Finding And Fixing A Water Leak In The Main Water Line In The Yard

[@yeknomgod]

Ended up being able to throw a pipe repair clamp on it (with a little Alien Shield tape stuck between the rubber and the pipe) to get it done. The confidence to get in there in the first place came from your video. Thank you!!

[@CHARLESCRANFORD]

Thank you for the thanks. I think the hardest part, for me, was digging to the pipe. How long did you have to dig?

[@Bear2U]

You realize that's a band aid and the weakest link in your chain now, you'll really realize it next time you're digging the same hole 😉

[@CHARLESCRANFORD]

@@Bear2U I have read both sides of the argument for using or not using shark bite connectors. I guess, if they ever fail, I will find out.

[@mattrichardson1611]

Thanks for the blueprint to the inexperienced lol. I have my hands full today.

[@CHARLESCRANFORD]

Thank you for the thanks. It's a muddy job, but worth getting dirty to save some money. Good luck.

[@jeffm2787]

Ewwww, sharkbite. Underground...ewww. Sandpaper, PEX, omg. no. OK, done watching.

[@CHARLESCRANFORD]

Thank you for your comment. I understand sharkbites are not the best. I wanted to use pex compression fittings, but the local hardware store did not have any in stock. Stay tuned for a follow up video of where I dig this up and use pex fittings.

[@hjc4604]

You're lucky. Where I live near Myrtle Beach, the ground is just sand. So I was leaking 61,000 gallons a month with no obvious sign where it might be. Hired a pro who found a leaking sprinkler valve in about 45 minutes.

[@CHARLESCRANFORD]

61,000! That is almost as much water in the pool at my local YMCA! I bet that water bill was a big one. I have gotten in the habit of checking my water meter dials. If they are spinning, while everything is turned off, there is a leak somewhere.

[@jamesmata2945]

great diy video. life saver man. its hard out here can always save some bucks.

[@CHARLESCRANFORD]

Thank you for your comment. This was one of those repairs that I was willing to pay somebody else to do, but I ended up having to do myself. It was nice to save some money.

[@AngelaBrown-om9lj]

Thank you for this post. It really helped.

[@CHARLESCRANFORD]

Thank you for the thanks. How deep was your pipe.

[@AngelaBrown-om9lj]

@@CHARLESCRANFORD it was about 2 feet deep. My husband and son dug the hole. They plan to finish it tomorrow. Fortunately, I believe in being prepared for emergencies. I have 5-gallon refilled bottles for just a time as this. I also have a YMCA membership. LOL I still hope they fix it soon.

[@dionfleitas]

Thanks for the video. I have a very similar issue. Your video gave me encouragement to fix it myself. Thank you!

[@CHARLESCRANFORD]

Thank you for the thanks. I hope it is not hot where you are. Good luck.

[@ms.originalnaturehairandma8123]

Wow lot s of work. Thanks for the video. I'll have to pay, I dont think I have the strength to do all that work.

[@CHARLESCRANFORD]

I was ready to pay as well, but the plumber I had talked to earlier, didn't answer his phone. Sometimes you just have to roll up your sleeves and do the hard work. But no shame in paying a professional to do it.

[@song8732]

You need to wrap silicon tape to shark bites for in ground use.

[@CHARLESCRANFORD]

I will have to dig it up.

[@mccoymrm]

All win! I Congrats! Just found a wet spot in my lawn with a flow of water.....I'm fixing to do the same.

[@CHARLESCRANFORD]

Good luck fixing your leak.

[@mccoymrm]

@CHARLESCRANFORD Fixed it today! I have a French drain systemand that was the wet spot. As it turned out, my leak was at the main on my house. Dug it out and had a pro come rebuild it. Thanks for the great vid. It helped.

[@CHARLESCRANFORD]

@@mccoymrm Owning a house is an adventure. I am glad to hear that you got your leak fixed. Thanks for the update.

[@SuperJimmyBennett]

yup i got another one.. this time it isnt coming to the surface so its hard to find.. and its pex so i can use a detector unless it was metal. it would make it easier

[@CHARLESCRANFORD]

If my plumber hadn't injured his knee, the day before, I probably would not have done this job. The only good thing about my leak, was that it made the dirt/mud easier to dig. Good luck with fixing your leak.

[@CesAce2023]

Just done this today in my front yard found pipe and repaired it does anyone know how I can repair my lawn though looks abit of a mess now wondering if I should get soil then put grass seed down will it come right ?

[@CHARLESCRANFORD]

Any time I dig in the yard, I put the top pieces of dirt, with the grass, off to the side. When I fill the hole in, I put the pieces of dirt, with the grass, back on top.

[@CesAce2023]

@@CHARLESCRANFORD yeah did do that but just don’t look the same haha

[@jamiecarver7545]

Did you get mud in lines from the leak also?

[@CHARLESCRANFORD]

I tried my best not to but I believe i did. If you watch my video of rebuilding the pressure regulator, it was dirty and rusty. I think the demise of my pressure regulator may have been a combination of time and mud. Thank you for your question.

[@GotEmAll1337]

helpful video, where do you live, and how deep is that water main?

[@CHARLESCRANFORD]

Thank you. Central North Carolina. The water gauge is about one foot deep. The pipe, where the leak was, is about two feet deep.

[@pcysneros]

What year was your house built?

[@CHARLESCRANFORD]

1992

[@genevatungate1006]

I did not think shark bite could be put underground or behind a wall without access???

[@williamhartsell6390]

It can

[@johnhcorwin]

Good work! I just got an old house and I'm trying to find out if the incoming main line is copper or galvanized steel.

[@CHARLESCRANFORD]

Thank you for your comment. Use a magnet. It should stick to galvanized steel and not to copper.

[@antoniomilano7700]

Before 1980 its mist likely galvanized steel

[@leengly3127]

@@antoniomilano7700 not true mine 63 it copper.

[@fhuffner1288]

Guys please don’t use shark bite connectors in the ground.

[@CHARLESCRANFORD]

I was worried about using shark bite connectors, but the guys at the local hardware store (not big box) said it would be good. From what I understand, they don't rust. What is the problem with using them in the ground?

[@TheKellogg42]

@@CHARLESCRANFORD Its fine just needs the SharkBite tape. "SharkBite 10' X 2" X 0.02" silicone wrap is a self-adhesive tape that protects brass fittings from contaminants that can be found in ground conditions Underground burials of SharkBite fittings require that the fitting be wrapped in an impermeable material in order for a warrantied connection" * on their website

[@danielduarte4425]

@@CHARLESCRANFORDthey are for temporary use only

[@CHARLESCRANFORD]

@@danielduarte4425 I have read a bunch of things about all kinds of plumbing. Some people claim that shark bite connectors only fail if installed incorrectly. Others say they will fail no matter what the conditions. Some say PEX is better than copper, some say the opposite. I do know that nothing lasts forever and water, air, oil, almost anything will find a way. I will keep an eye on it.

[@jlbush8249]

@@danielduarte4425They are not for temporary fixes.

[@CathyAllen-tv1hr]

That’ll cost you on your water bill! I know b/c it just happened to me 😩

[@CHARLESCRANFORD]

It did, but luckily I caught it early. It was a dry Summer, if it were wet outside, I would have probably gone a few months without noticing it.

[@Savage-mo7wd]

My leak is 4 feet down in solid clay. The line is broken right outside of the basement cinder block wall i can hear it from inside. I would give anything to be digging in soil like this!

[@CHARLESCRANFORD]

All the water, in my soil, was a blessing and a curse. Normally the dry, rocky soil would be hard to dig and dusty. The wet soil was easier to dig but a big muddy mess that was hard to see the difference between a tree root and a water pipe. Good luck fixing your leak.

[@leengly3127]

Mine was 12 feet deep😂😂😂, I lost 7k for contractors to come out

[@CHARLESCRANFORD]

You must live somewhere that gets really cold for it to be that deep, or just a hilly yard. It was probably worth the 7k to not have to dig that deep yourself.

[@johnnorman3581]

You'd think this guy would have watched some KZbin videos on how to do this correctly. Jeez...

[@CHARLESCRANFORD]

I have read all the pros and cons of all sorts of different connectors for pipes. In the end, nothing lasts forever. I will one day have to replace the pipe, but I bet the new shark bite connectors will outlast the already 30 year old pipe on the other ends of it. Thank you for watching my video.

[@M4KERB]

too bad my line is 1.8m deep.

[@brycenunweiler4872]

Shark bites buried in dirt is bad way to do it. Should use philmac couplings

[@CHARLESCRANFORD]

I have read pros and cons on all types of connections. The best way to repair the leak I had would be to replace the whole 100+ feet of pipe. I didn't have the money or time at the time. I know that one day I will have to replace the pipe, it just wasn't that day. Thank you for your comment and advice.

[@brycenunweiler4872]

@@CHARLESCRANFORD well yea but I was referring to how you spliced that piece in. Should’ve used philmac plastic couplings not shark bites. Same cost and time better result.

[@CHARLESCRANFORD]

@@brycenunweiler4872 I hear you. My local hardware store recommended the shark bite couplings. I have had good advice from them before and feel confident that the shark bites will outlast the old pipe on either side of them. And one day, I will have to replace the whole pipe.