Cleaning out buried conduit

[bjp_ne_elec]

I just has a post running on "Long runs of PVC" - but it was focused on fishing the pipe - and we don't just have to be talking PVC here. But before fishing, and if you are suspecting there might be something in the pipe - how do you clean the pipe. Can a shop vac provide enough force to clear water out - say if water is sitting in part of the pipe? If there is a "belly" in part of the run, and water is just partially laying in that area, can you really get it out? It seems the whole diameter of the pipe would have to be "plugged" with water to get it to go.

Worse - if you find signs of stones, dirt, etc. how have you handled that?

Thanks

 

[ptonsparky]

I have tied a rag bunched up close to the size of the conduit, on to the fish tape and used it to swap the conduit. Careful though, sometimes it will hang up. Intermittant shots of compressed air will help with water. Allow water to drain back and settle before applying next burst. Then swab with a rag. CO2 works the best but you better not have any thing you want wet or dirty within 50ft of the discharge. Even a small air tank or compressor will send an impressive amount of water out of a conduit. Make up some reducers to seal up the conduit on the pressure end. I have had no luck with the smaller shop vacs I own.

 

[infinity]

You could pull a wire brush through the conduit to remove any debris.

 

[kbsparky]

A powerful shop-vac can evacuate a conduit in short order. Be sure to set it for wet pickup, if you suspect you will be sucking out any water. I've gotten gallons of water, lots of loose gravel, dirt, mud, etc. out of long runs before pulling in the wires. We have even squirted in some water to aid in rinsing out some of the dirtier conduits on occasion.

A rag knotted on the end of a pulling rope can assist with wiping out any residual mud or other debris as well.

I've never seen the likes of that wire brush posted elsewhere in this thread --- that sounds like a viable solution for stubborn gunked-up conduits.

 

[stickboy1375]

I have to ask, how would a pipe get filled with garbage to begin with? I always use glue caps... ( no glue of course) and I pull a string right away, so even if water enters the conduit a mouse/piston will push most of it out as I pull my rope thru...

 

[petersonra]

I've never seen the likes of that wire brush posted elsewhere in this thread

looks like it would be good for cleaning your cannon too.

 

[kbsparky]

I have to ask, how would a pipe get filled with garbage to begin with? I always use glue caps... ( no glue of course) and I pull a string right away, so even if water enters the conduit a mouse/piston will push most of it out as I pull my rope thru...

Well, there are the other trades out there that dig too deep after our conduits are installed .... and they make crude repairs with lots of junk left behind in the pipe, etc.

Then there are the deep trenches that make it nearly impossible to keep all the dirt out when installing long runs.

We don't worry about the occasional wad of dirt, or gravel, as the shop vac cleans it up really good!

 

[quogueelectric]

brickeys

brickeys

Did you ever work with irate brickeys??? You will soon know what is blocking your conduit. Sometimes vinegar will dissolve the mortar if you let it sit a little while.

 

[mdshunk]

I learned to use caution when using an air blast to clear pipes. Someone DID SOMETHING NOT NICE in my 3" stub-up, and the result after the air blast wasn't very pleasing.

Edited by Ryan to steer the topic back on course.

 

[aja21]

Did you ever work with irate brickeys??? You will soon know what is blocking your conduit. Sometimes vinegar will dissolve the mortar if you let it sit a little while.

You would be surprised what good ole Coca-Cola would do for ya.

 

[bjp_ne_elec]

Stickboy - where do you get the "glue caps", as you refer to them? I've seen the plugs - you'd put the coupling on which has one end threaded and the other would be a glueable interface - but only for plumbing sizes. Do you get these through a electrical supplier?

 

[ryan_618]

Thanks for keeping this on track, BJP. I am going to deleting some posts about not very nice things in people's conduits, and a brief synopsis of 3rd grade slang for bodily functions.

 

[LarryFine]

Thanks for keeping this on track, BJP. I am going to deleting some posts about not very nice things in people's conduits, and a brief synopsis of 3rd grade slang for bodily functions.

Okay, now come up with a way to prevent any of us from having to face the 3rd-grade actions of other construction-site atendees.

In other words, don't shoot the messenger because you don't like the message.

 

[Davis9]

Stickboy - where do you get the "glue caps", as you refer to them? I've seen the plugs - you'd put the coupling on which has one end threaded and the other would be a glueable interface - but only for plumbing sizes. Do you get these through a electrical supplier?

They make a cap that glues on. I use them to bend my PVC with the heater faster, keeps the heat in.

Tom

 

[ryan_618]

Okay, now come up with a way to prevent any of us from having to face the 3rd-grade actions of other construction-site atendees.

In other words, don't shoot the messenger because you don't like the message.

I'm not calling anyone a third grader. I am saying that the thread started discussing the different names for fecal matter...a third grade discussion.

 

[LarryFine]

I'm not calling anyone a third grader. I am saying that the thread started discussing the different names for fecal matter...a third grade discussion.

I don't disagree. My post about cutting points into the conduit ends was intended to be helpful.