How to Find Underground Pipes & Cables

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  • @Mikey-ns6nz
    @Mikey-ns6nz 2 роки тому +43

    Seems like you have found a free water supply. Expect a swimming pool build series will be coming up.

  • @garybroomfield5416
    @garybroomfield5416 2 роки тому +23

    Now that's dedication for you Stuart. Digging up your garden just for our entertainment !
    Appreciate the effort. Keep up the great work !

    • @maciej9280
      @maciej9280 2 роки тому +1

      i kept hearing that line from PeppaPig "we''re digging up the road!!!", yes i do have small kids at home ;)

    • @dg2908
      @dg2908 2 роки тому +3

      you should watch Colin Furze!

  • @fjrkev
    @fjrkev 2 роки тому +2

    One your most amusing videos yet. How I laughed that you didn't press the depth button BEFORE you decided to dig a great big hole in an otherwise perfect lawn. Great vid. Well done

  • @emielhoffer
    @emielhoffer 2 роки тому +11

    Well done Stuart. And at least a lot of people now know how a CAT en Genny work!
    Thanks as always for your insightful videos.

  • @niwty
    @niwty Рік тому +4

    One other little tip for those not conversant with these things that we learned at work a few years ago (I worked in the electrical distribution industry so we actually already knew it but the new apprentice didn’t.😉) Take care if using it on “radio” mode, that you’re not picking up your metal toe caps in your protective footwear! 😂😂😂
    Great video as always Stuart.👍

  • @rorymakesstuff
    @rorymakesstuff 2 роки тому +8

    Just amazed you’ve got that much top soil in a new build! Every time I dig more than a spade deep, all I find is rubble…

    • @keithwebb658
      @keithwebb658 2 роки тому +2

      Usual to find that depth of top soil so it's a good sign that the ground level was raised.
      Organic matter in TS over 300mm deep may start to decompose.

  • @David-xc4us
    @David-xc4us 2 роки тому +14

    I’ve used a CAT and Genny a lot and I’ve got a couple of tips….1. If ur tracking a cable inside to out don’t be tempted to use electric or gas as an earth otherwise u will track that service and not ur cable 2. U need a good earth so if u turn the Genny on and then connect ur earth you will hear ur Genny change in noise, if it doesn’t then it’s not a good earth 3. When u first start to track with ur CAT then do at least a 90 degrees sweep as if the cable is damaged it can bleed noise with the earth but ur cable should always be the loudest 4. If ur CAT doesn’t have depth detection then u can gauge it with the sensitivity toggle as the more u have to wind it up to hear it the deeper it will be….hope this helps

  • @Quaker521
    @Quaker521 2 роки тому +3

    I found that quite interesting as we have one at work. Not that I've used it but I do send it off each year for calibration! Thanks for all of the hard work digging a hole. As a Brit, I enjoyed sitting here watching you dig! 😂😂

  • @martinhunt6004
    @martinhunt6004 2 роки тому +4

    Good stuff Stuart, your belt and braces approach brings us all huge confidence! Most splendid indeed.

  • @bill8784
    @bill8784 2 роки тому +3

    Fascinating. Watched the first video so was looking forward to the mystery being solved. I take it the leak that you fixed is no part of the redundant pipe.

  • @lewisbrown51
    @lewisbrown51 2 роки тому +33

    He says he doesn't care about finding the end of that pipe but don't believe him, he's an engineer 😂.... this man will be back out with a mini digger and a trench box in a couple of videos... 😂
    Great videos Stuart, thank you!

    • @jaywalt1311
      @jaywalt1311 2 роки тому +2

      I surely hope so! It wasn't an abandoned pipe or it wouldn't have had water to it Id imagine but I could be wrong... I think a fish tape might be better than that stiff cable...

    • @sotired7453
      @sotired7453 Рік тому

      😂

  • @andrewofford1533
    @andrewofford1533 2 роки тому +3

    The Old Cat & Genny...... Had many a goodtime using these, looking for 11KV Cables.....

  • @totherarf
    @totherarf Рік тому +1

    I use a Cat and Genny regularly at work.
    Mine is a bit older being a Cat3 and the genny is a little different too.
    The main difference in the Genny is that it sends a pulse that is echoed in the Cat (a rapid Beep Beep Beep) but it is only detectable as such on the correct setting on the Cat!
    If you just use it to find an underground mains cable (say your service cable feeding your house that you don't want to build an extension over) it comes across as a humming. For additional ease of detection we have an induction loop that you can clamp, like a clamp meter, round the cable (say under the cutout) so there need not be any electrical contact! When you connect eather the induction loop or the direct connections the beeping tonne changes so you know you have a good signal.
    This is an essential tool if you are doing any kind of regular digging .... installing fences and gates or you are a builder and will pay for itself the first time you do not dig through a cable!
    It does pick up Gas pipes too! ;o)

  • @earlyriser8998
    @earlyriser8998 2 роки тому +1

    Stuart,
    We had exactly the same problem trying to find a 70 yr(?) old septic system. We used a CAT system and pushed a wire 20 ft down the line and the pipe was so deep that it lost it ~10 ft from the house. In the end we dug a big hole with a backhoe to find the line and tanks that had been 'over buried' when they remodeled the house and brought in a lot of fill. The septic had no cleanout in the lid, and had never been pumped out. We changed lids, added a 3 feet of riser, and finally pumped out the septic that had a lot of grease in it.
    We were 'so' confident that the CAT system would find it and it just lost the signal.
    PS long time Patreon

    • @ProperDIY
      @ProperDIY  2 роки тому

      That I think is good going and makes my little pipe look very small by comparison - nice one!

  • @m4ckm4n59
    @m4ckm4n59 2 роки тому +1

    Why am I watching this. Why do I care where the pipe ends. I literally have the internet at my finger tips.. I could be researching anything!!
    Stuart, you are obviously a great presenter. I honestly could see you being on the tele. Alan tichmarsh of DIY. Good work buddy :)

  • @AlistairGunn-y1b
    @AlistairGunn-y1b Рік тому +6

    You pressed the depth button on the CAT and held it to get the depth reading and it displayed 'M', this is for a Sonde (Mouse). You should have pressed the depth button and let go and it would have given you an accurate reading and displayed 'G' for Genny which you were using at the time. 🙂

  • @thejudge-kv2jk
    @thejudge-kv2jk 10 днів тому

    Thank you. Helped with my HSE test.

  • @andyc972
    @andyc972 2 роки тому

    Thanks Stuart, really interesting, thanks for your experience in this area, and sorry you had to dig up your lawn to share this content !

  • @ben2e0omr
    @ben2e0omr 2 роки тому

    Mrs.DIY is going to love you

  • @larsmenken2679
    @larsmenken2679 2 роки тому +3

    You say there is no way to dig deeper, but you also know it makes great content … 😊
    And where does it come from? Do you really have free water? Do you contact your supplier again?

  • @videostarish
    @videostarish 2 роки тому +2

    If you ever need to thread a cable through an existing pipe or conduit, one way is to get a small plastic bag, & tie it to one end of a long line of string, then push it into the pipe, and at the other end of the pipe, hold a vacuum cleaner hose, & turn-on the vacuum, which will suck the bag & string through in seconds..! then tie the string to cable, & pull it back through the pipe...,! 👍👍

  • @John01GM40
    @John01GM40 2 роки тому

    you may have used that as an engineer but you got the same outcome that happened to me when an electrician said the supply feed to my consumer unit was very old and "leaking". can't remember exact details but some sort of mineral covered wire which had an oil "infused" insulation.
    Anyway point of the story, the electrician could not work on that side of the consumer unit so called out UK power networks - man rolls up in van and tries to find incoming supply to inspect its condition outside the house rather than digging thru the floorboards. 30 minutes of walking up and down 10ft of lawn and he gave up and went away saying can't find it, but all such supply wires "leak", so not to worry.
    As I'm planning an extension on that face of the house I'll bet I find it in due course !

  • @Keepingthefaith72
    @Keepingthefaith72 2 роки тому +3

    We used to have Cat & Genny trackers at BT to track faulty telephone cables, But never had much faith in them. I always adapted BT equipment to track the cables with much better results .......

    • @puttinxyilo
      @puttinxyilo 4 місяці тому

      What exactly BT equipment are you referring to?

    • @Keepingthefaith72
      @Keepingthefaith72 4 місяці тому +1

      @@puttinxyilo I used to track BT cables with a Tone & amplifier ( Oscillator ), I Also used to find earth faults in buried BT cables with a Tone ( oscillator ). I bet that's blown your mind...

  • @mrspudly1
    @mrspudly1 2 роки тому

    Great video that Stuart, I often see groundworkers waving those around on site and I wonder how they work. Thank you for explaining and demonstrating.

  • @grahamclayton675
    @grahamclayton675 2 роки тому +6

    Mini digger £50 a day to hire !! Might make a good video!😂

  • @philipford3921
    @philipford3921 2 роки тому +1

    That lovely lawn. Easily filled in though.

  • @m0aze611
    @m0aze611 2 роки тому

    Thanks for the vid, useful as I’m thinking of putting some security posts at the bottom of my drive. 👍🏻 kindest regards Mike

  • @howarddavies3744
    @howarddavies3744 2 роки тому +1

    Well, I was entertained so consider it worth it!😂

  • @olson.pamela
    @olson.pamela 2 роки тому +6

    I actually wondered about the other end of the pipe. Where is the water coming from? Ha ha don't do anything on my account Stuart, we all have bigger things to worry about.

  • @ralphtaylor5328
    @ralphtaylor5328 2 роки тому +4

    Pity you could not push the cable the other way to find the source of the water. Not sure if I am dreaming but in the old days cattle troughs were connected without meter to the supply. When your plot was developed the probably capped off the pipe at the tank and left it.

  • @valborchardt3596
    @valborchardt3596 2 роки тому +3

    Thanks Stuart, interesting video but we cant get those goodies here to find pipes…..also would really love to join your patreon page but £3 to us is R60+ ….R20 odd per pound and as pensioners we just cant afford that. But please keep the videos coming, we really enjoy them….

  • @richardphillips3303
    @richardphillips3303 2 роки тому

    Amazing what you find! Time to call in Colin Furze 🤔

  • @engr810
    @engr810 Рік тому

    one again thanks for posting quality work

  • @BusinessButlers
    @BusinessButlers 2 роки тому +5

    Forgive me, Stuart, but I was more interested in where this apparent free-to-use water supply was coming FROM and not where it was going to. It could be junctioned back to either your house supply, your neighbour's or an unmetered lost supply. I cannot recall if you shut off your actual water company stop cock to see if the water from the renegade supply eventually stopped flowing or you politely asked your neighbour to do the same on a different day and monitor it accordingly? The problem is that your channel highlights the issue and unless you use best endeavours, your neighbour or the water company could come after you for additional water usage bills, particularly since it had been discharging into the ground for some time.
    I had this issue in my old house when I was doing a lot of improvements and it was a lead pipe that split underground beyond my water authority stop cock and then went 40ft along the length of the house then it split off again, I think one to the old boiler room and another to the back door kitchen sink. The lead pipe must have been leaking for decades but fortunately at the time, I was not on a meter. I got my builders to lay a new alkyd water supply straight to the new boiler house and all new cold water pipework went from there to supply the entire 7 bedroom house. Soon after, the water company enforced the installation of a water meter and so I was pleased that I had solved the matter.

    • @survivormary1126
      @survivormary1126 4 місяці тому

      I feel the very same. I wanted to know WHERE it's coming from as well.

  • @garulusglandarius6126
    @garulusglandarius6126 2 роки тому +1

    Best wishes Stuart 👍

  • @ChrisDay24
    @ChrisDay24 Рік тому

    Capacitance effect at play I’d assume. The cable isn’t earthed at the far end, so your signal is discharging back to ground over the whole length of the cable. Also you can’t check for a distorted signal with a cat and genny. Need one of the fancier units with peak and null antennas. Your signal path works like any other circuit. Short pipes like that are the trickiest.

  • @HYUKLDER1
    @HYUKLDER1 2 роки тому +1

    I would dig the lawn up too - would just have to know where the mystery pipe goes and where it comes from!
    We once investigated a mystery pipe for a property owner and discovered a neighbouring property had illegally tapped into their neighbour's underground water pipe and was stealing their metered water!

  • @mrgunn2726
    @mrgunn2726 2 роки тому

    Enjoyed this video. In the States there is a national call-before-you-dig service you can ring 811 and they will send folks out to map the cables where you are going to dig, it is free of charge. Two plus meters, keep digging bruv, there is either gold or artifacts down there.

  • @brianwood5220
    @brianwood5220 2 роки тому +1

    Hi Stuart, That's real dedication for you. However, that now has me wondering what the heck it was feeding at almost 3 meters down. Is there some sort of underground bunker (Like Colin Furse'), or a cellar you are not aware of? When you buy a house, your Solicitor has searches done for your property, just to check the ground is stable and has no mine-workings. Maybe this could hold some clues. Thanks for sharing

  • @agavebob3462
    @agavebob3462 Рік тому

    You just learned me somethin new!

  • @isyt1
    @isyt1 2 роки тому +3

    Looks cool.
    I’ve got a big LPG gas tank in the garden and a pipe underground running to the house. Would this be able to tell me where it is?

    • @musheopeaus4125
      @musheopeaus4125 2 роки тому +2

      Yup

    • @keithwebb658
      @keithwebb658 2 роки тому +1

      Yes, especially if the pipe is metallic or if it's big enough insert a cable as in the video.

    • @isyt1
      @isyt1 2 роки тому

      @@keithwebb658 thanks. Yes it’s a metal pipe for sure. Maybe copper

  • @yuriilukkumbure7416
    @yuriilukkumbure7416 2 роки тому +2

    I wonder if adding a small amount of table salt to the water in the pipe and pumping it through, then inserting a 3 meter copper conductor in the electrolyte solution within the pipe attached to the signal generator would provide better signal integrity?

  • @bascodelagamma
    @bascodelagamma 2 роки тому +1

    Appreciate the great work!

  • @1971wizzard
    @1971wizzard 2 роки тому +1

    Fantastic video Stuart, you put yourself in a predicament just to entertain us, now that is excellent work......oh and I learned a great deal about detection, of which I had no prior knowledge. Cheers !!!

  • @konkon2412
    @konkon2412 6 місяців тому

    Thank you for such great video!

  • @flippinheck
    @flippinheck Рік тому

    I have a dig to do soon and I know there is a gas main I will need to cross perpendicular, will a CAT pick that up, can you use the signal injector part on the gas service? would the service point from the house be the place to attach the injector? Sorry for all the questions, I have dug many trenches etc but never used one of these because there's never been a need until now.

  • @q9home1
    @q9home1 2 роки тому +1

    Great video

  • @emdotdee
    @emdotdee 2 роки тому

    Missing my weekly dose of Proper DIY. Hope everything is ok?

  • @awantamta
    @awantamta 2 роки тому

    A very interesting watch

  • @barrywall3333
    @barrywall3333 2 роки тому +2

    Only logical solution is to hire a company to do a GPR study...Worth every penny 😄

  • @michaelhogwood104
    @michaelhogwood104 2 роки тому +1

    Great stuff.

  • @chris-w4n9w
    @chris-w4n9w 2 роки тому

    Youre so good to us.

  • @lloydroberts2435
    @lloydroberts2435 Рік тому

    Not sure if someone’s already committed without reading them all but the noise sounding at 7:28 seconds was the noise you should of been tracing.. use them everyday. Won’t see me digging a hole for no reason 😂

  • @RichardWraith
    @RichardWraith 2 роки тому +1

    Wow, free water, I'd be putting a tap on that pronto to keep the water butt's filled up. Plumb it into the kitchen and washing machine below ground... We wont tell anybody...

  • @survivormary1126
    @survivormary1126 4 місяці тому

    You got me. I have a leaking pipe so clicked on your video. You sucked me in with your mystery, and then you left us all high and dry. Maybe you decided to quietly take advantage of your free water source? Did you test the Water to see if it's runoff or potable? It sure looked like fresh water to me. If you were keeping it capped and that valve on something is not getting water anymore and your assuming it's just the ground, but additionally I'd assume something is backing up somewhere. Did you ask the Neighbor??????? Like watching a series and never seeing the end, which sucks :(

  • @peterpage7322
    @peterpage7322 Рік тому

    On the plus side you seem to have amazing soil!

  • @truth3358
    @truth3358 2 роки тому +1

    Hi any advice on your opinion on tree pruna with extended pole

  • @alth1586
    @alth1586 2 місяці тому

    Could you use braided steel wire if you don't have a length of armored laying around. Need to try and find out where my soakaway are.

  • @CryoGenUK
    @CryoGenUK 2 роки тому

    Thank you, I didn't know about those... I do now. :D

  • @dellcornish
    @dellcornish 2 роки тому

    I reckon that is the water feed to the horses field (as was) - Bet you eventually find something in the field!!!

  • @colinwilson7524
    @colinwilson7524 2 роки тому +3

    I wanted to see you dig to 2.5m to find this pipe :o)

  • @sparking2016
    @sparking2016 7 місяців тому

    In that situation I'd be tempted to tape a bit of 1mm flex to a flexible fish wire & it might travel better/further in the pipe than SWA ?

  • @du7ch384
    @du7ch384 2 роки тому +7

    Next Video, How to fix a hole in your lawn 🤣

  • @johnbell4845
    @johnbell4845 2 роки тому +1

    Oh dear, I am sorry for your lawn, not to mention your workout 😉 The thing is, where did the water go to, beyond the leak 🤔 Why isn’t there a wonderful lake at the edge of your garden, the water had to go somewhere after all 🤷‍♂️

  • @rickyard11
    @rickyard11 2 роки тому +1

    Next week is “how to use a mini digger” week after that “how to use tunnel boring machine”

  • @swingbelly
    @swingbelly Рік тому

    Glad to see that someone finally accepts defeat and moves on. Thank you for the superlative videos. 🍁🍺

  • @jimbo9310
    @jimbo9310 2 роки тому

    Great video Stuart but it’s not over yet, what about the other way please ?

  • @toria-j
    @toria-j Рік тому

    Still astounded that the water company weren't interested in either fixing the leak or finding out who was getting free water! Just hope the remaining pipe doesn't spring another leak in the future.

  • @scotisland
    @scotisland 3 місяці тому

    I wouldn't get the end of the armored wet if you are going to use it. The moisture can migrate up inside and cause corrosion.

  • @kevinlowe7552
    @kevinlowe7552 Рік тому

    I was wondering if you ran a fish tape(thin flexible steel stuff) thru the pipe, would it carry a signal? Can you hook up to a copper pipe and get a signal?

  • @garyhurst5265
    @garyhurst5265 11 місяців тому

    Hiya mate,can a pipe detector work through a tiled wall,cheers

  • @whyaretheyalltaken
    @whyaretheyalltaken 2 роки тому

    This will not suffice. I will come round and dig this 2.8m myself. I cannot rest Stuart. Ruined my weekend,

  • @raycarnis9540
    @raycarnis9540 Рік тому

    It's likely to be a cattle trough, from the field.

  • @alant5335
    @alant5335 2 роки тому +3

    It's a shame you didn't check the depth of the pipe before you dug the hole🙂

  • @bitweb8279
    @bitweb8279 2 роки тому +1

    Where does it come from?

  • @trevordyson8882
    @trevordyson8882 2 роки тому +1

    Come on, don't stop now, get a JCB in to finish the job. 😁

  • @Armadauzbekistan
    @Armadauzbekistan 2 роки тому +2

    I really wanna see from his neighbors perspective, his window

    • @C4sp3r123
      @C4sp3r123 2 роки тому

      He's at it again Bob, this time he has just dug a hole and filled it in again. Thinking about it, I haven't seen his wife for a while now.....

  • @keithwebb658
    @keithwebb658 2 роки тому

    At 10:07 you assume that the pipe runs level.
    My experience, in groundwork tells me never assume anything 🙄😂.
    You already traced the pipe but didn't check the depth reading before starting to dig.
    Let's see what happens.....
    Ok.need I say more. 🤣
    You can also hire a beeper to fix onto a set of rods which when used with the CAT will trace lost pipes and ducts.
    A very useful tool if you don't have semi rigid cable to hand.

  • @adeh503
    @adeh503 2 роки тому

    Very interesting thank you

  • @Steve-dr7rr
    @Steve-dr7rr 2 роки тому

    Hi great videos. Can I ask what would be the best type of screws to get in for woodworking I’m going to be using 2” x 1” 2” x 4” for building table saw cart and some other big bits cheers

    • @thooney2934
      @thooney2934 Рік тому

      8x30mm black plaster board screws are best for your project..

  • @Alexander12547
    @Alexander12547 12 днів тому

    Could have also put the red lead into the pipe full of water and tried to that over dropping the transmitter on it

  • @guymunnings9420
    @guymunnings9420 Рік тому

    Is it not possible to clip the genny onto a metal tap and trace a plastic water pipe that way?

  • @truth3358
    @truth3358 2 роки тому +1

    I bet your wife wasn’t pleased digging the lawn up lol

  • @c.a.g.1977
    @c.a.g.1977 2 роки тому

    Well, now we still don't know where the pipe goes, do we? Better rent a caterpillar excavator next!😄

  • @macky0305
    @macky0305 2 роки тому +1

    "Bloody Subscribers" 😂😂😂

  • @RFC3514
    @RFC3514 Рік тому

    I used to have a cat, I knew a girl called Jenny, and I often wondered what the point of either of them was. I had no idea they were meant to be used together.

  • @sotired7453
    @sotired7453 Рік тому

    You felt the disappointment I have had many times over chasing poly pipes as we are on a farm and have tank water and when we have water leaks have found pipes we didn’t even know were there but I watched this cause yesterday I was digging a ditch for drainage and came across an actual drain pipe we didn’t know was there and covered with a gravel road so it’s got a lot of dirt in it but I can’t find the end where it goes and it heads under a concrete slab.🤦🏻‍♀️

  • @chrishamilton3582
    @chrishamilton3582 2 роки тому

    I'm still not sure how we are supposed to locate pvc water mains before digging, given no current etc

  • @ptousig
    @ptousig 2 роки тому

    So you're saying that if I join your Patreon, I can make you do silly things like destroy your lawn?
    Now that is tempting.

  • @ashleyberry1116
    @ashleyberry1116 2 роки тому +5

    Is it true that when you UA-camrs go for a meal, rag n bone brown always goes to the toilet just as the bill arrives so he can get away with paying ?

    • @mrwood4557
      @mrwood4557 2 роки тому +1

      Where did you here that from

    • @mrwood4557
      @mrwood4557 2 роки тому

      Where did you here that from

    • @ashleyberry1116
      @ashleyberry1116 2 роки тому

      ​@@mrwood4557 Andy Clarke told a mate of mine.

  • @MrMedicalUK
    @MrMedicalUK 11 місяців тому

    What about lead?

  • @paulroman7587
    @paulroman7587 7 місяців тому

    The biggest mistake you’ve done when you try to find the depth is that you held the button down for more than one click, that’s why you get the wrong measurement.

  • @troyg1337
    @troyg1337 2 роки тому +1

    I hope the people that cared about this appreciate the effort for something so pointless you wanna be careful tho, keep digging holes in your garden every week the neighbours might get concerned that you're a serial killer burying your victims 👀😂

  • @garvielloken3929
    @garvielloken3929 2 роки тому

    Nooice!

  • @somewhereelse3813
    @somewhereelse3813 2 роки тому +1

    Kinda feel guilty now for asking you to check out the source/end 🤭

  • @johnbeattie5765
    @johnbeattie5765 6 місяців тому

    How ' NOT ' to use a Detector if you've never done it before ?

  • @johnchincotta1qwdb15
    @johnchincotta1qwdb15 2 роки тому +1

    Hi Stewart,that's what I call abortive work. Nevertheless,it's a very informative channel for DIY jobs.Good going pal.

  • @martincook3201
    @martincook3201 2 роки тому +2

    Wouldn't it have been easier and more effective to hire one of those CCTV cameras that drainage engineers use to find where a drain is blocked?

  • @BelarusianInUk
    @BelarusianInUk 2 місяці тому

    Clipping on generator near gas bottle - I would not do that tbh

  • @northernsoulmike8127
    @northernsoulmike8127 Рік тому

    Maybe you should have pressed the depth finder before digging the garden up. Secondly it's always good to check the cables first to the genny to make sure they are not damaged.

    • @RFC3514
      @RFC3514 Рік тому

      What, and have a video where he doesn't dig? People come here for a reason!