If you have a leaking pipe in your home or yard, it’s not only a pain to deal with, it can also be very expensive. If your water bill is already high, having to pay the cost of fixing a leaky pipe is probably the last thing you want to think about right now. But if left unfixed, the problem will get worse and more expensive over time – so what should you do?
To help homeowners with this problem, we’ve put together this step-by-step guide on how to fix a leaking pipe underground.
Tools you might need
- A shovel
- Spade
- A shut-off valve or key
- SHEET
- Hammer
- Bucket
- New sanitary pipes
- Gloves (optional)
- Waterproof tape (optional)
- Waterproof adhesive (optional)
Step-by-step guide to repairing a leaking water pipe underground
Step 1: Find the leak
Before you try anything else, you must find out where the leak is coming from.
- The best way to do this is to check for wet spots or mold in your yard or around where the pipe goes underground. If there are wet spots near the surface of the ground in or around your yard or garden beds—or if leaves or other debris float above the water in those areas—then there’s probably an underground leak somewhere nearby.
It can take some time for these signs to appear, especially if the leak is at an underground pipe that runs a long distance. If you notice any of these signs, it’s time to get on the case.
- Get a water meter: If you suspect an underground leak but aren’t sure where it is, it’s time to invest in a home water meter. These handy devices allow you to track your water usage so you can see if there are any changes when the first problem (such as an increase in usage) occurs.
- Turn off all the water sources and then turn them back on one by one until you find where the water is coming from (this method works best if you have multiple faucets or sinks).
This video has some great tips and tricks you can try if you want to find your underground drain.
Step 2: Turn off the water
Once you know where the leak is, it’s time to fix it! First things first: If you have an underground leak somewhere in your plumbing system, the first thing you need to do is turn off the main shutoff valve for your home or building. This is usually located next to your meter or in an exterior wall of your home.
Once you’ve turned off the water, turn off all other valves and faucets that go under or in that section of pipe – this will prevent damage to them and help you keep track of which valves are open and which are not. t.
Step 3: Dig a hole
Once you’ve turned off the water supply, use a shovel or other digging tool to dig a trench about two feet deep around the leaking pipe (or as deep as needed). This will give you employment and see your groundwater line without having to go through solid ground on top of your lawn.
Next, remove any dirt or weeds that are in the way of your pipe so you can better see what needs to be done. If you don’t have the tools handy and need help fixing this leak, call our team of professional plumbers.
Step 4: Remove the damaged pipe
Using a shovel or other digging tool, dig out an area the entire length of the old pipe. This will make it easier to remove and replace in the next steps. Using a screwdriver or other tool, remove any screws holding the damaged section of pipe in place and pull it out of the ground.
Clean out dirt and debris that has accumulated in the hole where you removed the leaking pipe: Use a garden hose or other cleaning tool to wash away any dirt that may have entered this area during the repair process.
Step 5: Measure and cut new pipes
Measure the distance between the leaking pipe and the water meter: This will help you determine how much pipe needs to be replaced so that you can buy enough replacement parts for your repair job. Don’t forget to measure your diameter as well to get a perfect fit.
if you have a new pipe section already cut to size, simply push it into place and secure with screws. If not, cut one to length using a hacksaw or other cutting tool (PVC pipe is easier to cut and won’t require a larger machine). If you don’t have tools handy to cut the PVC pipe, you can use a utility knife or pair of scissors for this step (but be sure not to damage any of the plastic parts).
If the pipe is made of copper or metal, this process becomes more complicated. If you are experienced in cutting this type of pipe, you may need to use a torch to cut and solder copper pipes, for example. If you’re not sure you’re up to the job, it’s best to call someone who is, because your plumbing system is important and you don’t want to have to repair it again anytime soon.
Use a hacksaw or other cutting tool to cut the new pipe to the same length as the drain section. This will ensure that you don’t end up with a section that is too short or too long that could cause problems later.
Step 6: Connect the new pipe to the water meter
Insert one end of the replacement pipe into the hole above the water meter and tighten it with a wrench until it locks. After cleaning both ends of the replacement pipe with sandpaper, apply PVC cement between them and let it dry overnight before using it again.
Step 7: It’s time to test your pipes
Once you’ve replaced the leaking pipe and 24 hours have passed, test the repair by turning on one of the faucets. This should ensure that there is not leaks or other problems with your repair. If water comes out, turn off all faucets and call a plumber to make sure there are no more leaks in other parts of your system.
If there are leaks, you will need to go back and check your work. Make sure all connections are secure and no pipe is left loose after cutting it to size.
Step 8: Backfill the hole
Once you’ve fixed your pipes and made sure everything is working, it’s time to fill the trench with dirt so it looks as close as possible to how it was before you started working on it.
After you have your pipes in place, fill the trench with dirt and compact it with a trench tool. Make sure all the dirt is compacted tightly around the pipe so water can’t get under it. After that, flush the system by running all the faucets until they are free.
When to call a professional?
If yours sanitary installation projectit takes you much longer than you expected or you face many problems, there is no shame in calling someone with more experience. Plumbing is an essential part of your home and you don’t want to do a bad job because it will eventually affect your entire life.
Even if you fixed it yourself, it’s still a good idea to call someone to check it out and make sure the job is done right. This way, you can save money in the future for even more many repairs.
Conclusion
It’s important to know how to fix a leaking water pipe because it can cause serious damage if left unchecked, which could mean replacing expensive parts or even worse, having to dig up your entire yard!
Fortunately, there are some easy leak fixes that are simple enough for anyone to do, and we’ve hopefully cleared some things up for you. And if you have any more questions, ask them in the comments.