MY DIY Trench Digging Nightmare

[@CharlieDIYte]

🛠Charlie DIYte Amazon Tool Store amzn.to/3fcLnY4 - all my tried, tested and much loved DIY tools. ☕ Help support me on Patreon -www.patreon.com/charlieDIYte (includes Discord access). 🛍 Join me on WeShop and earn shares every time you buy! - app.we.shop/join-charliewhite

[@booshallmighty]

You're certainly not afraid of hard work Charlie. You remind me of myself, I'm always doing DIY, taking on all sorts of trades. I often think to myself, 'Why don't I just pay someone? The thing is is if I pay someone I expect them to do a better job than me. But they don't and they charge to much money. Respect to you Charlie. Digging is the worst. I moved 20 tones of crusher with a shovel when laying my driveway. I figured it would take too long to get the hang of the digger and I'm cheap 😂👍

[@RossHbn]

Feel sorry for your spine after that job but fair play to you that's impressive. 👍

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks Ross 👊

[@CharlieDIYte]

20 tonnes 😱 That's extraordinary Craig. Fair play to you! It's got to be done hasn't it and I've learnt so much in the process. 👊

[@blower1]

My sentiments exactly Craig....although i have hired a mini digger in the past for a couple of weeks and by time I was done i was pretty hot on the controls ;)...took a lot of practice though!

[@jamest5149]

I was the same but I have learnt, its your responsibility to do your research and check the important details as your contractor works, this way you can pick up on any short cuts and make additions if you want something adding or changing now the work has started and you can see the job in a different light… just be aware doing these additions will cost you.

[@stevvvvvvv]

when we bought our house I dug a 130ft long, 3ft deep trench to replace a lead water service with plastic using nothing except a bulldog tranch spade and a wheelbarrow. but I was 28 then and the thought of doing it now makes me tired just thinkin about it lol. fairplay to you Charlie.

[@woodworks2123]

Knowledge is knowledge mate. I now know more than I did before watching your video so thank you as ever. When I bought our house, I got a services map survey done. It has avoided a few headaches since.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Cheers mate. Exactly. This has been a bit of a demoralising job but I've loved the whole learning process. 👊

[@gregp1707]

31k views in 5 days Charlie, reckon there’s a lot of us out there who enjoyed this one! Very brave digging around those service pipes

[@johnsavage248]

What a nightmare, well done for seeing it through. I've learnt from bitter experience never to trust other people's work. I, alone, have the biggest vested interest in having a job done properly when it comes to my property.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks John. I'm afraid your right. 👊

[@waynenixon729]

Hi Charlie, I used philmac fittings when I replaced our shared lead main with a 25mm mdpe pipe. I used a Philmac 25mm - 22mm copper connection kit to switch from mdpe to 22mm copper. Used a 22mm stop tap. Reduced to 15mm for a drain off. I got fed up of waiting for plumbers to do some of the work. So I decided to do it all myself. I hired a core drill to core through the concreate kitchen floor and used soil pipe as ducting and insulated it down under the 550mm reinforced concreate foundations (1950s house). When from about 7 litters min to nearer 30. Can use the washing machine, flush a toilet and be in the shower without a noticeable drop in flow. The water company / KZbin / local City plumbing centre gave great advice. Cost about £200 in total inc buying some new tools. A moiling company wanted £100 a meter. Water companies plumber said he would of done it for £1,000. On inspection the Water company guy said I had done a brilliant job, better then some so called plumbers! Was well chuffed. Trench was about 15m all hand dug.. hard work but the rewards was worth it. No more lead contamination and much improved water flow as it was a new tapping on the main and not re-using the old half inch lead tapping.

[@CharlieDIYte]

What a superb job Wayne and those philmac fittings look great - particularly like the metal wall plate - so many of them trend to be plastic these days. As you say a lot of blood sweat and tears expended but it will have left you feeling pretty epic having got it done. Did you core drill at all angle through that concrete?

[@waynenixon729]

@@CharlieDIYte No I took the back out of the kitchen cupboard under the sink, removed the slide in knives fork and spoon draw. Then was able to core straight down and used my SDS with a chisel bit to cut through the rebar. Sealed the duct to the concrete with CT1 and used a rubber cap where the pipe exited both ends. Hardest part was the digging and would agree a pick axe ⚒️ is ideal to losses house brick and rubble. The depth was over a meter as I had to go under a soil pipe, electric supply cable and gas. Even under the concrete foundations of the back gate. I've a few pictures if your interested? Oh your channel is super as you have covered mostly everything to do with DIY! and my eldest son is called Charlie... his 7 yrs old.

[@lazylad8544]

Charlie after doing DIY for several years, you and ME know nothing goes to plan or runs smoothly. However you did an excellent job replacing the water pipe. I've just finished my patio. (I didn't film it) only the bits that are on my channel. We will never learn🤣🤣🤣

[@CharlieDIYte]

Cheers buddy. Exactly 👊

[@Crabfat809]

Great video Charlie. Appreciate the candid views and it’s refreshing to see that even a proficient DIYer can face unforeseen challenges. Keep up the top work 🙌

[@RS-Amsterdam]

Since I live in an apartment I don't think my neighbours would welcome me digging trenches around the house so this would not be one of my DIY jobs in the near future. My God what a work, and you are still smiling, you should have hired some army guys or a couple archaeologists telling them there is a long lost ancient treasure in your garden to be found hehehe. I have this compound called C4 for digging holes, great for outdoors use (bit further from the house would be advisable). Great video, I don't envy you with all that work. Thanks for sharing, keep us informed, love to see people work !!

[@CharlieDIYte]

Good to hear from you and thanks for this. Yes it's been really demoralising at times but I'm loving how much I've learnt. 👊

[@joparish1037]

Top tip: Always flush the pipe through BEFORE fitting the tap. All that silt and sand that washes through when you first turned it on plays havoc with the tap and washer. Great video as always though - showing the reality of DIY! 👍

[@CharlieDIYte]

Cheers Jo. That is a good point and there was quite a bit of mud in the pipe. 👊

[@fjrkev]

Got to do this exact job soon, water and power to the shed, followed by paths so loved this video, and look forward to the next. Well done

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks Kev. Yes it's hard work but worth it. I now have 10mm and 25mm 3 core SWA plus 2 Cat 5e SWA cables to the garage and 10mm 3 core SWA to the shed, all of which had to be drilled through half a meter thick basement walls. It's in now so hopefully that's everything to worry about. 👊

[@RossHbn]

Interesting video Charlie, goes to show how important it is to stick to regs re pipe depths etc. Good on you for taking this task on and sharing your challenges as you went on. 👍 (Conveniently timed as I've been doing groundworks for an LPG tank and pipework for the last 2 days.)

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks Ross. How are you getting on with it?

[@RossHbn]

@@CharlieDIYte All went well, thankfully I hired a CAT which just about picked up an armoured broadband cable buried about 300mm below the ground which saved a big headache.

[@1x3dil]

Hi Charlie , very interesting especially the amount of survives you discovered. Which in future might be useful information , even the remains of a brick wall may indicate a past history of your site. Having recently had a major renovation of our front garden involving the removal of 250 tons of soil and rubble, followed by the putting back of 40 tons of top soil . It definitely proved the value of machinery, and in my case the right people to operate it . But definitely well done you for tackling such a job on your own , and of course proving sometimes the people who we employe in good faith are sadly not up to the task. Best wishes and kind regards as always. 😀👍👍👍

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks Michael - great to hear from you and thanks as ever for the comment. 👊 Wow, that was a lot of rubble - crazy what's buried underground, isn't it! Thinking about it, that "wall" might actually have been one of the walls of one of the manholes for the old soil pipe system he ripped out.

[@karlpopewoodcraft]

Mate you never fail to amaze me with your diy. I'd never take on these tasks, awesome work.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Cheers buddy - same goes for you with your amazing classes - don't know how you do that . 👊

[@martinwright7093]

Good effort Charlie, well done! Anything that involves digging is hard graft. Yes, 750mm or 2ft 6inches is the British Standard depth for cold mains but in my experience they're rarely buried that deep in Cornwall where I am, 300-450 mm is more typical.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks Martin. Yes I think that's the reality in most places - helped in your situation by the milder climate. 👍

[@C4sp3r123]

Worth checking Andy Mac's video where he installed a new water main last winter for his property renovation on his Gosforth Handyman channel. I seem to remember he covered all the regs you need to follow and all the various aspects. Well worth a watch. Where you have the pipe coming up the wall with insulation, I would recommend boxing it in. It will look better, add insulation and you can pack it with loose insulation such as bubble wrap to help avoid a burst and it will also offer protection against catching it with anything. Also don't forget to insulate the tap. Would be good to add in a stop tap and drain off point near the ground so you can turn off the water to the tap. Finally might be worth adding in a isolation tap and access tube in the new leg of pipe so you can turn it off to work on it but keep the main house supplied. Good luck with the rest of the job.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks mate. Great advice! Yes I definitely plan to box it in and a stop tap lower down is a great idea!

[@MarieKent-ji5nk]

Crikey Charlie... Major respect to you re. this project and many thanks for sharing it with us. I'm a newcomer to your channel but already you have inspired me to tackle jobs I might otherwise have struggled to undertake. My outdoor log store for one! Many thanks for everything you do. It really is appreciated.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks buddy. And in turn you guys keep me inspired to keep making this stuff, with your comments. Really chuffed you find my vids useful. 👊

[@JakeT0191]

I can relate to this so much having replaced a less than well fitted soak away system from our septic tank. Great video Charlie! Real world DIY 🙃

[@CharlieDIYte]

Blimey, well done Jake. Now that is a job!!

[@StrawbyteWorkshop]

It's hard to know what to leave as a comment. I certainly admire your persistence and it does stand as a reminder to us all how unpredictable below ground services are even when you think you know how a service was left by a contractor.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks buddy. I appreciate you leaving a comment at all. Great channel btw 👊

[@hoyks1]

I feel your pain. I was running a trench for underground power to my new house, through the front yard of my old house on a rural block. 6 water pipes and 2 phone cables were sacrificed to the trencher gods and that had me scratching my head. I was expecting 2 water pipes (1 to the house and 1 to the shed) and 1 phone line, but there seems to be random mains pressure poly pipes everywhere I dig a hole. The back yard was worse, random water pipes and sewer lines thrown in to keep you in your toes. Fewer phone cables though. I cleaned the local hardware store out of repair joiners, 2 joiners for every time I found a pipe @ $8.50 each, it was getting expensive.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks for that buddy. Makes me feel a lot better about my situation. Crazy what you find down there, isn't it!

[@k172-z2t]

750mm is only a a guideline it's always nearly ignored, I work for a major gas distribution network and have seen some shockingly shallow services. Also the grey is usually uPVC not mdpe and is extremely fragile and can crack from joint to joint if sufficiently impacted. Next time id recommend trial holes along the planned route of your trench to reduce the chance of pulling any services.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks mate, appreciate that 👊

[@TWOKDOK1]

The word is regulation for a reason. Any tradesman who ignores such a regulation should be ‘struck off’ as a qualified tradesman. But that is pie in the sky.

[@tysondundas1947]

A check valve tap should be used on hose taps to stop backflow/ siphoning because hoses are inevitably plunged into buckets, barrels, paddling pools, left running on the ground & the likes it is possible that unwanted debris or bacteria is pulled up the pipe. These are a requirement in the water regs. I'd also suggest a stop cock in the ground to allow isolation to protect the house supply in the depths of winter.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Good point. I'll check with the supplier on the tap - shouldn't think the old one (which didn't feature in the vid) is a double check valve. Will definitely install a stop cock too. Thanks for the heads up 👊

[@Adamrees89]

Better to add a double check valve to the pipework serving the tap rather than replacing the tap. Especially now that the integrated check valve taps are not always accepted by water companies.

[@thetransformer6780]

Digging a drainage ditch and replacing the pipe also, since the backyard floods, with a shovel, pick and saws all to cut all the roots, it a lot of work.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Certainly is. One of those jobs where you have to take it one day at a time. Hang in there buddy 💪👊

[@valborchardt3596]

Shame Charlie, so sorry you had such problems but glad you got it right in the end…..be glad you dont live here, all our water pipes are asbestos which as you know are highly toxic….we only use bottled water to drink or cook with. Take care as usual, much love from South Africa

[@CharlieDIYte]

Hi Val, good to great from you. Asbestos pipes? Gosh I didn't know there was such a thing. Take care.

[@growingknowledge]

Always enjoy your videos. Don't forget to update us on the radiator balance system. Thanks for sharing.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Ooh, yes, good point. 👊

[@alexfranklin7711]

Your never alone with the mighty mattock.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Absolutely right Alex 💯👌👊💪

[@gojonnygogogo]

I always find myself questioning whether I should have just paid somebody to do it when I'm halfway through a DIY job. Then I remember what a half-baked job many of my previous tradesmen have done and I don't feel as bad! (Not that there aren't some great tradesmen out there)

[@CharlieDIYte]

Exactly Jonny. I'm certainly not generalising (I did get it in the ear from a couple of trades when I had a winge about this on Instagram) as there are some great trades out there just as there are some very dodgy DIY jobs!! But you have to catalogue what you find.

[@TWOKDOK1]

@@CharlieDIYte exactly how did the tradesmen who gave you earache explain away the basic errors (e.g. not 750mm buried depth for water) that your previous ‘professional’ made? The number of times I have asked tradesmen about different issues of the regs like this and they didn’t know what I was talking about is legion. Now I set little ‘poo traps’ to see if they are aware of some basics before I start .e.g. “What version of the Wiring Regulations are you working too?”. That really is an eye-opener - especially when the answer is “what wiring regulations?”… I bull sh*t you not. If the trades sorted out their regulation so that we could trust their different certifications, we wouldn’t have to worry so much. As it is, the ‘regulatory’ authorities appear to be ‘advisory’ authoriities to whom many of the tradesmen pay little heed, because, in the final analysis, unless someone INSPECTS at least a sample of their work, the certification means nothing and the certifiers are only really in it for the money the ‘mandatory’ certification procedure avails. I avoid using ‘accreditation’ because strictly if someone is accredited, it should mean that they have the authority to issue certification to a particular standard.

[@booshallmighty]

@@CharlieDIYte This is why you're so popular Charlie. You show us how it should be done

[@smartgorilla]

​@@CharlieDIYte I'd name and shame if I could. then compensation for your months work

[@EM-fh2tx]

Always get something from your videos! Will be very interested to see your path building, need to do something similar in my cottage garden.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks. Yes should be coming out in a few weeks if I can get that trench to settle enough first.

[@chrisharvey6431]

I have just had a contractor put in 25m of pipe for a new connection. Anglian Water advised they wanted to inspect depth every 5m. In order to backfill it as soon as pipe was laid he videod the whole trench excavated, and then placed vertical sections of 110mm pipe every 5m to allow the blue pipe to be seen. He also left the ends excavated.

[@marksixofone4104]

known as spy holes by water companies

[@ItzD3fW1sH]

I can so relate to the struggles of digging where the ground is littered everywhere with stones, flints, bricks, all sorts of building junk. Proved impossible and seriously frustrating to dig when you watch people (esp in the states) where they can seemingly use a spade and easily dig a trench like its butter!!

[@CharlieDIYte]

I know! It's joyful when you do hit just garden soil or that band of sand. I'm digging the path at the moment and it was so littered with bricks and other debris I had to order a skip.

[@januzi2]

13:08 As for the "properly compact it" did you mean creating layers and compacting each separately?

[@CharlieDIYte]

Basically, yes. You can let it compact naturally or as I'm my case I've swathed the MDPE pipe in sharp sand then a layer of pea single followed by the sifted stones and debris then finally soil on top, so with the multiple layers and compacting I don't think it will slump much if at all.

[@stuartlockwood9645]

Hi Charlie 😊 you did some serious graft there mate, you never know what you'll find when you start digging, well done , thanks for another interesting video, stay safe, best wishe's to you and your's, Stuart UK.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks Stuart and good to hear from you. Yes, through the worst of it now. Just need to dig out the path 😩🤣

[@WhyHandlesNow]

I'd be keen to know more about the building regs / admin process you had to go through before doing all of this, if you wanted to do a video on that side of things. Thinking about undertaking the same to run services to our garage. Thankfully a very straight run and no services to avoid but slightly daunted whether you had to get building reg. sign off on the trench, how often they had to come out etc. etc.

[@TheFool2cool]

No building regs on a trench, if you're running water out there the waterboard might be interested but unlikely. Electrics come under their own regs as well.

[@sygad1]

As always, a good video and timely in my case as well. Thinking of running services to the garage next spring so this will be saved for reference.

[@kathleenharsha6504]

Enjoyed the video even though it is not something I would attempt on my own - even when I wasn't old. I was surprised to see how close to the surface all those pipes are. I can't say with any authority but I suspect that would never pass code inspection on this side of the pond. Cheers!

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks Kathleen. Really appreciate you watching my vids. 🙏

[@slashingbison2503]

what a job blimey!

[@elliottdebell7783]

Ah dude, you can buy a spade but for that break on eBay and use it to shape the footing and smash through rocks! Just did a job with loads of flint, was a nightmare the digger bounced off. Just my two cents 750mm isn’t needed just as a meter deep footing isn’t. It’s just a rule planning comes up with as a one rule for all scenario’s. we don’t have frost that penetrates the ground that deep. The sand and the tape is a must though for me as it’s annoying digging them up.

[@CharlieDIYte]

You're probably right, buddy 👊

[@elliottdebell7783]

@@CharlieDIYte honestly pick up a spade bit for your breaker it will change your digging life! Great videos though, most likely why your channel is so successful.

[@chrisdrake447]

Cheers again, Charlie. Regardless of the jobs you do, whether it’s immediately relevant to me or not, I always learn from your videos. I would not undertake such a job, but I might someday have to commission such work, and gaining understanding tools, techniques and terminology from you will invariably help me spec what I actually want and whether a contractor is able and willing to meet that spec.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks so much for that Chris. I agree, knowing what you want and how it should be done is key. I find it quite tricky to tell these people how I want it done which is why I end up doing most of this myself. That and the cost. 👊

[@davidpriest5253]

Well done Charlie, keep at it. How disappointing to find out a person you paid for a professional job, didn't bother to do it properly.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks David. Yes it's annoying, particularly when he had a digger, and a much easier situation than me to get everything right. 👊

[@johnfilce9236]

I can relate... I'm always running into new "learning experiences" when I get into what seemed so simple.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks John. I'm into a new learning curve this week constructing the path 🤦

[@frederickbowdler8169]

A very honest evaluation and a Great job well presented /done.!

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks Frederick, really appreciate that 👊

[@dxrobins]

For weird jiggery pokery like working around those pipes you can use an auger (about 6" long and 3" wide) on a cordless drill to grind up the earth for relatively easy removal. It wouldn't be much fun unless everything was dry since you'd likely end up lying on the ground when you get fairly deep, or you're working under the pipes.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks buddy. Yes, good thinking and I also used my 18v SDS with a chisel bit on it which I forgot to mention.

[@pumpkinhead456]

Well done Charlie!

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks 👊

[@hbrealhousewife2270]

Love all your videos Charlie. Looking forward to the path one as I need to do some myself. And yes…..I was thinking of laying weed suppressant and gravel!

[@CharlieDIYte]

Aw thanks so much. I'll hopefully be doing the vid in a few weeks. Just need to properly tamp down that trench so I don't get a dip in the middle of the path. Thanks so much for watching my vids - humbled you find them useful. 👍

[@paul_my_plumbs_uk]

The 750mm minimum is for ground frost protection anything above the 750 mm will need to be insulated the buried pipework doesn't have to be lagged

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks Paul. Exactly. I've lagged that new bit because it's not 750mm up at the water meter stop cock.

[@waynenixon729]

@@CharlieDIYte My water company said if the pipe is brought up with-in 750mm of a outside wall, it needs to be ducted and insulated from 750 below ground all through the ducting to inside the property.

[@samford4547]

Another epic job Charlie. My old man often accuses me of being a perfectionist. I should introduce him to you! All the best ;) Sam

[@marksixofone4104]

Hi Charlie, try a ratchet pipe cutter such as rothenberger or similar, they cut through mdpe pipe like butter and are inexpensive.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks buddy. Yes I tried to get one of those but the store didn't have one. I'll definitely invest if I have a lot more of this to do.

[@heriothandyman3148]

11:33 I’d replace you lagging above ground, with armacell. Most generic lagging isn’t UV Stable and will deteriorate over time. Armacell IS UV stable. I got recommended (though not regs) installing 35mm for your water main, as a good practise for future-proofing. However with your pressure, you’ll be grand.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks buddy. Invaluable advice. I'll definitely do that above ground 👊

[@1myfriendjohn]

Great vid Charlie!

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks 👊

[@giantoak4742]

I need to do a similar job , very helpful thanks

[@CharlieDIYte]

You're welcome. Thanks for the comment.

[@misstakenot9582]

A job well done. I would have run a couple of lengths of CAT6 and/or a duct with a draw string.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks. Got a couple of lengths of Cat 5e (couldn't find Cat6/7 in SWA) in the original trench, along with a 10 and 25mm 3 core SWA. Hopefully that'll see me through this place 😉👍

[@FiscalWoofer]

Really useful, thank you!!

[@CharlieDIYte]

You're welcome. Thanks for the comment 👊

[@bidders77]

what a ball ache....must be a great sense of satisfaction now its sorted

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks mate. Yes there's nothing easy about trench work. A lot more hard work to come with the path, but should be a bit easier. 👍

[@colinwilson7524]

Thanks Charlie, interesting & enjoyable.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks Colin 👊

[@frasermacdonald5760]

Very useful thanks. Keep it up

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks Fraser 👊

[@DavePawson]

Interesting, (tiring!). Yes. lots of lessons there.

[@falfield]

Interesting. But replacing your hedge with fencing? Have you really not enough room there to plant (and later lay) a native hedge? Hedgelaying is a traditional approach involving cutting into & splitting the stems in a hedgerow to give enough flex that the stems can be laid over to an angle of 45deg or more without breaking continuity of the remaining bark. This prompts a vigorous growth of sideshoots and makes the hedge dense and impenetrable, as well as visually stunning. Originally developed to keep livestock in by filling gaps, laying a hedge has the beneficial side effect of making it attractive to hedgehogs and to nesting birds. I now teach the technique, which deserves wider use.

[@CharlieDIYte]

It's a good shout that. Is laying another word for pleaching? I've always been fascinated with this technique. Yes I'll definitely look into that as I agree, I'd choose a hedge over a fence every day of the week.

[@chrism3701]

Great video as always . Really enjoy and , most importantly learn , from all the stuff you take the time and effort to record and share. Many thanks .

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks Chris , really appreciate that.

[@timlay4504]

Great job - keep your chin up, your videos are very inspirational

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks so much Tim. Really humbled by that 👊

[@PLAYDEALS]

Just watched your 'MY DIY trench Digging Nightmare and I noticed that at about 13:54 there is a tree that looks like a skinny person doing a cartwheel 🙂

[@CharlieDIYte]

Very good. I hadn't noticed that 🤣

[@garvielloken3929]

Woah!! Mammoth undertaking

[@CharlieDIYte]

It was a biggy! 😉

[@matts5356]

Great job as always!

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks Matt 👊

[@isyt1]

I’d be tempted to put some soakaway crates in those channels to help with drainage

[@CharlieDIYte]

That's a good idea 👍

[@TheTbullseye]

Does that outside tap have a check valve?

[@DTech101]

Had mine done 32mm to the house then 22mm. No need for inspection if your with Thames Water and use one of there approved Plumbers, they just moled it in. PS how is the Solar going? I’m still waiting for mine :( the solar provider tried to fit a 3kW inverter with a single MPPT which wasn’t how I designed the system the system should be a 3kW dual MPPT, so now I have to wait a month for what I requested in the beginning.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks Darren. Yes it's good. Doesn't do a whole lot on overcast days and the EV keeps the bills reasonably high but nothing like what they would be without it. The house is pretty much off grid most of the day. I think I could do with another battery though. Fingers crossed you get it sorted without any more complications.

[@rogerkretzschmar8280]

Always entertaining watching your videos . Just curious with the water pipe not installed at correct depth , were you away at the time it was installed , so unable to keep a beady eye on them ? 😀

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks Roger. No I was there but he didn't really like me watching - I was videoing on the other side of the house and he really didn't like that either as he was worried I might be videoing him! He came with a good reputation so I just let him get on with it.

[@neilwatcham8932]

To make life easier. You could of just cut soil pipes where u had to dig trough with digger. And just reconnect with slip collers/joints.. would of saved a lot on manual labour....but great job...

[@dan1968ny]

Did you use a double check valve stopcock ? If you didn't you should have .Good video .

[@CharlieDIYte]

Yes double check and I'm going to install a stop cock to drain it in winter too.

[@imprezaaudi]

The outside tap should really have a double check valve. This is to stop back flow of potential dirty water or bacteria entering the mains supply

[@CharlieDIYte]

Pretty sure this one does but I need to check. Thanks for the heads up.

[@rkerr4059]

Good info as always. I'm interested to know how you get on with the gravel grids and hear your thoughts on that.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks buddy. Watch this space. They're arriving tomorrow.

[@carllamb6711]

Hi Charlie Your definitely not scared of hard work mate, as we’ve seen from past videos. Love your videos mate I’d rather see you mess it up first so I don’t make the same mistake lol lol Only joking mate.. I’d of taken this water 💦 replacement on BUT not the garage roof you did full respect on the bugger mate. Great content as alway Charlie 👍👍👍

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks Carl. Actually not sure which job is harder. This one has been very similar in terms of that feeling you get after starting it - "what have I done - am I going to be able to pull this off" 😬

[@carllamb6711]

@@CharlieDIYte and as always mate you do. Full credit to you mate 👍👍

[@wolstenholmess8148]

The remark about the contractor sadly resonated the most. It shouldn’t be down to the client to evaluate/check their work.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Exactly 👊

[@DocteGaby]

Kudos to you! 🥵

[@kingloser4198]

Time Team's back? 🙂 I have founf A LOT of broken glass in my garden, as well as building material. Very annoying.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Yes! I've found whole bottle banks on this project. Maybe recycling wasn't a thing back in the day, but burying stuff in your garden.... ?? 🤷‍♂️

[@TwilightRage2099]

I would have used a Air Spade instead of a digger. So much faster with that kind of soil and so much safer (you don't have to worry about breaking pipes or wires).

[@CharlieDIYte]

Yes, I like that - the only issue being I don't have a compressor.

[@alexbarr4619]

How long did you spend on this???

[@The-tg5zg]

I work in highways and deal with utilities regularly. Your contractor not laying the pipe to correct depth is very typical I’m afraid. They are probably used to being contracted by the public utility companies who rarely check their work and because they get paid by the metre they just want to get through it as fast as possible. BT being the absolute worst, I’ve seen their supposedly buried cable hung along fence posts on a few occasions! Your doing the right thing with the sand. We normally do 100mm bed of sand, then 200mm cover depending on where it is. This doubles as a visual cue when excavating in future along with your tape (kudos for that btw). Not sure about water but data and electricity usually goes in a duct for added protection and future serviceability. Another tip would be to use a non toothed shovel on your excavator for this exact reason. Their meant for big scoops whereas when working near utilities you should be doing nothing more than little scrapes. We never use them.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Cheers buddy, really appreciate the comment. Yes I've bedded the MDPE in sand, with pea gravel on top, a layer of reasonably syringe few soil/sand, then small stones and other debris from the excavation followed by the tape and then top soil. Packing it carefully has also meant the trench is well bedded and less likely to slump which is important as I'm laying a path over it right now. 👍

[@tamariderr]

How did you know that the old clay pipes were completely unused and therefore could just hack through them?

[@minneenca482]

i don't think the insulation you had used on the pipe to the tap can be used externally ,otherwise great video as always

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks. I'll check on the insulation. 👍

[@westwonic]

Shouldn't that outside tap should be equipped with a non-return valve?

[@CharlieDIYte]

It's got one on the internal plumbing as I explained in the video. I didn't want to fit a non return on the tap itself as I wanted to be able to use the drain off valve in the winter.

[@ericconnor8419]

It is only a good idea to do it yourself if your time is meaningless, we would have moled that in a day with no lawn damage i's a big trench for a small pipe and cable. It would have been smarter to route the cable along the base of the wall in a conduit or cable protector just below ground level if you must do it yourself, trenching next to houses is always a nightmare of services and defunct pipes.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Fair point. You still need to get the water 750mm deep though 🤔

[@ZanderKaneUK]

Is that lagging the interior type? I thought the exterior type is black? And is UV resistant?

[@CharlieDIYte]

I suspect it is.

[@ZylonFPV]

Are you going to do anything about the depth of your mains water pipe the contractor put in? Depending on how long ago it was, it might be worth contacting them with a complaint.

[@CharlieDIYte]

I did contact him and got a pathetic response - " there must have been a reason why I did that". He went to all the trouble of lagging it and putting it in land drain. Would have been so much easier to just lay it at the correct depth first

[@ZylonFPV]

@@CharlieDIYte ahhh… “there must have been a reason I did that” -> yeah, sheer lazyness 🤔

[@hexboxx735]

Top job

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks 👊

[@andypowell108]

Why not put a length of underground drainage pipe whenever you dig a trench? then in the future your can run or re-run any services without digging it up again also protects against stones etc damaging the piper/cables

[@CharlieDIYte]

It's a good point. I guess it just adds a fair bit to the cost for something I don't intend to dig back up - except where I put that T in.

[@JohnJones-oy3md]

2:35 - Mind. Blown.

[@CharlieDIYte]

It's good isn't it. I didn't realise they could do this!!

[@joecurran]

Use a gummy bucket ,750 down sounds good, but your contractor knew when he took one look at the wall of the house that there was pipes everywhere, waj in no mans land,no footpath, no services installed parallel to the house, with heavy duty water mains if you're down 400 you need ever worry about the pipes freezing over and I'm sure the contractor would have run all your services underneath a footpath for you If you agreed a price before works commenced which probably wouldn't have cost you an awful lot more than it did for the plant you had to use for scratching around the garden and causing unnecessary damage to the existing services, you haven't made things any better believe me, maybe the bit of lagging on the stand pipe might be a help sorry but don't be tempted to hire play toys unless you have followed one for years and have a background in groundworks, could have been worse you might have found gas or a high voltage cable or both, contractors would have the technology with them to detect pipes under ground and when contractors come on site to get your crap on the move again no one will come near them to moan, this is not right, that's not right could you move that over 40mm, surely you should know that boulder was there, why did you put the top soil in that corner and not the one half a mile away and if there is a problem to be solved the reply is usually, I'll have to ask the Mrs or leave it with me and I'll get back to ya and all of this is shouted at you from a great distance and you can be sure he won't get back to ya but the Mrs might but one thing is for sure you won't be there for 5mins. longer than your needed and when you're gone the shit on the lovely lawn and that awful smell is quickly forgot about and all the other things that weren't in the budget should have been done while you were at that sure it was a no brainer,why would you do it that way, surly it would have been easier to do it our way, etc I suppose there's a bit of a builder in everyone.

[@bikerchrisukk]

Wow, 7 PSI? (nice vid)

[@CharlieDIYte]

I had to fit a reducing valve to the downstairs toilet because it kept blowing the new Skylo fill valve. Fully open the pressure was off the scale. The whole house is reduced to 3 bar now for the new unvented water tank.

[@bikerchrisukk]

@@CharlieDIYte Blimey, is your place an ex farm or something? Trying to figure why it's so high.

[@ronnyb5890]

i had the same kind of ground when digging my trench for my gasline,gas wich is now almost unpayable because of the high price pfff

[@CharlieDIYte]

It's terrible isn't it right now. I hear gas prices are coming down. Let's hope it continues!

[@ronnyb5890]

@@CharlieDIYte i hope so too Charlie,have a great week mate

[@scottmclean4237]

You seem to have no fear of messing up? Very good

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks Scott. There's no other option, and demoralising though this has been at times, I'm loving the learning process 😉

[@markosborne5510]

Harder or easier than the garage roof ?

[@CharlieDIYte]

Similar Mark in the sense that after starting it I kept saying to myself "WHAT ARE YOU DOING - are you going to be able to pull this off?". And also similar with that "so far in not being scared of the dark anymore" thing 😉👍

[@Theosplaytime]

If it's regulations, did you not call the builder and ask them what was going on. I'd have asked for them to fix it. Especially as you have a very lucky escape with digging

[@CharlieDIYte]

I did ask him why he didn't bury it to the right depth and got a pathetic response. I haven't got the time to get into a lengthy dispute with him over this.

[@odds87]

Couldn’t you go back to your contractor about the pipe depth not being to regs?

[@Swwils]

How come you didn't use wireless water?

[@CharlieDIYte]

🤦 Arrggh why didn't I think of that 🤣

[@miker8149]

👍👍

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks 👊

[@blawford]

Try Loctite 55 instead of PTFE, allows you to back the fitting off to get the correct alignment and is generally better to work with - kzbin.info/www/bejne/boKvY6CQhd6mr9E

[@CharlieDIYte]

That's a very good point Ben and the plumber was using that or something similar when he installed my new unvented water tank. Actually maybe he used 641 as he used a compound rather than a cord.

[@stephencarter6634]

Not a straightforward job, well done 👍

[@suj1945]

Nice one Charl. You should get some money back off the wankers that didn't lay the water pipe properly.

[@CharlieDIYte]

I should !! I'd waste a lot of time trying sadly and wouldn't get any so I'll resigned to leaving it as is.

[@bigbark4627]

Fook me! Well done, that looks like a huge "DIY" job! 😖

[@CharlieDIYte]

Cheers mate. The path I'm laying on top is proving to be equally epic. Video hopefully this weekend.

[@bigbark4627]

OK.... U'v sucked me in, I'm now a subscriber! 😁👌