Ground rod install the really easy way. Tools optional

How to install an electrical grounding rod with no tools needed. Just add water.
Check out my new video about how to repair a water heater dip tube. This is necessary when your hot water gets cold very fast. • Hot water getting cold...

[@gregjablunovsky841]

I was sceptical, but followed the technique. My only variation was my son using a cranberry juice bottle for water. 10 minutes and I was done...stunned! This worked great for me.

[@Samuelbraid]

I'm so happy to hear the cranberry juice method works also!

[@patrickterneus2157]

IT WORKS!! I just tried this method and was very skeptical of my success due to the very high clay content in Colorado soil. This skepticism was based on 10 years of pounding 4 foot ground rods with a hammer as a cable tv installer/service tech when I was in my twenties. Now that I'm in my fifties and not nearly as strong and spry I was determined to at least give it a try. Wow I could hardly believe my eyes as I watched the 8 foot ground rod slowly sink deeper and deeper while only taking about 24-32 oz of water to sink all but about 18 inches of ground rod. This last 18 inches I finished driving with just a claw hammer. This brings to mind the adage "Work smart not hard."

[@crystalclearscience]

thx so much!! I'm 56 and had people telling me I needed to "get help" -you were my help - that and stubbornness!!

[@jerrygill931]

I know this was posted 4 years ago, but it still works today! Seriously though, did t this afternoon here in Michigan took 5 minutes ,could hardly believe it. Thanks a million. Great post...

[@metalfire86able]

Wow 5 minutes !! I will later. Im in high spirit 💪💪

[@rudyfierro1221]

Zen Thinker, I need to give credit where credit is due. This method worked like a charm. 10ft ground rod driven 8ft, done....! 5 minutes. Thank you

[@Samuelbraid]

Always glad to hear that this worked for someone.

[@mynamesnotimportant6941]

what type of dirt?

[@DustinBKerensky97]

Dude this this faster by hand in about 2 minutes than most online videos do with power tools in 20 minutes.

[@YCreek]

I watched a guy do this at my camp house. Blew my mind. We have zero rocks in our area and, with one bottle of Dasani, he put a 10' rod into the ground in less than a minute. I wouldn't believe it if I wouldn't have seen it. I just used your video to prove it to some naysayers here at work. Awesome.

[@elmoreglidingclub3030]

It works here in Central Alabama soil! I got an 8’ rod down about 6’ deep in ten minutes. Then used a claw hammer to drive it deeper, leaving about 10” exposed as I plan to attach a ham radio lightening arrestor bracket to it and I’m not sure the dimensions of the bracket. I may drive it a little deeper when I’m sure of the space requirements. Solid method!! Thanks for sharing!

[@edward2364]

It works here in Mars too=)

[@hicoteo]

This works! We have rocky ground and it took me 5 tries in different spots but it went down like a hot knife through butter. Thanks!

[@cesaraviat]

Thanks a lot, this worked for me, it was easy not much effort, 20 minutes for an 8ft rod

[@Samuelbraid]

cesar avia, I'm glad to hear that it worked for you that is the reason I made the video. I pounded these things in the ground with a sledge hammer for years before I learned this method. Good luck with the rest of your project!

[@billman6364]

Hi Sam, I too pounded my brains out for yrs on 8ft rods for CATV construction never thought about pouring a little water in there, it wont help much when you hit a rock but brilliant idea.

[@madmax16117]

The chicken broth method ground rod install LOL.

[@KARENboomboomROXX]

i was thinking the same thing..

[@jujumama]

Lol

[@rossstevens6165]

I tried beef broth. It seemed to work just as well.

[@5zwoodworks]

It worked my dude. I just installed one recently. I appreciate the video.

[@2618winslow]

Thanks! This will make it so much easier than I expected.

[@snippits75]

Going to give this method a try. Thanks! Clay and rocky on my property.

[@Samuelbraid]

I hope this works for you. Depending on the size of the rock it'll be easier to move over and start a new hole for the ground rod with this method.

[@roylee6116]

Nice job. Wish it was that easy for me here in the mid west lol. I use a big ole hammer drill. Slides right in like butter.

[@Samuelbraid]

Roy Lee, that's good to know. I'll have to try that next time.

[@zyu712]

YMMV -- really depending on your ground! My contractor used the same method before even watching this video but didn't work since the soil underneath is rock solid!

[@Samuelbraid]

Sorry to hear it didn't work for you. Where are you located? what type of soil? It's mostly clay here.

[@zyu712]

Hi, I live in Sacramento, CA.

[@mimabo72]

In DC. we were using a Jack Hammer ground rod driver and the ground was so loaded with rocks that it wouldn't drive it in. Else where in clay it was easy

[@mikemiller9119]

Mommy! I want to see the video. That was cute. I really wish I had soil like that to install my grounding rod.

[@fredgarvinMP]

This worked EXACTLY like in this video for me. I had two 8' ground rods in about 10 minutes. Likely, you'll have different results where you live. But if you're driving ground rods in or near Burbank, California, give this method a try.

[@jamessage4566]

what is connected to the ground pole... & where in the breaker box does this go

[@VA3AGV]

Thanks for the video. Andre🇨🇦

[@KARENboomboomROXX]

i jumped ahead and thought you were using broth. that was funny, then i backed up and you said water... :) i thought there was a little trick in there with the broth....

[@wa5tef]

Yes! I've used that method for years. Sure beats the sledge hammer!!!

[@JayN4GO]

Exactly how I do it. Blew the cable technician next doors mind. Lol

[@douglasolsen1208]

This is more like something a person might see at a David Copperfield show!

[@rookie7413]

Lucky to hit a soft spot like that. I keep hitting rocks and boulders. I am patient for part deux - the final 2 feet.

[@fredgarvinMP]

Chris T. It slips right in. The water method works. I am not affiliated with the maker of this video in any way.

[@j.d.1488]

Hammer drill (rent) with ground attachment. Depending on soil. 5 minutes done.

[@ingenerchik]

Will it also work on the Moon, do you think?

[@EldonBeall9993]

That depends on the Region and Ground. I have to install a home service and I know here in Montana the Ground is real hard and rocky. The Rocky Mountains?

[@miscanime]

The chicken broth with def get you through those rocks...lol

[@fan1008]

Plan on installing one of these in 2 weeks, going to the store to buy chicken broth............😂🤣

[@ericupshaw4587]

Great video....this is a great method. Thanks for sharing!

[@jerrylansbury9558]

The water dont wash the dirt from the hole. The water forces the dirt " open " . Always remove the rod before adding more water. You should not have to force the rod down. It will " drop " down unless there is rock. Its about hydraulics !

[@southernguy35]

I thought you could do that with one of those hammer drills. What do you do when you're "rock poor?" That is, the dirt is very, very rocky?

[@Dev_Everything]

I dont know if this was a joke or what but I tried this and it did not work. I got the rod in about 6 ft (10 ft rod) with the sds attachment but this thing is not moving at all

[@Samuelbraid]

Sorry to hear that it didn't work. I've tried it on a few different soil types and it definitely works the best in clay soils. Sand and rock definitely decrease the efficiency of this method.

[@Dev_Everything]

@@Samuelbraid Well after further researching it seems that this really does work. I took the rod out (not easy) and tried a spot around 6ft away and it stopped in the same spot. Thanks for the tip, i will use it on other sites but this one is a PITA

[@MrCarburettor]

The dislikes for this video should be coming from the folks using sledgehammer for last 10 years or more.. Awesome trick!!

[@davidhuerta788]

Good work! I will be your subscriber# 109 👍

[@DaddyBeanDaddyBean]

That's amazing. Thanks for the video!

[@jethronh]

my sewer line to the street was clogged. Sent a scope down and realized someone drove the ground rod outside by the incoming electric directly below into the clay sewer pipes. Pulling the rod up about 5 inches was impossible. I had to get a service truck with a boom winch....

[@runningonempty6558]

Thank you, I think your method will save me a lot of work. Do you need to put in a 8 foot grounding rod for a 3600 watt ridgid portable generator, that will have just two extension cords plugged into it ? It is for hurricanes only , to power a refrigerator and portable air conditioner and maybe a light.

[@Samuelbraid]

Running On Empty, I hope this becomes your go to method. I am not sure if you need an 8 foot grounding rod for that job or not. When in doubt, err on the side of caution.

[@DanielaRouge]

Splendid! Is the rod made out of copper (tube) and if it is what diameter? Thank you so much!

[@Samuelbraid]

Hi Daniela, I do use copper ground rods and I believe they come in 1/2 or 5/8 inch sizes.

[@nicorellius]

This seems like it works fine with nice, soft ground... if you have harder or rockier ground, does this work?

[@TheGalaxyhopper]

probably but who knows-I LIVE IN area where it should not have big boulders down deep- In Illinois I ask the experienced well driller- he said only once did he hit immovable rock. in central north illinois- 40 ft of overburden to get to largest white silica sand we used to pay thousands to remover overburden, before blasting the sand rock into grains....

[@garymeroff3297]

Thanks I was going to get a rotor hammer but, I will try this and if necessary finish it with a hammer.

[@Samuelbraid]

Gary Meroff , I think it's best to finish the last few inches with a hammer just to give a more positive connection with the soil. Eventually there would be no difference but this method does wash the soil out rather than compacting it around the rod.

[@boneyfreak9197]

It's dependent upon soil type whether it's considered "jetting". Clay is gelatinous and easily fills voids, most soils in flat building locations have a fairly high content of clay. This isn't even close to jetting. It's displacement. I've tested plenty of remote temp. transmission stations that they used this method . Have yet to see a pile of earth around a rod during the rod penetration after they were installed as shown in this video unlike true water jetted placements, which can be checked with a Kentucky Sweet or shovel and you feel or if shoveled, see what looks like a gopher hole. With proper displacement install using lubricant there's maybe a single handful of displaced muck soil you can grab which doesn't even come close to the amount of soil the so called (by others) illegal "..form of water jetting.." compared to the rods mass of 19 cu in.

[@wfdrum]

Who let the nerd in???

[@bobhoskins9595]

@@wfdrum That's called analysis. Its the foundation for most everything on this planet that works well.

[@amaliopratti2068]

I have to agree. I understand displacing the soil over the length of the rod. So I'm concerned about moving 19 c.i. of soil in a rocky area of the Adirondack Mnts. What would you recommend? Thank you.

[@AK88.]

These are exactly 8' and I haven't seen them longer but they say you need to bury it a full 8'.. is it okay to leave it about 5" out of the ground?

[@Samuelbraid]

You should follow your local electrical code. Building inspector are surprisingly helpful for diyers call them and ask what they would expect. That being said, more contact with moist ground is better and local code for me calls for three rods 10 ft apart connected with a single copper conductor. With 24ft of rod I'd say that cutting 15" out probably isn't going to make a difference. If you ever hit it with a lawn mower you'll with it was 5" under the ground. (Don't ask how I know)😅

[@AK88.]

@@Samuelbraid wow 3? We only need two unless one tests under 25ohms but two means no test, also 6' apart. How deep are yours? For me the rods go indoors so dont have to worry about flower beds but I didn't know the bit about the moist soil working better than indoor dry ground!

[@nathanschenkman3720]

Awesome...Thanks for that trick!

[@letthewindcome]

I've been having some major issues (and unfortunately malfunction of equipment) in my music studio, what if you live in a house without ground because its on a mountain rock bedding and it can't reach ground/water? i'm living in a older building, 300m above sea level in a climate where it rarely rains.

[@Samuelbraid]

Rog ma, I'm not a licensed electrician and so I cannot make a final statement about your situation. Best bet would be to contact a local electrician or electrical inspector to find out. From my research the solution revolves around either boring one or more holes and filling with soil. Other solutions I've seen involve burying a "loop" of wire under some soil. The ground rods purpose is to take free electrons from the system and dissipate them. So key features would revolve around sufficient transfer of those electrons. Soil moisture, mass, and conductor surface area are the primary factors involved. I know I've given you a long and rather technical "non-answer" but I hope it helps! Good luck and please reply when you have a solution id love to know what you come up with.

[@steiger256]

I sed your installing your ground rod inside your building. I also wanted to do mine the same way And leave a inch above concrete level. My question is c as n you do this, I heard they have to be put outside where they can get wet. I would rather have it inside.

[@Samuelbraid]

steiger 256 the ground moisture makes a huge difference in the conductivity of your grounding rod. Here in Tennessee the ground holds so much water it practically never dries. I wouldn't think that moving the grounding rod one foot to the side would make a major difference in the moisture. However, best bet is to follow your local electrical code.

[@50Acres]

Any idea if this will work in really clayey soil?

[@Samuelbraid]

Where this video was shot is less than a mile from some very large bentonite clay mines. I think it works best in soils that won't absorb the water.

[@giovannibietri4030]

I keep being told to use some gel when grounding the rod. Is that gel necessary?

[@Samuelbraid]

I'm not sure about a gel. I can think of two things you might use. 1. When using this method you could make some drilling fluid with a product called quick-gel. It's essentially powdered bentonite clay and helps suspend particles of dirt to get them out of the hole. 2. Might be dielectric grease around the contacting points and helps prevent corrosion. Being those two, you will need to ask the person telling you to use gel. Good luck!

[@FreshKicks4545]

So if I'm understating right just push into the group, no cement? The. Just attach ground wire?

[@Samuelbraid]

Pretty much, the moist soil will conduct electricity to ground.

[@brianyoung8999]

Try that is Sacramento where a pick axe cuts the ground at about a centimeter per swing

[@PierreKerbage]

What a great tip! Many thanks!

[@stevenzembriski6761]

Try that in Rockland County NY lol

[@bransencortez7353]

holy shit. this just worked right now. in TEXAS. i have done this wrong my entire life.

[@lifesgood6480]

Thank you

[@MoTown44240]

Did not work well with hard clay.

[@turbobird2000]

Why not a fence post hammer / driver….. used them , 5 mins or less.

[@jerrylansbury9558]

Because if done correctly ..adding water to the hole with out the rod in it......its easy. No need for " force " the rod down. Its about " hydraulics".

[@emesappliancerepair3792]

But how to remove an old rusty one?

[@gregorymann3431]

Thanks

[@llamauniverse2298]

Good job!

[@garyanddoris6022]

What about the part where you hit a rock ....... .

[@sandman_7326]

what was used for the ground rod ?

[@Samuelbraid]

sandman_732 , I used a standard copper coated 8ft ground rod. available from Lowe's, Gome Depot, etc.

[@kc9cuk]

TWO WORDS "HAMMER DRILL"

[@victoryfirst2878]

You would never get that to happen where I live. You need to drill and then insert. Just the way it is.

[@jerrylansbury9558]

Unless solid rock... true......need to drill...but if just gravel / rocks. It works !

[@victoryfirst2878]

@@jerrylansbury9558 That is correct Jerry. Like the video fella. Simple is usually the best.

[@brittanywright9646]

Now....you might wanna go ahead and move that rod about 2 ft from the building.

[@Samuelbraid]

@jojoyjade1474 this was your first KZbin video!

[@TheTalonts]

The only problem I see with your method is that you pulled the rod out of the hole. Definitely should NOT be removed in many types of soil. Just pour the water around it, keep it in the hole.

[@stevenschrader3558]

Oldest trick in the book. I never use this. Thanks anyway.

[@jddeefo1022]

Seem fishy to me, but I'll try it next time a need to drive a ground rod

[@stevenbrown5210]

Wow that works faster than Joe Biden's inflation empties my bank account!

[@markmillers4491]

May I suggest gloves? 🤙

[@DaddyBeanDaddyBean]

Photobomb at 1:12 😁

[@garrettlees]

Come to San Diego. Any community here, from La Jolla to La Mesa, and I guarantee you I'll have you crying and cursing and kicking rocks within 5 minutes. Getting down ANYWHERE in this city is bloody murder

[@scottn8003]

Hey bud 45 degree angle follow the code and that method won’t work

[@stephenpowstinger733]

Now people have differing kinds of soil so I don’t know about this...(I live in sandy South Florida)

[@Samuelbraid]

I agree, the type of soil you have will make a drastic difference. This doesn't work for everyone but it works enough! With sandy soil try using more water. Good luck!

[@sandman_7326]

Maybe i can find a 10ft rod so i can let it stick up out of the ground about a foot so nobody hits it with the lawn mower cutting the grass , Thank you for the info.

[@TheTalonts]

Put a PVC pipe around the top, but still drive it in flush/under ground level. Assuming the PVC protection meets code for your area. Or just put a frigging potted plant over it and don't run the sod up to it.

[@bradspaugh9827]

No rocks, lucky guy

[@wileycoyote556]

In Oregon we hardly ever get a ground rod in without driving it through at least one rock, I beat dozens and dozens in by hand as an apprentice and now I use a roto hammer and will probably never bother with another method. If you happen to get good soil with no rocks they go in so easy with any method it's kind of a moot point.

[@jamessage4566]

what gets connected to this grounding rod

[@Samuelbraid]

For my install, I used a clamp and #6 solid copper grounding wire to connect to a sub panel in my barn.

[@KARENboomboomROXX]

1:13 was cute

[@PerryChamberlain]

This is a a form of water jetting which is not allowed. Water jetting creates a cavity between the rod and the ground. This can be proved by running a full ground rod Tester 3 wire test fall test. water jetted rods don't work. It is a waste of your energy and time. the rod has to be forced into the Earth to make contact because it pushes the Earth out of the way it grounds itself with the copper coating on steel rod to the surrounding soil. don't use water to set ground rods it doesn't work it doesn't actually ground the rod at all. Soil never fillls back in that space once the water goes away it may fil in little parts of it. but the major part of the rod, after you water jet it, does not make contact with the ground please don't do this.

[@JeffRemasPhotography]

OK, thanks for the info. What code section of the NEC prohibits this? I can't seem to find it.

[@sojunx]

Doesn't work where I live, but nice

[@cbensch]

BOO! 1:13

[@jimmyjohnson7041]

Your working to hard !!!!! The rod should just drop down ! Lift the rod out of the hole each time allowing water to enter the hole. Its about hydraulics....and lub !

[@thor8580]

Doesn’t work with rocks

[@Samuelbraid]

I'm sorry to hear that. I guess you'll have to use your hammer. 🤣

[@conesillyvalley7182]

No tools when u have 2 feet of pit already..

[@Samuelbraid]

Baki Pest , you're right! I was lucky enough to have run the conduit underground and didn't fill the hole all the way back in. This truck should work the same. I do this same thing when setting up electric fences.

[@makeitrightb6550]

If you had a industrial hammer drill and a ground rod driver you could of had in the ground already

[@Samuelbraid]

I agree power tools are fantastic. I use this method when setting up electric fencing as well and carrying a jug of water is easier than a giant drill and generator.

[@southernguy35]

Tell mommy to stop whatever she's doing.

[@scowell]

Use a T-pole banger... don't use a hammer.

[@logmeindog]

No tools? I see one....

[@modex20]

got 'em!

[@BOB12349307]

even if that worked it would be the worst ground i have ever seen in my life

[@truck57us]

Care to say why?

[@Tommyr]

Go rent a rotary hammer for Pete sakes! It's the only way to go.

[@Grevlain]

Cuz paying money for no reason is always better, right?

[@TamerBekir]

Says no tools. Uses sledge hammer

[@patrickterneus2157]

No it says "Tools Optional" If you can push an eight foot ground rod down so that only 8-10 inches are above ground then I think this video is properly titled.

[@jerrygill931]

Really?

[@electricalron]

Buy a real hammer drill.

[@Samuelbraid]

electricalron I can imagine how well a hammer drill might work. When I started doing this I was moving mobile homes and we would be setting up electrical service poles with no electricity on site. Also, that was before we got our 30kw gen set.

[@henrycruz45cal]

Why

[@yyz2go2112]

Terrible method.

[@bigdaddyktk24]

Use a fuckin jackhammer. This method won't work for hard ground.

[@Justadude1904]

😂😂😂 Lmao! This is the stupidest video I've ever seen! Ya that'll work great in A+ conditions which is about 1% of the time.

[@fredgarvinMP]

Dagomxrider It worked for me. Don't be such a cynical skeptic. Get out there and try things, dont just bang on your keyboard.

[@Justadude1904]

Fred Garvin I've installed hundreds of ground rods thank tho nice try

[@mynamesnotimportant6941]

@@Justadude1904 have you ever tried installing one this way?

[@lawpenner]

@@Justadude1904 Clearly James Gamble is the stupid one here. I've installed hundreds of ground rods by hand like this with a little water. It's incredibly easy. Works like magic. Especially as you get good at it.