Trying to repair pipe buried underground.

[noeloneill]

Hi all,

I would love to have some practical guidance at the beginning of this DIY job.

I have just tried to break up the cement in the kitchen, I am using about a 5 lb hammer and a flat cold chisel but don't seem to be making much of an impact.

Is this normal and I just need to take it slow or is there something else I should be doing.

I am digging about 8" away from the hairline crack, this is probably the centre of where the pipes run parallel to wall, and just outside the hollow sound of cement which must be over the pipes. I would really appreciate feedback before I do damage!!!

Thanks,

[Ian Stirling]

SDS drill, with appropriate bits. These can be from 20 quid up for a cheap one. Chain drilling with a 5mm masonry bit with an ordinary hammer drill can help.

Do you own an angle grinder?

And now, the problem. If the pipes were copper, directly buried in concrete, then they will likely have many places along the length where they are about to leak, even if you fix this one.

[Newshound]

Agreed. Even a £50 SDS will pay for itself on this job. Angle grinders can be useful but make A LOT of dust. Get a Screwfix or similar diamond blade if going this route.

Agree again. I suppose you *might* be lucky: it might be plastic.

My sympathy!

[noeloneill]

Thanks for the tip. Because its hollow over where the hottest area is, when the heating is on, I hope that its the sand that was surrounding the pipes. Could it just be localized damage?

Thanks.

[Newshound]

Heating pipe under concrete? I suppose it could be in sand. If I were really

*forced* to concrete-in a heating pipe then I would have used plastic pipe and pipe insulation. I suppose it might sound hollow if a long-term leak has washed away the sub-soil. You might be lucky and just have localised damage but there will be a risk of corrosion elsewhere.(That said, I have a copper rising main plastered into a damp wall which hasn't failed yet, but it is on my "must fix" list)

[Rick]

I'd lay a new pipe, in a new channel, if possible.

Rick