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    scaflock's Avatar
    scaflock Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Feb 10, 2008, 06:52 PM
    Locating buried PVC water pipe
    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
    ballengerb1's Avatar
    ballengerb1 Posts: 27,378, Reputation: 2280
    Home Repair & Remodeling Expert
    		  
    #2

    Feb 10, 2008, 07:17 PM
    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?
    scaflock's Avatar
    scaflock Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #3

    Feb 10, 2008, 07:54 PM
    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
    ballengerb1's Avatar
    ballengerb1 Posts: 27,378, Reputation: 2280
    Home Repair & Remodeling Expert
    		  
    #4

    Feb 10, 2008, 07:57 PM
    Plumbing contractors have equipment that picks up the sound of the water rushing out the break, kind of like pricey sonar.
    KISS's Avatar
    KISS Posts: 12,510, Reputation: 839
    Uber Member
    		  
    #5

    Feb 10, 2008, 09:11 PM
    Ground-penetrating radar - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
    Flying Blue Eagle's Avatar
    Flying Blue Eagle Posts: 2,056, Reputation: 225
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    #6

    Feb 10, 2008, 09:31 PM
    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.
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
    		  
    #7

    Feb 11, 2008, 11:40 AM
    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
    scaflock's Avatar
    scaflock Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
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    #8

    Feb 13, 2008, 12:06 AM
    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
    hkstroud's Avatar
    hkstroud Posts: 11,929, Reputation: 899
    Home Improvement & Construction Expert
    		  
    #9

    Feb 13, 2008, 05:03 PM
    Sorry for you troubles and thanks for letting us know the end.
    Flying Blue Eagle's Avatar
    Flying Blue Eagle Posts: 2,056, Reputation: 225
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    #10

    Feb 13, 2008, 10:40 PM
    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.
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