What is the best way to repair a 3" or 4" buried pipe? I am looking for the details of dealing with a break in the pipe, where the two ends are stationary. This should be the same as any underground tie-in. What is the best method?
With new plumbing, you put glue or screw one piece onto the existing piece and work out, but with a buried 3" or 4" pipe, the ends are fixed--I can't slip anything on to glue it or screw it on.
1. using two couplings and a length of pipe, as I have done with 3/4 inch lawn sprinkler PVC, seems impractical because I can't bend the 4" pipe. Can I cut the stop out of a standard coupling, slip it over one side, then center it?
2. telescopic or extender couplings, split pipe couplings, and similar, if available for large diameter pipe, seem like gimmicks or compromises
3. how about gasketed repair couplings? Or a union? Or rubber couplings that use hose clamps or a stainless clamp? I worry about the rubber deteriorating over time.
What is the best way to tie into the plumbing for a permanent underground repair? The pressure is not high--just a few PSI.
The break is on a 3" pipe. Can I cut the stop out of a standard coupling, slip it over one side, then center it?
2. telescopic or extender couplings, split pipe couplings, and similar, if available for large diameter pipe, seem like gimmicks or compromises
3. how about gasketed repair couplings? Or a union? Or rubber couplings that use hose clamps or a stainless clamp? I worry about the rubber deteriorating over time.
What is the best way to tie into the plumbing for a permanent underground repair? The pressure is not high--just a few PSI.
The break is on a 3" fire hydrant pipe that comes off my pool (9 ft deep), runs underground, then comes up with a 3" galvanized standpipe with a fire fitting. The pipe from the pool is PVC and the standpipe is galvanized steel set in a concrete block. I don't know exactly where the transition is as it is under water right now--the break is below the pool water level. The pipe is often often under water for months during the rainy season as the water table comes up quite high. It has been in place for 10 years--I don't know whether the galvanized pipe could have rusted that fast.
I isolated the leak (not sure if it is the only one!), about 4 ft underground and close to the standpipe. I need to block the pipe at the bottom of the pool or drain the pool level then pump the hole out to see the break and pipe clearly.
What do you recommend?
Thanks
