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Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2007 6:40 pm
by Teddy
Oops does this need to be in Siteworks?
I've just started digging the foundations for my new driveway and so far i've unearthed one lead pipe and another rather ugly rusty looking pipe that looks like some of the metal work you'd currently see on the titanic.
Can anybody tell me if it's ok just to recover these with MOT or should they be protected in any way before being buried again?
P.S. Just ordered a copy of Driveways, Paths and Patios A Complete Guide to Design Management and Construction by Tony McCormack, which i heard about from looking at this site. At £11.21 from WH Smiths online it's a bargain.
I also did this last year for my first block paving attempt...
Cost me £1060 for everything. There's a good sized bit off the picture.
Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2007 10:09 pm
by andpartington
if it a lead water pipe its going to be the main and i would replace it while u have the ground open as it where. u don't wont to be drinking lead
and the "steal" (cast iron)? pipe might well be gas but don't quote me on that and i am libel to be shot down in fames bunt a nice jacket of concrete will probably do z job all thought it depend on how close the top of the mot the pipe is
a pic might help
andy
Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2007 5:56 am
by glyn1206
Dont know what your pipes are teddy,but you have made a good job on your path mate,well done!
Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2007 8:38 am
by Dave_L
Burying the pipework in type 1 will be just fine.
Can you put up a picture of these pipes?
Sound like gas and water....gas service would be approximately 35mm in diameter.
Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2007 10:16 am
by Teddy
Morning all,
I've taken some pictures this morning. The lead pipe is just 12 inches below ground level and the other rusty looking pipe is about 2' down. Does this mean the lead pipe is gas as when the house was built I imagine they won't have had gas.
The excavations are deep as after the house foundations were put in the holes were backfilled with sand from the local sand dunes. It's nice and easy to dig out though!
Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2007 11:49 am
by Dave_L
Pic 1 - if you follow the line of the pipe to the house, does it conincide with a water or gas service coming up through the floor somehwere in the house? I've often found that to be a good guide. Also, go the other way - look out into the street and see if any access covers/stop cocks are roughly in line with it.
Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2007 1:21 pm
by Teddy
Well both pipes start in a similar place under the front wall. The stop cock for the water is round the back in the kitchen as I had to put a new one in when I replaced the kitchen. Where the pipe enters the house it is lead (Pre stop cock).
However there is a patch in the concrete on the driveway down the side where the gas meter is on the other side of the wall...
I don't suppose it matters really which is which. So if I cover them in either concrete of MOT they should be ok?
Thanks for your advice guys.
Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2007 5:36 pm
by seanandruby
coulr use the old nail and hammer trick i used to do and see what comes out. ???
Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2007 10:35 pm
by Sparky
Hi Teddy
The rusty looking pipe from the photo could be the main power cable to your house ie old lead cable - be carefull how old is the house roughly ?
Regards
Sparky 
Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 9:01 pm
by Teddy
I thought the rusty pipe might be the electricity cable. I unearthed a yellow plastic pipe yesterday which is the gas I reckon. So at least I Know where all 3 are!
House was built in 1936.
Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2007 4:12 pm
by wingy73
the service's should be re-instated with sand, 250mm above the crown of the service and hand tamp for compaction then continue with back filling with gsb1 at the correct layer thickness and compaction rate, really also would be wise to lay some identifaction tape above the service in case of future excavation's
Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2007 6:46 pm
by Dave_L
If only everybody did that it'd make our lives so much easier!
Would be nice if the utilities got their services down at the correct depth too! 
Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2007 7:23 pm
by lutonlagerlout
At £11.21 from WH Smiths online it's a bargain.
look like its a chip buttie and council pop for sunday lunch again guv'
lol
anyone else reading if you buy the book buy direct from the author,that way he gets a deep sea diver instead of tuppence ha'penny a copy sold
great read though
cheers
LLL
