This is in Perth, Western Australia. I'm digging down 200mm to place some curbing to retain the soil on my steep verge. Now I've come across this rusted metal pipe just under ground level. It looks like it actually terminates into the sidewalk (as the images show).
My voltage tester is not detecting anything. It measures about 25mm in diameter.
For some reason it looks so decrepit that I don't think it's my water line. I thought it might be a long forgotten power line, but I'd be interested to hear if anybody else has any ideas. Thanks!
by SunshinePickles
4 Comments
You need to check your “Dial Before You Dig” diagrams immediately if you haven’t. If nothing shows up on the plans, assume it’s a live “ghost” service. For your curbing, do not pour concrete directly onto or around that pipe. Concrete is alkaline and will eat right through that remaining rust. Dig a little under it, wrap the pipe in foam or sleeve it with a split piece of PVC pipe where your curb crosses it. That gives it a buffer so the weight of your new curb doesn’t snap it. If you break that, you are going to have a very wet, very expensive afternoon.
Could be a (probably) redundant galvanised communications duct. Is there a telstra/nbn pit perpendicular ti it? Galvanised communication pipe doesn’t usually go around corners. Also I am on east coast and only see it in older areas, it can be shallow though ,200mm.
Byda plan might tell you something
My money is on water line leading from main to your meter.
Dig hotline