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10/01/07, 08:05 PM
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What's the best way to locate a water line?
I need to rent a ditchwitch to run some underground electrical conduit and there is a water line in the path but I don't know just where it is. I know in what direction the water line comes from and where it stubs up in the barn but in the path of the water line to the well is a septic system with leech llines. SO I don't know which way around the septic system the waterline runs.
How deep do you think they may have layed the waterline? My conduit is only for about a 50 amp/240 circuit max. I am suppose to bury it 2 feet deep but am thinking of just burying it 1 foot in hopes of not hitting the water line. But still afraid of hitting it.
I don't like digging where there might be something else and don't know where!
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10/01/07, 08:19 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 10,942
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The easy way is to hire a detector and let them find it for you. Another way is to use copper weelding rods and find it yourself. Get rods about 3 feet then bend a samll L shape on one end then hold them loosely in your hand out in front of you and walk across where you thing the water line is. The rods will cross over the water line.
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God must have loved stupid people because he made so many of them.
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10/01/07, 08:41 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: NC/Blue Ridge foothills
Posts: 1,565
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When a geyser appears where you are digging, you can bet you have found the water-line.
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Population keeps on breeding
Nation bleeding, still more feeding economy
Life is funny, skies are sunny
Bees make honey, who needs money, monopoly
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World pollution is no solution
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10/01/07, 08:46 PM
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In Remembrance
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Join Date: May 2002
Location: In beautiful downtown Sticks, near Belleview, Fl.
Posts: 7,102
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Stretch a string line from the source to the output area, humans are very lazy and will follow the easiest pathway.
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If you can read this - thank a teacher. If you can read this in English - thank a veteran.
Never mistake kindness for weakness.
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10/01/07, 08:55 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: MO
Posts: 10,705
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Dont you know any witches?
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10/01/07, 08:57 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Austin-ish, Texas
Posts: 5,000
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The way I have always found them is by chance, when digging a hole for a new fence post 
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"Perhaps I'll have them string a clothesline from the hearse I am in, with my underwear waving in the breeze, as we drive to the cemetary. People worry about the dumbest things!"
by Wendy
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10/01/07, 09:05 PM
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Reverend
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Arkansas/Missouri Border
Posts: 299
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by hillsidedigger
When a geyser appears where you are digging, you can bet you have found the water-line.
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This is what I was going to say. LOL
(Mrs. H)
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10/01/07, 09:16 PM
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Join Date: May 2006
Location: Manitoba, Canada
Posts: 1,110
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by r.h. in okla.
I need to rent a ditchwitch to run some underground electrical conduit and there is a water line in the path but I don't know just where it is. I know in what direction the water line comes from and where it stubs up in the barn but in the path of the water line to the well is a septic system with leech llines. SO I don't know which way around the septic system the waterline runs.
How deep do you think they may have layed the waterline? My conduit is only for about a 50 amp/240 circuit max. I am suppose to bury it 2 feet deep but am thinking of just burying it 1 foot in hopes of not hitting the water line. But still afraid of hitting it.
I don't like digging where there might be something else and don't know where!
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Let's see:
Choice A - dig 2 feet deep, take a chance, hit the waterline. Water spurts. Oh darn.
Choice B - bury electic line 12 inches deep to avoid waterline. Hit electric line next year with spade or tiller. Sparks fly. EMTs show up, followed by hearse.
Any more questions? 
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10/01/07, 09:19 PM
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Reverend
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Arkansas/Missouri Border
Posts: 299
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Just one question....
How cute are the EMTs?
~Mrs. H
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10/01/07, 09:20 PM
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Old Vet
The easy way is to hire a detector and let them find it for you. Another way is to use copper weelding rods and find it yourself. Get rods about 3 feet then bend a samll L shape on one end then hold them loosely in your hand out in front of you and walk across where you thing the water line is. The rods will cross over the water line.
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I've done this method twice before and it worked for me. Only thing was I kind of new just where the line might be and the copper rods confirmed it for me. But this time I really don't have a clue as to where the water line is and not 100 percent positive of my witching. There is also another small UF cable running to the barn. Which won't be needed if I get the bigger circuit installed in the barn.
Mitch, no can do. The well house sets to the west of the house and the barn is straight to the east of the house. The wellhouse is somewhat to the southwest of the house and I figure the waterline path is probably to the south of the house. But it also has to go around the septic tank before it gets to the barn which sets on the southeast side of the house. Just don't know which direction around it they took around the septic!
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10/01/07, 09:30 PM
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You have a good point there "The Paw". That's the reason why we are suppose to bury them deep!
I'm trying to keep from having to run back to town and buy plumbing supplies if I hit the waterline. 25 miles back to town! I guess it would still be cheaper then a lawsuit if someone got electicuted.
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10/01/07, 09:32 PM
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Duh! Yesterday I couldn't spell "Electician", now I is one!
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10/01/07, 09:58 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 50
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a lot of people when they run water lines put a 14 guage wire alongside the pipe to make it easier to locate
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10/01/07, 10:14 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: scott county, virginia
Posts: 845
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try the welding rods or i always just use a coat hanger untwist it and make two wires and bend and L in them and hold them out in front of you one in each hand loosely they will cross when you are over the water line. oh you hold them by the L's the short part in you hands.
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10/01/07, 11:47 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Effingham, Illinois 5b
Posts: 660
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by js2743
try the welding rods or i always just use a coat hanger untwist it and make two wires and bend and L in them and hold them out in front of you one in each hand loosely they will cross when you are over the water line. oh you hold them by the L's the short part in you hands.
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That's always worked for me. You can't loose much but some wire, try it. Point the wire straight ahead of you and they will cross when you cross the line walk slowly.
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I'm from the government and I'm here to help you. 
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10/02/07, 01:22 AM
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Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: West Central Arkansas
Posts: 3,611
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Call the water company. They will come and locate for free. In Ar there is what is called one call and you will be fined if you do not call before you dig and you hit something.
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10/02/07, 07:31 AM
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 584
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Dial 811. It is the nationwide call before you dig number.
http://www.call811.com/
There is state specific information here.
It may take a day or two to get them out there and your "ticket" will be good for a certain length of time.
If lines are missed or marked wrong you are not liable for damages, if you don't have a locate ticket you will be. They will locate all utilities with one call.
Its FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!
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10/02/07, 08:24 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: WI
Posts: 1,245
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I agree with the others about calling someone. In both WI and MN, you call a number 72 hrs before you dig, and they will come out and mark all of your lines. They will do this free (utility companies pay the bill) once per year.
When we moved into new place, I called them to mark all the buried stuff. I then drew a a map for future use. If the need comes for me to dig close to a line on my map, I will call them again, but it is a good guide to keep me away from what is there.
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10/02/07, 08:28 AM
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Join Date: May 2004
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 17,225
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Easy. Just move 600 miles north. We bury water lines about 8 feet here.
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Libertarindependent
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10/02/07, 08:39 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 10,942
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by SDjulieinSC
Dial 811. It is the nationwide call before you dig number.
http://www.call811.com/
There is state specific information here.
It may take a day or two to get them out there and your "ticket" will be good for a certain length of time.
If lines are missed or marked wrong you are not liable for damages, if you don't have a locate ticket you will be. They will locate all utilities with one call.
Its FREE!!!!!!!!!!!! |
The only thing is that she is on a well and not on city water. They will not find well water. They use a map to find the uitilites and don't care if you mess up what you own. On well water you are on your own.
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God must have loved stupid people because he made so many of them.
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