How to Locate Buried PVC Pipe
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe is a strong plastic pipe that is often used in plumbing and sewer lines. Plumbers and home owners sometimes bury PVC pipe lines in the yard when plumbing or sewer projects are completed. However, PVC pipe does age with time, and as it ages it can crack or break, causing water or sewage leaks. When PVC pipe breaks it is important to locate the pipe underground as quickly as possible so that repairs can be made. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
Inspect and Dig
-
1
Walk around your yard and inspect the surface of the ground. If you suspect a broken PVC sewer or water line, there will most likely be evidence of it in the yard. This can be in the form of sewage collecting above ground or in a pool of water that has no apparent reason for being there.
-
2
Clear away any sewage or water as much as possible.
-
-
3
Dig at the location of the sewage or water leak with a shovel. Do this carefully and slowly, as you do not know how deeply the pipe is buried and if you hit it with your shovel you may do more damage to the pipe than already exists. Dig around it on both sides once you see it so that you can expose the pipe completely. This will allow you to identify and assess the damage.
Follow the Pipe
-
4
Locate the water or sewer lines connected underneath your house. Crawl under the house to see where the water or sewer lines come into your house if necessary.
-
5
Follow the path of the water or sewer line as it goes out into your yard.
-
6
Slowly dig along the water or sewer line, following its path until you locate the section of PVC pipe you are looking for.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
If you find a crack in the pipe, turn off your water and then cut off a small portion of the pipe. Take the PVC pipe to your local hardware or home center store to inquire exactly how to repair the broken pipe section. Repairs are simple and inexpensive for most PVC pipes.
Caution should be used when digging for pipes. In many instances water pipes are buried on the same path as gas line pipes. Therefore, you may want to call your gas company before you dig so that a representative can tell you where the gas lines are buried.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/Photos.com/Getty Images
