Running Pipe Under Concrete

This article explains how to dig and run a pipe under an obstacle such as a driveway or sidewalk. Usually, your yard will contain a few items other than the lawn grass you are trying to keep lush and green. These might include driveways and sidewalks, which at first glance might appear impossible to overcome. Since pipe must go under these obstacles, you will need to find a way to dig a trench without removing the hard surface.

The most efficient and cost-effective way to bore under an obstacle is to create a hole using the power of water. Simply attach a jet nozzle to one end of a piece of PVC pipe and a garden hose to the other end with the necessary fittings.

The force of the water will create a hole the same exact size as your PVC pipe through to the other side. Large or small areas can be excavated by adjusting the length of the PVC pipe. The tool can be reused again and again by adding a coupler to the PVC pipe.

The Components Needed To Bore Under An Obstacle:

1. Brass 2-inch sweeper nozzle (1 qty)
2. PVC male hose end adapter fitting (2 qty)
3. Brass 3/4 inch female hose to 3/4 inch female pipe swivel (1 qty)
4. Brass 3/4″ male hose to 3/4″ female pipe(1 qty)
5. PVC glue
6. Garden hose

Getting Started: Run Pipe Under the Sidewalk

• First, dig your trenches on either side of the walk to the depth of the rest of your sprinkler system (usually about 6-12 inches minimum).
• Now using a PVC pipe cutter cut the piece of schedule 40 PVC pipe about two to four feet longer than the width of your sidewalk or driveway.
• Following the directions on the can of PVC glue and glue the male adapters on opposite ends of the PVC pipe.
• Next, attach the brass 3/4″ female hose to a 3/4″ female pipe swivel to one of the PVC male adapters. Then attach the brass 3/4″ male hose to a 3/4″ pipe fitting to the other PVC male adapter on the opposite side.
• Connect your garden hose to the female pipe swivel adapter. Connect the male hose/female pipe adapter to your 2-inch sweeper nozzle. Your boring tool is now assembled and ready to go.

Getting The Pipe Under Obstacle:

• Turn on the water. Grab hold of the pipe (fitting the pipe into the trench may initially require some flexing). Keep the pipe level with the bottom of the trench and jab the boring tool into the soil. The dirt will appear to plug the end of the nozzle, just leave the nozzle in place for 15 to 30 seconds to allow the water to loosen the soil.
• Pull back the pipe 6 inches to a foot and thrust it into the soil again. Keep repeating this pattern until you have completely bored under your driveway/walkway.

After The Trench Is Made: Run Pipe Under An Obstacle

• Once the pipe has made it through to the other side you can shut off the water and cut the hose end fittings from both ends of the pipe.
• Your PVC pipe tool now becomes your irrigation pipe.
• Attach your fittings to the pipe and continue to assemble your irrigation pipe.
• Some people prefer a variation of this method and use a larger PVC pipe to bore the hole once they have bored through to the other side, they push the actual pipe being used into and through the boring pipe to the other side of the path or driveway.
• The boring tool then acts like a sleeve. Then the larger “boring” pipe also can be used to hold irrigation or lighting wire. This method allows you to bore just one hole for multiple purposes.

Note: Soil that is too hard or rocky may require tunneling either by hand or with a machine that can bore a hole under the sidewalk. You can also contact an irrigation or landscape contractor to do the job.

For example, one of the best devices to have if you have a job that requires excavation under a pathway is to use the Sidewalk Sleever. Just follow the simple steps below to see how quick and easy your job could be using this tool.

How To Use A Sidewalk Sleever To Run Pipe Under An Obstacle:

Place a piece of pipe next to the Sidewalk Sleever with one end touching the “pipe stop” and mark; with your finger; where the pipe just meets the tapered end. Then cut the pipe at that point. If the pipe is past the tapered end this will allow dirt to enter the pipe during installation.

Take the cut pipe (sleeve) and slide it on the Sidewalk Sleever. It is important that the Sidewalk Sleever is clean. Dirt on the tool will make extracting the tool difficult.

Place the Sidewalk Sleever just under the concrete and tap in a few inches. This will allow the tool to hold itself off the ground making it easier to install and also easier to remove the tool after installation.

While straddling the trench; use a 16-pound sledgehammer to impact the Sidewalk Sleever under the sidewalk. Continue impacting the tool until the tapered end appears at the other end

Once the tool and pipe are visible at the other end; simply grab the impacted end of the tool and remove it from the installed pipe. If necessary; tap the pointed end of the tool with the hammer to help the sidewalk sleever slide out of the pipe.

You Have Successfully Run Pipe Under An Obstacle:

Although soil conditions and experience can determine the speed of the installation; in the example here; the pipe was installed in under 60 seconds. Once the pipe is installed; you can glue on onto the pipe and continue running the pipe; place a smaller size pipe through the installed pipe or you can use the installed pipe as a sleeve for wires. If more sleeves are needed; just simply repeat the steps and install as many pipes as needed.