3 feet below grade. It runs from a well-pit, through the pits cinder block wall, and then on to my house and through the cinder block foundation wall. This pipe is old and leaking and needs to be replaced.

Is the proper replacement procedure to break the wall around the old pipe, remove the old pipe, and then use the vacant hole for the new pipe and then re-cement? Or is the proper procedure to bore a new hole in the cinder block for the new pipe as close as possible to the old pipe? Do you use a hammer-drill for this job? (I've never used one but I thought I heard that's what you use.)

A pipe for the pump motor wires runs parallel to the water pipe with just one inch between the 2 pipes. So I guess if I break up the cement around the water pipe - I would also be breaking the cement around the motor wires pipe, and thus I would actually be cementing 2 pipes back in the wall?


Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Lincolnv - IF you are going to replace the pipe, I would cut the galvanized pipe then push and pull it out threw the cinder block then push the new pipe threw and save some time and money. ( ARE YOU GOING TO REPLACE THE OLD PIPE ALL THE WAY FROM PUMP HOUSE TO IN SIDE THE HOUSE? YOU can drill new holes if you want to ,but if you do, use a 1/2" hammer drill , with a masonary bit!!IF you are running new pipe use ( 1" PVC PIPE ( white plastic ) Drill holes 1/16' to 1/8 " larger then use a good grade a silicone around the pipe inside & outside the walls> Yopu will have to buy a fitting to go on the end inside the house to change over to cpvc pipe or back to galvanized ,wich ever is in the house, NOTE ( I FORGOT TO SAY THAT THE WHITE PLASTIC NEEDS TO BE { schedule - 40 pipe, You can get it in 10' & 20' lengths, The less joints you have the less chance of any leaks. The way I do my glue joints is to take the glue and whipe on the pipe with the brush & wipe back off real quick, put glue inside of the fitting ( LIKE A COUPLEING ) THEN ON THE pipe a couple turns with the brush then stick end of pipe in fitting and give it about a 1/2 turn and hold for a min. <Wipe off the extra glue with a paper towell. I HOPE I HAVE HELPED YOU WITH YOUR PROJECT< IF I HAVE RATE MY ANSWER BELOB GOOD LUCK & GOD BLESS:::: IF I CAN BE OF ANY MORE HELP COME BACK ON THIS POST AND ONE OF US WILL TRY AND HELP MORE >::: F.B.E.

You may find that the pipe goes through the cinder blocks or you may find that it goes under the footer. If it goes through the wall you may find it cemented in or you may find that it is just in a hole through the cinder block. If it goes through the wall, cut and knock out. If necessary enlarge hole so that you can put in a piece of 1 1/2" or 2' PVC as a sleave. Cement it in place. Run your new pipe thru sleave and if necessary caulk to seal. Vibration and movement against the cinder blocks may cause leaks in the future. No need for hammer drill. A 18" piece of black pipe and a 4 lb. sledge hammer will go through cinder block quite easily