How To Find Underground Plastic Pipes - 8 Ways To Do It

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If you want to repair the PVC pipes, you will need to know how to find underground plastic pipes in the first place. You might need to locate underground plastic pipes so that you can repair the PVC pipe or start a renovation.

A couple of problems with outdoor PVC pipes is that they can get a blockage or leak due to pitting corrosion. However, it gets hard to locate PVC pipes because they are buried underground and often without any trace at the top.

To do this manually, you can use a probe rod. Check out the step by step instructions below. We will also discuss other options that are less labor intensive.

If you want to repair a blocking in an underground pipe, you can use a blockage locator. Not only will it help you detect where the blockage is, but it will also identify the location of the offending pipe.

If you know the right technique, you can find underground plastic pipes on your own. It could take several hours.

A do it yourself method will give you a learning experience and save you some extra bucks.

Below we have provided a step by step guide including a few methods you can use to find underground plastic pipes.

How to Find Underground Plastic Pipes

Step 1: Gather the necessary tools

You can find underground plastic pipes with a few different methods. The tools that you will need depend on what method you are using.

Tip: Before you start probing or digging You will need to locate the electrical lines and other pipes. Contact your municipality before you dig so that you don’t accidentally hit electrical lines.

You will need paper and two pens, colored red and blue. Then you will need to have a probe rod to detect the lines. You’ll also need a shovel to dig a hole in the ground.

If these methods don’t work, you will also need to rent a pipe locator from your local hardware store.

Finally, you can use an AML PVC pipe detector to find the underground plastic pipes. These are also often available at your local hardware store.

Step 2: Make a map of your yard on a paper

To start, you will need to draw a map of your house and the surrounding. You might already know the possible pipelines lying around your house.

Mark those lines in the map with a red-colored pen or marker. Then, draw circles on the map where faucets and outlets are situated.

Draw a straight line in between. However, when you finally locate the pipes, mark those areas with a blue-colored pen or marker.

Step 3: Use detectable tape to detect buried pipes

Sometimes engineers use detectable tapes to bury with the plastic pipes. It prepares for the process of finding underground plastic pipes later.

These detectable tapes are usually two inches wide. It is made of aluminum foil. These are buried in the ground with the plastic pipes.

You can use an underground locator kit to detect the buried line tape.

So, when you use a pipe locator, the detectable tape will send back the signal, which will help you locate the pipe.

If you hit the detectable tape, be cautious that the pipe is buried near the tape. Be careful of the possibility of causing damage to the plastic pipes.

Step 4: Use a probe rod

You can use a probe rod that is inserted into the ground, which will help to locate the buried plastic pipes.

Place the probe rod on the places you have marked for the possible pipeline, avoiding the municipality’s lines. Place it straight on the surface and press the probe rod against the ground.

You will need to put pressure on the handle of the probe rod.

Step 5: Start searching from the best possible location

Simply start from one corner of the map. This helps keep the search organized for you as you do the search.

You can also start from the area where you know that there is a possibility that the plastic pipes exist.

After placing the probe rod, if you don’t find anything, don’t give up. Use the probe rod a few inches left and right.

Again, main plastic pipelines are buried under, at around 20 inches deep. So, you will need some time to locate the pipes. Patience helps throughout the process.

Step 6: Dig the ground with a shovel

Suppose you are quite sure that there is the existence of plastic pipelines in a particular place.

Unfortunately, the probe rod is so far unsuccessful at locating it. So, what to do now? If you are quite certain, then you can dig that specific is with a shovel.

You can dig small holes, which will be enough to find the existence of pipelines. Generally, PVC pipes are buried at a minimum of 18 inches below the surface. It can be shallower if it is otherwise protected and dependant on your local building codes.

Don’t use the shovel too hard against the ground. Use the shovel in an angled way so that you don’t accidentally break the pipe.

The disadvantage of using this method is that it is very time-consuming. You will also need to fill the hole afterward.

So it’s best not to try this unless you are quite sure about the existence of the pipeline underneath the ground.

Step 7: Use a pipe locator

You can rent a pipe locator if you want an easier way than with a probe rod.

Tool rental companies often rent pipe locators. It won’t cost a lot of money to rent compared to buying a pipe locator, which is usually upwards of a grand.

The advantage of using a pipe locator is that pipe locators will provide you with more accurate results. You can use a conductive pipe locator to find plastic pipes. A pipe locator is comparatively easier to use.

To use the pipe locator, you will need to turn it on and roll it against the ground. See the map you drew in the first place and run the pipe locator over the possible places.

If the pipe locator has a display monitor on it, it will show the location of the pipes.

On the other hand, if the pipe locator doesn’t have a display monitor, it will make a sound to let you know when there are underground plastic pipes.

Step: 8 Get the help of ultra-high radiofrequency devices

If you find it too hard to locate the plastic pipes, you can use the AML PVC Pipe Detector.

The best feature of this particular device is that it will work on the ground with water or even snow.

Some other devices won’t work properly when the soil or ground is wet. This tool uses ultra-high radio frequency technology to locate PVC pipes.

Takeaway

Once you’re located the underground plastic pipe, remember to add detectable buried line tape before you bury it again. This will help mark the area for easy location when you need to find or repair the pipe again.

These are the ways for how to find underground plastic pipes. You can use one of the methods mentioned above.

Their detection doesn’t seem as cut and dry, unlike underground metal pipes. If one method doesn’t work, you can try another one of the different methods.

Related: How to Connect PVC to Copper How Long Does PVC Cement Take to Dry How to Cut PVC Pipe Without Tools

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