Water leak question

[Aerovette]

Originally Posted by KenHorse

If sprinkler heads are the ones leaking, the problem has to be the valve(s) that control them

Heads can't leak with the system off.

There's no water flowing to them. Also, the sprinkler has its own flow indicator and it does not move when not in use.

[Bill]

Originally Posted by Aerovette

Heads can't leak with the system off.

There's no water flowing to them. Also, the sprinkler has its own flow indicator and it does not move when not in use.

coathanger + sharpshooter shovel, + hacksaw + assorted pvc fittings + a can of the purple stuff, and a sement of pvc pipe + several hours. Expect to break a sprinkler line or two, also.

Bright side: it should be easy to make holes in supersaturated soil.

[KenHorse]

Originally Posted by Aerovette

Heads can't leak with the system off.

There's no water flowing to them. Also, the sprinkler has its own flow indicator and it does not move when not in use.

How do you know it's off? Is there a shutoff valve (other than the assumed solenoid valve)?

[Aerovette]

Originally Posted by KenHorse

How do you know it's off? Is there a shutoff valve (other than the assumed solenoid valve)?

Yes. Also, there is a flow indicator that is not moving.

[Vandelay Industries]

1. Clamp a 220v, 50A circuit to the water main.

2. Probe ground with a volt meter.

[Bill]

Originally Posted by Vandelay Industries

1. Clamp a 220v, 50A circuit to the water main.

2. Probe ground with a volt meter.

This is Houston....there's a good chance the supply line to the house is pvc, and they don't put tracer wires on them like the gas company does with their plastic yellow pipe.

Good thought, though. If Aero electrocutes himself, it will no longer be a problem for him.

[Anjdog2003]

Have her move in with you, problem solved.

[Bill]

Originally Posted by Anjdog2003

Have her move in with you, problem solved.

Originally Posted by Bill

There is a break, yes, it's in between the meter and the house. Time to break out the coathanger "divining rod" and locate the water pipe. You do that by running a bunch of water through, maybe run a couple of bathtubs, grasp the bent rod loosely, and walk perpendicular to the way the pipe must run. Keep doing that, and you'll have an idea where the line runs. You'll know when you are over the pipe. Serious. I've seen the old timer pipeliners locate pipelines that way, and they are generally spot on, confirmed with an actual pipe locator that chases cathodic protection, or the electric the locator pipe shoots into the pipe.

Could be a root, could also be a pvc coupling that the glue has failed on, and is now leaking. Depending on the age of the home, the pipe might be down a couple of feet, but most probably is about 18", from what I have seen.

If you have the luxury of time, have her cut off the water at the meter for a week or two, wait for the lawn to dry up, then turn the water back on. When you see the wet spot form, there's the spot.

Bonus, she can just come stay with you for that week while there's no water at the house!

Otherwise, you'll just have to start digging random spots along the water line. When you do excavate a spot, you might see some water traveling along the outside of the pipe, which will tell you that the leak is upstream of where you just dug.

[Anjdog2003]

Did we ever get pics of her?

[Aerovette]

She's about 4'11" and under 100lbs...probably 90-95. Owns her house...no raccoons.

Have to settle for a Halloween picture.

(Picture removed)

[Vandelay Industries]

Originally Posted by Bill

This is Houston....there's a good chance the supply line to the house is pvc, and they don't put tracer wires on them like the gas company does with their plastic yellow pipe.

Good thought, though. If Aero electrocutes himself, it will no longer be a problem for him.

Good point. I was assuming this was in a civilized area with lead pipes.

[Bill]

Originally Posted by Aerovette

She's about 4'11" and under 100lbs...probably 90-95. Owns her house...no raccoons.

Have to settle for a Halloween picture.

Cutie! Thread delivers! Invite her to join the VB, and you should probably take her out to dinner and a show.....to talk about the plumbing issues, ostensibly.

[Aerovette]

Originally Posted by Bill

Cutie! Thread delivers! Invite her to join the VB, and you should probably take her out to dinner and a show.....to talk about the plumbing issues, ostensibly.

Many years ago, I was firmly planted in the "friendzone" so no investment is being made. Just being helpful if I can be.

[slewfoot]

Originally Posted by Aerovette

Many years ago, I was firmly planted in the "friendzone" so no investment is being made. Just being helpful if I can be.

Let me tell you, Gods truth here. One of my working buds (he's 66) here and I still keep in touch and do lunch once a month. For several years now he has been taking care of a lady who is now 90.

She had a husband and 2 adult kids. Husband died 20 years ago. Daughter died in a car accident and the son shot himself. So, she was alone and slowly asking for help with this and that.

About 5 years ago, she moved in with and his wife. Sold her home in the upscale area. She made them the only heirs for which she has a net worth of around 5 mil.

So keep doing what you do with her, you never know.

[Bill]

Originally Posted by slewfoot

Let me tell you, Gods truth here. One of my working buds (he's 66) here and I still keep in touch and do lunch once a month. For several years now he has been taking care of a lady who is now 90.

She had a husband and 2 adult kids. Husband died 20 years ago. Daughter died in a car accident and the son shot himself. So, she was alone and slowly asking for help with this and that.

About 5 years ago, she moved in with and his wife. Sold her home in the upscale area. She made them the only heirs for which she has a net worth of around 5 mil.

So keep doing what you do with her, you never know.

Helping someone is its own reward. Thinking, "oh, maybe I'll get something on the back end of this deal," that's just not right.

[Aerovette]

Originally Posted by Bill

Helping someone is its own reward. Thinking, "oh, maybe I'll get something on the back end of this deal," that's just not right.

I help her because it pisses me off that companies/mechanics/services will rip-off women because they are unable to do things for themselves.

I had her watch what I did and I explained everything I checked and why. I explained why some things are ruled out and some others could be the cause.

I told her what to tell the plumbing companies she calls so they will know she isn't at their mercy.

I feel sorry for the elderly and for still feminine women. Anyone else that is helpless...tough titties. Should have gotten your hands dirty a long time ago.

[Yadkin]

Originally Posted by Bill

Helping someone is its own reward. Thinking, "oh, maybe I'll get something on the back end of this deal," that's just not right.

When I help neighbors and they want to pay, I ask for a bottle of whiskey instead. It makes them feel that they are not taking advantage of me.

[Bill]

Originally Posted by Aerovette

I help her because it pisses me off that companies/mechanics/services will rip-off women because they are unable to do things for themselves.

I had her watch what I did and I explained everything I checked and why. I explained why some things are ruled out and some others could be the cause.

I told her what to tell the plumbing companies she calls so they will know she isn't at their mercy.

I feel sorry for the elderly and for still feminine women. Anyone else that is helpless...tough titties. Should have gotten your hands dirty a long time ago.

I had an electrical problem years back, so I called one of the companies that advertises. Quick response, younger guy comes over, and almost immediately diagnoses my problem....I need a whole new fuse box. Uh, OK. Called a guy recommended by one of my employees, he came by after work. He diagnosed two problems, first, in my kitchen, I've got 4 switches wired together, so you can imagine the big jumble of wires around each screw. A screw had backed off of one switch, so that's why the power was fluctuating in the kitchen. That solved my problem.

Then he looked at the fuse box and found another problem.....grounds had been run to a neutral bar by the builder, and the code enforcement didn't catch it. He fixed that for me, too, and I haven't had any trouble since.

Never did get that whole new fuse box. I suspect the guy wanting to sell me that saw the incorrect wiring to neutrals, figured that was the problem and figured I was good for a complete rewiring with a new fuse box.

I'll admit to bein

[ZipZap]

Originally Posted by Bill

I had an electrical problem years back, so I called one of the companies that advertises. Quick response, younger guy comes over, and almost immediately diagnoses my problem....I need a whole new fuse box. Uh, OK. Called a guy recommended by one of my employees, he came by after work. He diagnosed two problems, first, in my kitchen, I've got 4 switches wired together, so you can imagine the big jumble of wires around each screw. A screw had backed off of one switch, so that's why the power was fluctuating in the kitchen. That solved my problem.

Then he looked at the fuse box and found another problem.....grounds had been run to a neutral bar by the builder, and the code enforcement didn't catch it. He fixed that for me, too, and I haven't had any trouble since.

Never did get that whole new fuse box. I suspect the guy wanting to sell me that saw the incorrect wiring to neutrals, figured that was the problem and figured I was good for a complete rewiring with a new fuse box.

I'll admit to bein

As a veteran of one of these experiences...

They did not expect air fryers, toasters, and microwaves operating at the same time

[Big bob]

Originally Posted by Yadkin

When I help neighbors and they want to pay, I ask for a bottle of whiskey instead. It makes them feel that they are not taking advantage of me.