Name:	alatraveler50 -	Reply
Subject:	Cable Locator
Date:	10/22/2015 11:01:37 AM

I'm in need of a cable locator, like a metal detector but much stonger, to use for an hour or two.  Was wondering if anyone had one I could borrow or rent or if you know of anyone else who has one I could contact.  811 supposedly won't locate on private property and engineers want an arm and a leg.

Thanks

Name:	Bama for Life -	Reply
Subject:	Cable Locator
Date:	10/23/2015 1:54:54 PM

811 will locate on private property.  If you tell them you are digging, they will send someone out.

Name:	alatraveler50 -	Reply
Subject:	Cable Locator
Date:	10/25/2015 7:06:43 PM

811 will come out if you are digging IF there is a UTILITY LINE (water, gas, power, phone, etc) on your property.  What I have is an empty PVC conduit that I need to locate.  I have a means of putting wire which can be located into the conduit.

Name:	JTenn -	Reply
Subject:	Cable Locator
Date:	10/26/2015 7:28:21 AM

Put the wire in then call them.

Name:	josey -	Reply
Subject:	Cable Locator
Date:	10/26/2015 8:24:45 AM

They will not locate private lines.  Only public utilities.

Name:	Buteye -	Reply
Subject:	Cable Locator
Date:	10/26/2015 12:18:30 PM

Do you have a general idea where the PVC is located? For example, if it is running from the lake up to your house and you think you know approximately where it may be, try digging a few feet across that location and see if you hit the PVC. Of course if the PVC is under concrete this will not work. My suggestion may be completely out in left field, but in trying to visualize your situation, this is one thought that came to mind. Good luck!!

Name:	alatraveler50 -	Reply
Subject:	Cable Locator
Date:	10/26/2015 4:07:37 PM

About 5-6 years ago I had to have my septic field moved up on the hill above my house.  I trenched for and laid 130' of 2" water pipe for the field from the pump.  While I was at it, I laid 1/2" electrical PVC for future use, with pull line in it.  All of this is about 24" in the ground.  Now I want to pull wire in the conduit but my pull line has discentigraded and clogged the PVC.  I know "ABOUT" where it is.  I've dug 2 holes already and haven't gotten there yet.  I figured if I can get a cable locator, I can put a steel fish tape in the pipe and locate exactly where 'it' is and dig there, cut the pvc, clean it out, and pull my wire (I get air at the other end when I blow with a blow/vac).

I appreciate the help.  I just need something I can locate with down 1-1/2' to 2' below ground.

Name:	GoneFishin -	Reply
Subject:	Cable Locator
Date:	10/26/2015 5:07:46 PM

After you run the steel fish tape, borrow a metal detector to find the tape inside the PVC. Then, dig down and cut the pipewhere the fish tape ends  and do it again to the next section.

This is just something I came up with and have no idea if the detector can read down that far and through the PVC. Others maybe able to help on that part.

Name:	MrHodja -	Reply
Subject:	Slight Modification
Date:	10/26/2015 6:42:45 PM

I don't think a metal detector will work beyond an inch or two of soil.  Lake Plumber has a "Cadillac" model detector and could probably speak with more authority on that.

Building on GF's fish tape suggestion, why don't you put a fish tape down the pipe until the clog stops it, mark the fish tape at the entry to the pipe, then pull it out and measure how far the fish tape went into the hole?  If you have a fair idea of the course of the pipe you could dig at that point.  Heck, you could just lay the fish tape on the ground above the pipe run and leave the tape measure in your tool box!

jes sayin'.....

Name:	George -	Reply
Subject:	Slight Modification
Date:	10/28/2015 11:44:12 AM

How about a small air compressor (like the ones that nail guns use).  I use one to blow out my a/c drain line whenever it clogs.

Name:	alatraveler50 -	Reply
Subject:	Slight Modification
Date:	10/28/2015 11:22:09 PM

Got the problem solved.  Thanks for all your ideas and help.

Thanks

Name:	Buteye -	Reply
Subject:	Slight Modification
Date:	10/29/2015 2:42:11 AM

How did you finally find the pipe, only the curious minds want to know?

Name:	alatraveler50 -	Reply
Subject:	Slight Modification
Date:	10/29/2015 4:45:16 PM

You really want to know, huh?  First off, I spent over 30 years in the electrical industry.  And I had a bunch of my old 'power fishing' equipment samples.  Most are shot but a few still work.

I had filled my pvc with water last week since I knew it was filthy with 5+ years of dirt and my pulling tape to kind of clean it out.  Then I closed off the lower end of it with duct tape and refilled with water.  An old trick is that if you have a break in the line, the water will fill the holes, usually enough to blow a line thru.  I hooked up my old CO2 bottle and hit it with a good shot of pressure.  It's pretty stout, better than a blower/vac can ever do.  Undoubtedly, the water had loosened everything up enough that it blew all the dirt and my pull tape out the closed off end.  It's been 20+ years since I've done that and I had forgotten just how bad it could be at the closed off end but my wife found out.  She was a bit too close and got covered in $&*#.  Luckily she still loves me.  I've got water and dawn in the pipe now to clean it out.  I will blow it out again in a few more days with water and then air.  Then I can blow a pull line in the pvc so I can pull my wire.

Name:	George -	Reply
Subject:	Slight Modification
Date:	10/29/2015 5:51:48 PM

I love a happy ending.