by ForcedOnline - Doug Force
Professional plumber repairs underground water line using air compressor to locate leak and proper pipe replacement techniques.
Learn professional techniques for repairing an underground leaking main water line. Covers leak detection using air compression, pipe repair with root-prevention methods, and proper backfilling techniques for long-lasting results.
Turn off the water to the house and connect an air compressor to a hose spigot. Pressurize the line to about 60 PSI to make it easy to locate the leak.
Walk around the yard where it's wet from the leak. Look for bubbles coming up in the ground - that's where your hole is located.
Use shovels to dig down to the water line, typically about 2 feet deep. Be careful not to damage the pipe further. Turn water back on to confirm the exact leak location.
Use a manual siphon pump to remove water from the hole. Use a reciprocating saw to cut out the damaged section of pipe and any roots growing into it.
Turn water back on at the street and let it flush out the section of pipe before the repair area. This prevents debris from entering the house faucets or water heater.
Use elbows on each end of the replacement pipe to raise it up about a foot. This gets the pipe off tree roots and removes tension from the line.
Install 45-degree fittings instead of straight L-to-L connections. This removes tension on the line from tree roots and helps joints last longer.
Pour about a quarter container of salt into the hole around the repair. This creates an environment that discourages tree roots from growing back toward the pipe.
Fill the hole three quarters of the way with sand instead of dirt. Sand supports the pipe, allows some movement if needed, and is easier to dig out for future repairs.
Use the remaining dirt to finish backfilling, then replace the sod to restore the lawn to its original condition.
