krizz90
New Member
Hi Folks,
First time poster here but I have a special project that requires some input from the experts here.
Background on me: Intermediate DIY enthusiast. I say enthusiast because I am not afraid to screw things up and end up spending more time and money as part of the learning process, whereas I know some DIY folks just want to save money. I've got some plumbing experience inside, but haven't dealt much with the outer pipes yet aside from one fix noted below.
Background on the issue: The water 1" PVC line into my house (built 2003) after the meter keeps popping holes. I first noticed the issue about a year ago, paid a plumber to come out, they did some digging, and patched 3 different holes. They recommended I replace the whole line, which I did not have the resources to do at that time. 6 months ago, another big leak developed out there. I dug it up and fixed myself and replaced a 10' section including the area with the leak with PEX pipe with sharkbite connections to the PVC. Now it is leaking again from a different spot, obviously it just needs to be totally replaced at this point.
The weird mystery: My neighbor pointed out my leak yesterday, and noted he just developed his own leak AT THE SAME TIME. That seems too coincidental, no? We definitely have separate leaks because the butterflies on both our meters are spinning and they are coming from different places in the yard. He noted he has also had a recurring issue with leaks in his pipe coming in. My guess is we have defective PVC pipes, but since they break at the same time, I'm guessing water pressure may also be to blame? Neither he nor I have a pressure regulator installed. That's the only explanation I can think of that our pipes develop leaks at the exact same time.
My either crazy or brilliant DIY fix ideas:
Aside from install a pressure regular right after the meter, to take care of the pressure issue whether or not that turns out to be part of the problem. These are my thoughts on fixing.
Least crazy idea: Dig up and replace entire water line into house with PEX. Existing pipe it about 3-4 feet under ground and goes close to 100ft, so it would likely take me all weekend.
More crazy idea: WHAT IF... rather than spend all that time digging up the existing pipe, I just dig up the connection at the meter and the connection at the house, install the fresh pipe while it is still above ground (allowing me to get the water flowing for the family asap), then dig a small trench next to the pipe to push it down into (which I think 1-2 ft should suffice, I don't see why 4' deep is necessary). I estimate this would take me less than 1 day. Yes, I do know where the underground utilities are. They were flagged previously.
MOST crazy idea: WHAT IF... I dig up the connection to the water meter and connection to the house only, then temporarily attach the new pipe to the existing pipe at the water meter, then pull the new water pipe through the ground by pulling out the existing water line at the house? I don't know if this is physically possible if the pressure holding the existing pipe in the ground is too strong to pull it out, but if this actually worked, it would be very quick, very limited digging, and make me the most brilliant person ever, ever.
I would appreciate any thoughts you have positive or negative on this.
First time poster here but I have a special project that requires some input from the experts here.
Background on me: Intermediate DIY enthusiast. I say enthusiast because I am not afraid to screw things up and end up spending more time and money as part of the learning process, whereas I know some DIY folks just want to save money. I've got some plumbing experience inside, but haven't dealt much with the outer pipes yet aside from one fix noted below.
Background on the issue: The water 1" PVC line into my house (built 2003) after the meter keeps popping holes. I first noticed the issue about a year ago, paid a plumber to come out, they did some digging, and patched 3 different holes. They recommended I replace the whole line, which I did not have the resources to do at that time. 6 months ago, another big leak developed out there. I dug it up and fixed myself and replaced a 10' section including the area with the leak with PEX pipe with sharkbite connections to the PVC. Now it is leaking again from a different spot, obviously it just needs to be totally replaced at this point.
The weird mystery: My neighbor pointed out my leak yesterday, and noted he just developed his own leak AT THE SAME TIME. That seems too coincidental, no? We definitely have separate leaks because the butterflies on both our meters are spinning and they are coming from different places in the yard. He noted he has also had a recurring issue with leaks in his pipe coming in. My guess is we have defective PVC pipes, but since they break at the same time, I'm guessing water pressure may also be to blame? Neither he nor I have a pressure regulator installed. That's the only explanation I can think of that our pipes develop leaks at the exact same time.
My either crazy or brilliant DIY fix ideas:
Aside from install a pressure regular right after the meter, to take care of the pressure issue whether or not that turns out to be part of the problem. These are my thoughts on fixing.
Least crazy idea: Dig up and replace entire water line into house with PEX. Existing pipe it about 3-4 feet under ground and goes close to 100ft, so it would likely take me all weekend.
More crazy idea: WHAT IF... rather than spend all that time digging up the existing pipe, I just dig up the connection at the meter and the connection at the house, install the fresh pipe while it is still above ground (allowing me to get the water flowing for the family asap), then dig a small trench next to the pipe to push it down into (which I think 1-2 ft should suffice, I don't see why 4' deep is necessary). I estimate this would take me less than 1 day. Yes, I do know where the underground utilities are. They were flagged previously.
MOST crazy idea: WHAT IF... I dig up the connection to the water meter and connection to the house only, then temporarily attach the new pipe to the existing pipe at the water meter, then pull the new water pipe through the ground by pulling out the existing water line at the house? I don't know if this is physically possible if the pressure holding the existing pipe in the ground is too strong to pull it out, but if this actually worked, it would be very quick, very limited digging, and make me the most brilliant person ever, ever.
I would appreciate any thoughts you have positive or negative on this.