To find an underground waste pipe, you need to use an underground pipe locator that can pinpoint its location based on its material, such as plastic, steel, or PVC. The best method is to use RTK; if you can't buy one, you can opt for RTK rental services.
You may have access to as-built drawings or other documents showing where utility lines are located. You can also use indicators like above-ground utility boxes and meters. Use a Metal Detector: This can help detect some types of underground pipes and wires.
You can either contact your local council and ask them for the plan associated with your property or you can contact a drainage expert who will conduct a CCTV drainage survey to get an accurate map of your drains.
Your home's sewer cleanout is a crucial part of your plumbing system. You'll usually find it outside, about 1 to 3 feet from where your house meets the ground. Look for a pipe sticking up with a cap on top that might have a square knob or notch for turning.
Wire and Pipe Finder is a free Android app developed by One Spire that can detect AC live wires, copper, pipes, metal objects underground, floor, and inside the walls. The app is perfect for those who want to drill into walls but don't want to take the risk of damaging electrical wires and pipes.
The easiest way to find underground pipes is by using RTK-enabled devices. These devices can pinpoint the location of several types of pipes, from water to oil pipes, with centimeter-level precision.
-Underground water detector mobile app is an easy water leak detector and easy Scan Water Leak Detector A simple water finder This apps transforms any Android into a genuine water identifier to discover water around you, just hold level and follow the needle & This water detection sensor gives you a comprehensive ...
Tracer wire or locator wire: If you're wondering how to find underground plastic pipes, tracer wires are the most common way. They work by attaching the tracer wire to one of your existing lines, such as a sewer or water line, and then walking along your entire property with your metal detector.
Most of the time, the sewer line will be sticking out of the ground and easy to spot; however, overgrown landscaping or objects close to the house could hide the cap. Or, you could have a buried sewer cleanout. Try searching on the side of the home that is closest to the main floor bathroom.
The best option is to use a pipe locator to trace the pipe. Mark it above ground with stakes and/or flags. This will help you to be very precise when you dig. It is also a good idea to locate other utilities that may be running through the same section of ground.
Underground utility locator tools
Sewer line locator tools are undoubtedly the most accurate of the other methods listed above. One of the most popular tools that can be used is the Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) locator tool. GPR has the ability to identify most pipes or utility line materials.
Using a pipe locator is one of the most reliable methods to find your home's sewer line. This device is a specialized tool designed to detect underground pipes, including sewer lines. Here's how to use it. Ensure the pipe locator is properly calibrated and set for sewer line detection.
The depth at which main gas lines are installed usually depends on the area's coding regulations. However, they are typically installed 24 inches deep. On the other hand, natural gas lines are usually only buried 18 inches underground.
Use a drain bladder/ball bag
After it's filled with water, the bladder will deliver a huge flow through the pipe, breaking up and flushing away the clog. A ball bag has to be used carefully, though – and we wouldn't recommend it if you have old pipes, as the high pressure might cause more harm than good.
For indoor main drains, you will likely find the cleanout in a bathroom or utility area. When dealing with a bathroom location, check the floor near the toilet. In this scenario, it might be a pipe protruding from the floor or it might be flush mounted into the floor. These main drains tend to have a threaded plug.
You will likely pay around $350 to $650 to have a plumber unclog a main sewer line unless you have complications like serious damage to the line.
For instance, residential sewer line depth ranges from 18 to 30 inches. However, city sewer line depths are different. Your city's sewer lines must always be deeper than the deepest residential pipe to allow waste to flow downhill. As such, these lines can go as deep as needed.
To find the drains on your property, consult with your local council to search for the drainage plans for your property based on the age of your property. A CCTV drain survey can also map and record the drainage system on your property if you are unable to find property deeds.
Ground probing radar (GPR) has been developed specifically for locating small objects at relatively shallow depths. Used properly GPR can be effective in detecting buried PE pipes through collecting transects perpendicular to the assumed direction of the PE pipe.
Dig-up test results in the U.S. and around the world indicate that PVC pipe can be expected to provide reliable service in excess of 100 years.
Finding underground water has become easier to find
Hydro Tracker device is equipped with a special unit to purify the signal, measure soil temperature and humidity, and send it to a high-performance data processor that gives the device the ability to complete the search process with accurate results at high speed.
To determine if there's water under your property before digging a well, the most reliable method is to consult local geological data from your state geological survey or USGS, which can provide information about the water table depth in your area; you can also look for visible signs like nearby springs, wet areas, ...
Pipeline finder app can help you: Find the location of pipelines operated by Marathon Pipe Line LLC.