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pstbltit85 t1_jdagu67 wrote

I've used home made Divining rods with success for water lines. Wouldn't it be likely that the well water line and electric were run in a common ditch? Might carefully dig and find out. But I would likely contact a underground location service and find out the cost. Better than saying "Oh Shit!" when you hit the sewer line or quivering on the ground while you are being electrocuted.

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InvertedOpticsPhoto OP t1_jdah1oz wrote

Thanks. I was thinking that the electrical and water might run in the same ditch. Definitely don’t want to have an “oh s***” moment in either scenario. Was thinking I’m just going to try to find some companies and get quotes tomorrow. Thanks!

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SkwrlTail t1_jda6dlp wrote

Well, the septic should be easy - look for the cleanout. There will be a wide black plastic pipe with a plug with a square bump for a wrench. You might have a couple, especially if your municipality does separate gray and black lines.

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InvertedOpticsPhoto OP t1_jda6l7c wrote

So the cleanout is circled in one of the pictures and I have a private septic tank. I’m not sure if the line comes under the porch or around the side of the house. Also, not sure how deep that line is. I need to drill into the concrete and pavers

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sti-wrx t1_jdadjbt wrote

At work this past summer we were excavating WITH full blueprints and still hit a gas line. I would highly advise getting line locating done if there is ANY chance of hitting your electric line.

(I’m an electrician)

It’s expensive to do it, but you will feel pretty stupid if you end up in the hospital or worse just to save a buck.

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InvertedOpticsPhoto OP t1_jdadqdh wrote

Damn. Good point and I wasn’t trying to cut corners around safety. I was just really thinking there’s a safe economical way to do it. Thanks.

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sti-wrx t1_jdagfit wrote

No sweat. I like to give my perspective when possible about electrical safety because it’s an important part of my day to day.

If you have some visual cues you can possibly hand excavate (gently/with a shovel finding the utility and then excavating following the cable) for a small section. I’m not certain exactly the scope of your project either, so this may not

If you hit your incoming power you are relying on the protection device outside your home to cut the power. The potential for fault current is much higher than if you were to work on a plug inside your home.

Good luck with the project.

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InvertedOpticsPhoto OP t1_jdagnui wrote

Thanks alot. I was thinking hand digging to get an idea but I’ll probably just start with some phone calls to see what quotes look like. This is really delaying my project and I need to get it done before rainy season.

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OregonCoastGreenman t1_jdaf4kj wrote

The safest way to do it is hand dig, with a water jet and vac system...

Hand digging with shovel is second safest. Still can damage a conduit, or hit direct bury cables if not careful.

I have seen contractors use a fiberglass probe rod with a T handle here, to locate pipes up to 2’ deep. But we have soft wet soil most places here. Would not work so easily in hard pack gravel or hard/dry clay soils.

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InvertedOpticsPhoto OP t1_jdagrcd wrote

Thanks was thinking to hand dig but I still need to pinpoint the pipes under the concrete. I have soft sandy soil here.

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Guygan t1_jdagbcb wrote

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