Underground Waterline Update

Well, I dug down next to the old hydrant because I sure as heck knew I would find it easily with the least shovel work. Got out of the excavator and checked depth: 5ft. Ok, couple more swipes with the bucket and I better start poking with the shovel. Got down in the trench with my shovel and lovely Mrs. I-t-d standing by. I swear on God's Word I missed that 1" waterline by 3 inches. I was at the end of the excavator's reach, so if I had parked 4 inches closer to the hydrant, I would've hooked it and made a mess. It was only 6 feet deep instead of the usual 7 to 8.

Now, the best part. After marveling at my lucky miss, I poked a hole right in the stupid poly line with my shovel. A small geyser ensued as the line was still pressurized. I uttered a calm expletive and said "Honey, will you go pull the cover off the well pump controller, please." The irony was not lost on me. Miss the line with 10k lb mini excavator that I was still learning on, but then hit the line with a shovel.

Once all the pressure leaked out, the flow stopped. It must've been uphill and far enough away from the well that my high water level couldn't reach it. Installed my brass barb tee with double hose clamps and went on my merry way while the trench started to fill with groundwater that was seeping in.

Thank you for your responses on my original question and thanks for reading!

7 or 8 feet? That line was in-too-deep! Sorry someone had to say it! I should not make jokes,so soon as harvest is over I am installing an automatic water and a no freeze hydrant in the goat pasture. I have to tap into the incoming line next to the house and cross 2 sets of geothermal lines and line from my outdoor stove.

Good going, sound like it went OK!

We are only 3' or less. Cannot imagine that deep of frost.

Maybe I'll have you excavate my busted line and then I'll use the shovel later. lol Ron MN

No kidding! I can't be trusted.

Yep, didn't even get my socks wet.

Winter of '12-13 there were many, many frozen water lines. Some municipalities had residents run a trickle at night to keep them thawed.

I do not think ANY of my waterlines are 18 inches deep. No frozen water in over 35 years.

7-8' deep? Good gravy. Granted I know that apparently must be needed there....here 3' is adequate, code says 42" though. I usually shoot for 4' just because.

I like cool weather and the winter....but not that cold I do not think!

Does the frost ever leave the ground if you have to go that deep? If it does is it July or August or even September?

Frost melts from both the bottom side and the top, usually fastest on the bottom side. Thin snow cover does not provide enough much insulation and the frost can penetrate deeper.

Yes, the ground thaws out! I plant trees in early May, and I think most crops are planted in May. The ground may start to freeze in early Nov. When we put in the water line at our cabin we went 8 feet deep and covered it with styrofoam under the driveway. It makes a big difference if your going to remove the snow or drive over it.

Just another reason to love the South. As I've bragged about before we have to bury our water lines only deep enough so we don't hit them with the lawn mower.TDF