Putting Pipe under driveway

[son93sl2]

So i'm building a home and thinking about building in items to help with future expandability for electrical items like exterior lighting or an electric dog fence. Our driveway is not poured yet so I can put a pipe that runs under the concrete. What size pipe should I get and is there a special kind of PVC pipe? What thickness pipe I should get?

[SilverBullitt]

I just built a home and had that done under my driveway and all my sidewalks. They used a piece of plastic electrical conduit that was designed to run underground. It looked about 3.5"-4" in diameter.

One tip if you do this, be sure they put it pretty deep and add extra rebar & wire mesh over it. I already have a hairline crack on the driveway right above that pipe. The builder told me this was likely when they were installing it, and his forecast came true.

[mrvette]

Originally Posted by SilverBullitt

I just built a home and had that done under my driveway and all my sidewalks. They used a piece of plastic electrical conduit that was designed to run underground. It looked about 3.5"-4" in diameter.

One tip if you do this, be sure they put it pretty deep and add extra rebar & wire mesh over it. I already have a hairline crack on the driveway right above that pipe. The builder told me this was likely when they were installing it, and his forecast came true.

Sounds about right, not that a crack says much....really, hell, here in Florida, a one inch offset in sidewalks/drives is not much....should see some spots....

I been lucky so far....just a filler over a hump in the front sidewalk, drive has been fine.....knocking on my solid mahogany desk.....

[VITE1]

As others have said bury it deep and make sure it's reinforced. Also make sure you get it marked off really well. I had it done in three places and could only find two after a few years.

[HellCat]

How do you put a conduit under an existing driveway or sidewalk? Ground is sand.

[mrvette]

Originally Posted by HellCat

How do you put a conduit under an existing driveway or sidewalk? Ground is sand.

Simple in the case of a sidewalk, ASSuming it's a typical yard wide across the lawn in front, making a tree lawn as a separate chunk of grass from your front lawn .......it's only about 4-6" deep, an so to pick out a slab to tunnel under, they are segmented, and to dig out from each side and then to connect into the middle, and run the pipe through.....that's about all I did, under an expanse of drive, I have not the gear or the DRIVE!!!!!

[VITE1]

Originally Posted by HellCat

How do you put a conduit under an existing driveway or sidewalk? Ground is sand.

Pound it.

[Jeff '79]

[99 pewtercoupe]

I couldn't believe this thread got this far without a laying pipe reference

You guys are slipping.

[son93sl2]

I asked the builder, he said 1" pipe no problem, they do it all the time. 4" sounds like it's too big. Any other thoughts?

[DAB]

Originally Posted by son93sl2

I asked the builder, he said 1" pipe no problem, they do it all the time. 4" sounds like it's too big. Any other thoughts?

if you think you need 2, put in 4. not that expensive now to add some spares.

run them well past the edge of the planned driveway, say 10 feet, then have a sweep elbow up to a capped end. you can always dig back down and join to them later. buy a pair of fake boulders to cover the stubs.

[Mike Mercury]

Originally Posted by son93sl2

I asked the builder, he said 1" pipe no problem, they do it all the time. 4" sounds like it's too big. Any other thoughts?

if 1" won't cut it, then go with two 1"... seperated a little.

Like SilverBullitt already mentioned, too large a diameter and you setup a place for the concrete/asphalt to develop a crack.

[son93sl2]

Originally Posted by Mike Mercury

if 1" won't cut it, then go with two 1"... seperated a little.

Like SilverBullitt already mentioned, too large a diameter and you setup a place for the concrete/asphalt to develop a crack.

I think 1" would be fine. So I should get long pieces of PVC and join them together for the builder yeah? I can't just get a 20' piece and have it fit in my car.

[DAB]

Grey PVC conduit typically comes in 10' sections. Joined with PVC glue.

[Rob]

Originally Posted by son93sl2

I think 1" would be fine. So I should get long pieces of PVC and join them together for the builder yeah? I can't just get a 20' piece and have it fit in my car.

Just get 250 1" long pieces of 1" pipe and you can make it exactly the length you want

[DAB]

Originally Posted by Dixievet

Just get 250 1" long pieces of 1" pipe and you can make it exactly the length you want

I'm gonna say your strengths are not related to construction.

[RedLS1GTO]

Originally Posted by son93sl2

I think 1" would be fine. So I should get long pieces of PVC and join them together for the builder yeah? I can't just get a 20' piece and have it fit in my car.

If a truck would help you out, give me a shout.

[onedef92]

Would this be a good time to consider a heated driveway, too to melt ice and snow?

[Mike Mercury]

[bill_daniels]

Originally Posted by DAB

I'm gonna say your strengths are not related to construction.

I disagree. That way, he can return any excess pipe to the store for a refund. He won't pay for an extra inch of pipe he doesn't need.

This is why accountants should always be the ones making decisions about construction related things.