Avoiding main water feed under garden concrete

[LouiseJ]

Didn't know if this should go in gardens or plumbing as it's kind of both!

We have a bit of a problem with water collecting against the outside all of the house as an area of old concrete runs downhill towards the house (garden slopes upwards) and the drain where the guttering etc drains into is actually uphill from the problem area.

We were planning on digging out a dry area between the wall of the house and the concrete to be filled with gravel so water can drain away into the ground beneath as a relatively easy (!) fix.

However the main water feed into the house runs into the kitchen under the sink - pretty much exactly where the water pools. How on earth do we avoid grinding/chopping through the pipe whilst removing the old concrete? Is this beyond the scope of DIY and a pro job?

 

[pidgeon1]

If it were me.
I would just break out the top of the concrete, look at the side of this it will give a clue how this it is, then use a spade or trowel to remove the soil, never use a fork !!

 

[LouiseJ]

So you would assume that:

1) the concrete on top would be a relatively thin layer? and

2) the pipe would be below the concrete rather than embedded in it somewhere?

If yes to both that's very reassuring!

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Can't you look at the edge of the concrete somewhere to gauge how deep it is? Normally the water main will be deeper than your average concrete slab though never say never! That said its not ideal to create a drain like this right next to house wall, ideally the ground level adjacent to the wall should slope down away from the wall and if a drain required set it away from the wall. Got a photo?

 

[pidgeon1]

As a rule of thumb water service pipes are not normally in the concrete, but it is always better to tread carefully, chip away at the concrete once you have a section removed you will see how thick it's been laid.

One other point know where your stop tap is and make sure it will turn off !!! try this before stating work, if it's ceased and will not move you will haver to call your water company to replace before you start work.

 

[LouiseJ]

Can't you look at the edge of the concrete somewhere to gauge how deep it is? Normally the water main will be deeper than your average concrete slab though never say never! That said its not ideal to create a drain like this right next to house wall, ideally the ground level adjacent to the wall should slope down away from the wall and if a drain required set it away from the wall. Got a photo?

Will try and get a pic at some point.

Was thinking of something shown here under 'dry area arrangement': http://www.pavingexpert.com/dpc01.htm

It is a narrow yard style arrangement about three feet wide next to a terraced house. It is a mess of old slabs and conrete so water is pooling in the lowest point, which is nearest the house. It seems like raising the level of the concreted area to match the rest of the garden would bring the concrete level above the floor level inside

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

No one suggested raising any levels, they may be able to be lowered though.