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Finding burried waterlines

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bobby

04-14-2000 05:39:26

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I need to tie on to my existing water supply line that runs through my yard. I know aproximately where it is at maybe within 10 feet or so.I've heard old timers talk about ways of locating water
lines but I don't know how.Does anyone have any suggestions? thanks.(p.s. the existing line is pvc pipe.)

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BOBBY

04-26-2000 10:05:45

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Re: finding burried waterlines in reply to bobby, 04-14-2000 05:39:26

THANKS FOR ALL THE RESPONSES,NOTHING I TRIED SEEMED TO WORK, BUT THE DITCH WITCH OPERATOR FOUND IT ON THE FIRST PASS. WHAT A MESS.

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Salmoneye

04-14-2000 15:59:57

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Re: finding burried waterlines in reply to bobby, 04-14-2000 05:39:26

Thought I was the only one who still believed in dowsing! I have tried and can not do it, but I have an Uncle that can! I have literally seen him 'sucked' into a swimming pool! Another time he was doing a well, and the branch cut him deeply. Bled a lot. Incidently, around here they use 'new' Apple fork.

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B.C.

04-17-2000 07:01:06

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Re: Re: finding burried waterlines in reply to Salmoneye, 04-14-2000 15:59:57

People have tried to explain or disprove dowsing (or divining or witching) and they can't. It is observable but scientifically unexplainable. At least, I never heard of anybody coming up with a valid explanation of it, the way you calculate the deflection of a beam, or come up with a chemical formula to do whatever.

But it probably means that you were a farm kid rather than a city kid if you know what people mean when they talk about it.

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bbott

04-14-2000 11:55:28

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Re: finding burried waterlines in reply to bobby, 04-14-2000 05:39:26

Have done this myself with a willow branch. Try the following for yourself (it's cheap)..

Get a willow branch with a natural fork, and trim it to the shape of a wishbone... about 12 to 24" on the long ends of the fork and leave about 6" on the 'pointer'

Cut the ends of the 'fork' on a diagonal so you can get better contact area with your body.

Wrap your fingers loosely around each fork toward the ends and put your thumbs over the exposed ends.. (thumbs turned in).. hold the wishbone out level in front of you and flex the arms of the 'wishbone' inward just a little.

Now relax and walk across where you think your water line is...

I've had the branch virtually twist the bark off in my hands.. Handed the branch to other people tried same spot... Nothing !

I'm a scientific person (and skeptic) by nature.. I have NO explanation of why this works and I wouldn't believe it unless I'd experienced it myself ! There's an old timer around here who's in great demand for this skill.. I think he's 'brought in' something like 600 wells with almost no failures..

bbott

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Dr. JK

04-14-2000 09:22:45

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Re: finding burried waterlines in reply to bobby, 04-14-2000 05:39:26

Witching works quite well with just a couple of 2 foot lengths of heavy fencing wire with a 90 degree bend at 6 inches from the end. Hold the short bend loosely in each hand and about as far apart as the width of your chest. With elbows at your side point the ends straight forward and ever so slightly downward. Begin where you know how the line runs and cross it at 90 degrees. Mark the spot when the wires cross. Repeat this from the other side of the line and you'll see the wires cross in about the same spot. Stake this spot and repeat tis procedure on down the line with stakes. When you get to where you want to dig you can look back down the line and see a fairly straight row of stakes if all has gone well. Be sure to call the local diggers hotline!

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Tyler(WA) with a smart alek answer...

04-14-2000 08:48:23

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Re: finding burried waterlines in reply to bobby, 04-14-2000 05:39:26

Just get a backhoe and go for it! You should find that water line in the first bucket or two. It worked on our street twice last year. We were without water for both afternoons as the contractor made repairs.

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B.C.

04-16-2000 09:15:24

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Re: Re: finding burried waterlines in reply to Tyler(WA) with a smart alek answer..., 04-14-2000 08:48:23

That works even better for fiber optic lines. It's best done on main trunk lines for the phone companies.

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Dick L

04-15-2000 04:51:14

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Re: Re: finding burried waterlines in reply to Tyler(WA) with a smart alek answer..., 04-14-2000 08:48:23

Yup, Tyler I got those tooth thingies on my backhoe bucket and I find all sorts of things. waterlines, phone lines, electric lines, and other things that was to be underground for keeps.

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Redneck

04-14-2000 17:54:57

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Re: Re: finding burried waterlines in reply to Tyler(WA) with a smart alek answer..., 04-14-2000 08:48:23

Glad you posted this Tyler, I was having a tough time resisting.

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Subsoilers work real good!

04-14-2000 21:36:49

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Re: Re: Re: finding burried waterlines in reply to Redneck, 04-14-2000 17:54:57

A 7 tine subsoiler will hang on steel water line and pull the tractor in another direction. I know, trust me. TRUST ME I know.

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RonMC

04-15-2000 00:23:14

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Re: Re: Re: Re: finding burried waterlines in reply to Subsoilers work real good!, 04-14-2000 21:36:49

Hi - The "just dig" thing hasn't found me any water lines, but I hit natural gas one day with my backhoe - that was exciting for the first 10 seconds !!!

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B.C.

04-18-2000 05:52:24

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Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: finding burried waterlines in reply to RonMC, 04-15-2000 00:23:14

It's always good to call before you dig. Considering what some have had happen within the first 10 seconds, you're lucky.

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John C.

06-07-2000 13:04:42

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Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: finding burried waterlines in reply to B.C., 04-18-2000 05:52:24

Lots of people can accurately locate buried pipes,metal or plastic or concrete with 2 12" pieces of #10 copper wire,stripped from romax home wiring,2" bend on one end of each,held loosely parallel to ground,walk slowly,wait for wires to swing 90',look down between wires and mark spot.I always keep wires in my pickup. Works better than expensive detectors.

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big fred

04-14-2000 10:40:58

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Re: Re: finding burried waterlines in reply to Tyler(WA) with a smart alek answer..., 04-14-2000 08:48:23

That's the system my neighbor used. With the rain and runoff we have, he didn't know his water line was broke until his wife told him they didn't have any pressure. Got to spend a weekend of quality time with a shovel and mud.

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Bryan

04-14-2000 08:10:10

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Re: finding burried waterlines in reply to bobby, 04-14-2000 05:39:26

Give witching a try , you'll be surprised . Most people can do it . I use 2 pieces of gas welding rod , can be brass or iron. Bent about 6in on one end at 90 degrees of handle . Hold in front of you ,level ,long ends pointing in front . Hold arms bout 1-2 ft apart. Walk slowy across yard , rods will cross as you go over water line. You can try it on a gardern hose to test it . Pretty amazing . Think Northern Hydrualics used to sell a fancy set , had handles ,brgs etc , but homemade works fine . Good luck , enjoy new toy!

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B.C.

04-14-2000 06:06:59

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Re: finding burried waterlines in reply to bobby, 04-14-2000 05:39:26

Well there used to be people who could dowse or divine water and water pipes. There are stories about that.

One version went like, take two brass weld filler rods. Bend 90 degree handholds at the ends. Walk forward with the rod lengths held horizontal and parallel. If you've got the ability, the rods will cross when you walk over the water. I've seen people do it.

Another version involved a cherry fork, cut fresh from a cherry tree. It was held horizontal. When it was carried over water it would dip. Some say that the fork would rip itself out of a person's hands if they were sitting in a car and driven over a bridge crossing a river. My granddad claimed that the guy who dowsed our well had the thing dip 80 times, and they found water at 81 feet. Had to allow for the length of the drill bit.

This is some weird stuff. Shovels and patience work more reliably, and for anyone with the strength and ambition to use them.

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04-14-2000 06:01:22

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Re: finding burried waterlines in reply to bobby, 04-14-2000 05:39:26

Bobby: You said you know within 10 feet of where the line is so check a 10 foot strip at 90 degrees to that known line for softer soil. If it was a slit trench it will be harder to detect. If it was a 2 foot backhoed trench it should be easier and mixed soil backfilled will also tip you off as to location. I have a brother who can witch 4 water of any kind like that but isn't easy to talk to. You can try water witching if its free. h

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