Shifting Soil and Pipes

[tweeter712]

We have hard, clumpy clay soil. When we have a drought many pipes break, mostly water pipes. I am about to install a clean out and am wondering if it would be a good idea when I fill the hole, to put sand around the pipe so it can have some give? Could there be any negatives from doing that?

 

[Diehard]

I believe sand is used a lot below and around a buried pipe.
But you should look up manufacturers of the types of pipe you are dealing with, as they typically have installation info, in their manuals, which include burying details.

EDIT: I would do that, even if you get comments back here, as I'm sure you will.