What is the easiest way to locate a buried PVC water pipe running from the main house to a detached garage? No pipe location is shown on the house plans so I am assuming that it was added after construction was finished.

I've already dug up half the yard trying to find a broken pipe and have had no luck in finding it.

Scaflock

Where do you live, that may help us determine the depth of the pipe. If its broken aren't you seeing a wet spot in the yard?

I'm Located in central Georgia. We are seeing water in the yard but due to the flatness of the area it's over a very wide area. I have the water to the house turned off to allow it to dry over night and am hoping that I can get a better idea where it's located by turning the water back on and looking for where it gets wet first. I can't think of any other way to find the location at this point.

Scaflock

Plumbing contractors have equipment that picks up the sound of the water rushing out the break, kind of like pricey sonar.

Ground-penetrating radar - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Scaflock - GET you a willow forked stick ( NOT DEAD) or a cherry and try witching it ,you can locate water lines this way, I like using the willow. Another way is to look for water flowing out of the ground ,it may be bubbling, but I have found a lot of broken lines this way also . Have water on when doing this ::: Good luck And GOD BLESS :::: F.B.E.

Why expend all that time and labor tearing up your lawn? If the distance isn't too great why not simply run a new water line? Cheers, Tom

Ok... Well I've found the leak after a lot of digging. It turns out that it's coming from UNDER the slab. Turns out the old owner had added a den/family room off the back of the house and didn't really do it to code. Ran the water feed to a small bath room under the slab instead of through the attic. We've got a MAJOR problem now and it's going to take a pro to get it fixed right. Thanks for all the answers.

Scaflock

Sorry for you troubles and thanks for letting us know the end.

Scaflock - If you can get to both ends and tie in a new line & "T" off for bathroom ,that might save you some money and time, also I think would redo both lines while at it ( THE HOT & COLD , HOPE this helps someway GOOD LUVK & GOD BLESS ::: F.B.E.