 
Over 698,000 strictly plumbing related posts
Plumbing education, information, advice, help and suggestions are provided by some of the most experienced plumbers who wish to "give back" to society. Since 1996 we have been the best online (strictly) PLUMBING advice site. If you have questions about plumbing, toilets, sinks, faucets, drains, sewers, water filters, venting, water heating, showers, pumps, and other strictly PLUMBING related issues then you've come to the right place. Please refrain from asking or discussing legal questions, or pricing, or where to purchase products, or any business issues, or for contractor referrals, or any other questions or issues not specifically related to plumbing. Keep all posts positive and absolutely no advertising. Our site is completely free, without ads or pop-ups and we don't tract you. We absolutely do not sell your personal information. We are made possible by: 
|
|
Author:
tom650 (CA)
I discovered a 60 year old galvanized pipe line in my yard and need to test if it is abandoned or still connected.
I cannot find the end of this line.
I have tried listening for water flow with an engine stethoscope and do not hear anything. With water running full blast in my house.
I am 99% sure this pipe was abandoned when new copper line was installed up from the water meter.
But ... is there any way to fully test for water inside the pipe before I cut it?
Thanks for all help.
Edited 1 times.
|
|
Post Reply
|
|
|
Author:
packy (MA)
i would just have a repair clamp standing by and make a hacksaw cut into the pipe.
not too large but big enough to find out if water squirts out or not.
if it is indeed alive just put a clamp over it.
|
|
Post Reply
|
|
|
Author:
hj (AZ)
drilling a small hole would be better.
|
|
Post Reply
|
|
|
Author:
tom650 (CA)
Thanks for both suggestions!
I was thinking of drilling a small hole, then hopefully welding it back shut if needed.
I guess there is no way to measure the density of an empty pipe vs. a water-filled one, like a stud finder measures wall density?
|
|
Post Reply
|
|
|
Author:
hj (AZ)
EVEN if it has water in it, which is very likely, there is no way for you to tell if it is under pressure or just lying there, without drilling the hole.
|
|
Post Reply
|
|
|
Author:
sum (FL)
"need to test if it is abandoned or still connected."
it could be both. It could be abandoned but still connected to the other lines but a buried corroded valve has shut it off.
What I do sometimes for EMT, rigid electrical conduits or wires, I would use a continuity tester one one end you attach to a piece of conductor and ground, then a probe that detect with an increasing and decreasing sound will tell you if the other end is continuous.
How deep is this thing buried? If shallow, or you found the other end but not sure it's really the other end this may be useful.
|
|
Post Reply
|
|
|
Author:
tom650 (CA)
If I drill the hole and need to plug it I guess I could tap thread it and install a machine screw with faucet washer?
|
|
Post Reply
|
|
|
Author:
tom650 (CA)
Good idea, thanks. I found what might or might not be the end: a blob of concrete that looks like it was used as a plug 50 years ago. After that, the pipe takes a 45 degree uphill turn. Both lines are inside the blob of concrete but if there is no continuity I can be pretty sure the metal has been cut separate. Unless the dirt and concrete and underground dampness complete the test circuit.
|
|
Post Reply
|
|
|
Author:
hj (AZ)
Why bother. If it DOES have pressure, then put a repair clamp over the hole and if not leave the hole open.
|
|
Post Reply
|
Please note:
- Inappropriate messages or blatant advertising will be deleted. We cannot be held responsible for bad or inadequate advice.
- Plbg.com has no control over external content that may be linked to from messages posted here. Please follow external links with caution.
- Plbg.com is strictly for the exchange of plumbing related advice and NOT to ask about pricing/costs, nor where to find a product (try Google), nor how to operate or promote a business, nor for ethics (law) and the like questions.
- Plbg.com is also not a place to ask radiant heating (try HeatingHelp.com), electrical or even general construction type questions. We are exclusively for plumbing questions.
Search for plumbing parts on our sponsor's site:
Special thanks to our sponsor:
|