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plumbing

Running a water line

John F Dean

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posted 5 years ago

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I need to run a 3/4 inch water line under a concrete sidewalk. My thought is to get a 3 ft length of 1 1/4 inch pipe and put a high pressure water hose inside it to tunnel through the soil. Opinions?

The First Axiom of Life: Don’t do dumb things.

Joe Hallmark

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posted 5 years ago

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Years ago my dad had a landscaping co / garden center. When we were installing sprinkler systems we ran across this quite often and used a similar technique to what your talking about. We made a hollow rod with water hose connections on both ends and put a metal jet nozzle on the end. A bit messy but works great

Arthur Angaran

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posted 5 years ago

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Hi, it depends on the soil conditions. Clay, sand, rock? They make tips for hoses for this. Or a pressure washer - gas or electric, or a steel pipe with a cutting bit and sledge hammer. One time there was so much rock I cut the concrete out and filled it back in. A 4lb mallet and chisel is not fun on really hot days.

John F Dean

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posted 5 years ago

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I am dealing with clay soil. I have several pressure washers. My idea is to use the pipe as a guide and insert the wand through it. I am thinking this should control the splash and the hole size.

The First Axiom of Life: Don’t do dumb things.

thomas rubino

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Hi John;
I think your method will be messy but "should" work.
If it were me I would rent a gas powered cutter and cut a slot thru your concrete , install your water line and pour concrete back over.
Fast and less mess.

Also whatever way you use , be sure to slip your 3/4" thru a larger hard pipe( schedule 40) to make access a breeze down the road 20 years from now.

For all your Montana Masonry Heater parts (also known as) Rocket Mass heater parts.
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John F Dean

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Hi Thomas,

What I did not explain is that I am 30 miles from the rental. To pick up and drop off ... that is 120 miles. I have a hunch the pressure washer will get me under the sidewalk in the time it would take to travel the first 30 miles.

The First Axiom of Life: Don’t do dumb things.

John F Dean

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I just read the rest of your post and am kicking myself. I always put in a larger hole ....normally a 4 inch pipe....for the reasons you state. This time I didn’t even consider it. Yes, I will try for a larger hole.

The First Axiom of Life: Don’t do dumb things.

Arthur Angaran

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Location: Tip of the Mitt, Michigan

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Hi, Sometimes clay can be hard as rock and will not cut with a nozzel. If that happens then cutting the concrete may be your only option. With a circular saw and a cement blade, make lots of cuts like putting a notch in wood. Make it extra wide, break the slots. Then steppind down inside the first notch, cut the slab again and break the notch, and once more. You should have broken through by then. Don't burn up your saw, pace it out, unless you need the water right now.

Question = since the water line is near the surface, did you plan for drainage so it doesn't freeze and break?

Happy drilling

John F Dean

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I see you are from Michigan. I lived in Detroit some time ago. I now sit, latitude wise, south of Frankfort, Ky. My frost line is 18 inches. I am putting the line in at 24 inches.

The First Axiom of Life: Don’t do dumb things.

John C Daley

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Sitting here in Australia and seeing you blokes speak of frost lines etc is amazing!
We dont have those concerns here, just snakes, giant kangaroos, giant goannas, crocodiles n stuff like that.
Plus 46 degree celcius sometimes.

John Daley Bendigo, Australia The Enemy of progress is the hope of a perfect plan
Benefits of rainfall collection https://permies.com/t/88043/benefits-rainfall-collection
GOOD DEBT/ BAD DEBT https://permies.com/t/179218/mortgages-good-debt-bad-debt

thomas rubino

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Ha Ha john;
And we have Grizzly bears , rattle snakes, Bull moose and minus 40F
Sounds Scary and Hot down there...

My choice is dig a deep water line and yours is to bask in the sunshine (while the denizens of the outback sneak up on you!

For all your Montana Masonry Heater parts (also known as) Rocket Mass heater parts.
Visit me at
dragontechrmh.com Once you go brick you will never go back!

John C Daley

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