Outside undergroung leak


  #1  
Old 02-14-05, 01:09 AM
wook
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Question Outside underground leak

We have a leak in an outside, underground waterline. I am looking for any suggestions on how the repair or replace it. The hard part has been done, as we have found the leak, dug up the pipe and exposed the leak. The leak is so bad at the current time we are keeping the water shut off unless it is needed. Any suggestions would be helpful. Can we just cut out the guilty section of pipe and replace it, or do we need to replace the entire line? The leak is in a 1" galvanized pipe about 4' underground, near an elbow joint in the pipe. Again, any help would be gratefully accepted before we dole out cash for a plumber we can't afford right now at this time.

Thanks,
Waterless in Wichita
Sherri (wook)
 

Last edited by wook; 02-14-05 at 10:11 PM. Reason: spelling
  #2  
Old 02-14-05, 04:37 AM
majakdragon's Avatar
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wook, Welcome to the DIY Forums.
Replacing a section of the bad pipe would merely be a temporary "band-aid". Galvanized pipe that has been installed underground starts deteriorating immediately. With the advent of plastic pipe, galvanized is hardly used anymore.
If the pipe has a leak in the middle of a section, you have to realize how bad the pipe is at any fitting. When pipe is threaded it reduces the thickness by almost half. While patching the pipe, any movement at a joint is likely to start a leak at the joint.
I know this is not what you wanted to hear however, thats a fact. Good luck.
 
 

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