I exposed a 3-4 inch section of an underground water line. QUESTION: How certain can I be that there is no leak within 2 or 3 feet of the exposed pipe, if there is no indication that the soil at the exposed pipe is no wetter than any of the soil I removed to expose the pipe? If there is a leak within 2-3 feet, shouldn't I see some water at the exposed section, if I let it sit overnight?
Underground leak
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Mikey
Aspiring Old Fart, EE, computer & networking geek
I wouldn't bet on it. Water is sneaky stuff, and doesn't always flow the way you would expect it to. If you call a commercial leak-detecting outfit (I used Sleuth in Tampa:http://www.sleuthpt.com/leakdetection.htm) they can pinpoint a leak, even under a slab, to within a few inches. Cost me a couple hundred bucks, as I remember, and well worth it.
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Mikey
Aspiring Old Fart, EE, computer & networking geek
I had the impression he knew he had a leak, but didn't know where it was yet.
Alectrician
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Depends on the soil and grade doesn't it?
Keep digging
Keep digging
Verdeboy
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I think the OP needs to backtrack a bit and give us some more detail on his problem.
hj
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leak
Why would he break the concrete until he knew if he had a leak, and where the leak was?
Why would he break the concrete until he knew if he had a leak, and where the leak was?
Verdeboy
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It depends how large the leak is. A pinhole leak will not travel very far underground. A mainline leak will flood your entire yard. What kind of leak do you have? Is it a supply line leak or a drain leak? How do you even know you have a leak? Is your water bill high?
Patrick88
Plumber
I would do that. Then keep checking it till your sure it is ok
Toolaholic
General Contractor Carpenter
Is this copper,old Galvy,plastic? Please give Us as Much info as possible.
Are You in a frost zone 5'deep ,or 18" in Ca.? I would use My torch to dry out what pipe You have exposed all ready. You MAY see where the water is flowing from! Then dig towards that direction. If this helps, please do the following.!
Please some paper in a Salvation Army Kettle. Merry Christmas ,Tool
Are You in a frost zone 5'deep ,or 18" in Ca.? I would use My torch to dry out what pipe You have exposed all ready. You MAY see where the water is flowing from! Then dig towards that direction. If this helps, please do the following.!
Please some paper in a Salvation Army Kettle. Merry Christmas ,
Tool
Jimbo
Plumber
Did I come in in the middle of this story? Did you dig BECAUSE you had a leak? If so, what clues caused you to dig where you did?
It is true that water MAY follow the pipe, because the pipe is laid in disturbed soil, so this may be the easiest path. But if it has been buried for many years, that may not work, and it may go in the other direction!
It is true that water MAY follow the pipe, because the pipe is laid in disturbed soil, so this may be the easiest path. But if it has been buried for many years, that may not work, and it may go in the other direction!
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