I watched this with a bit of anxiety. Maybe five years ago a private contractor was digging on Dartmouth Street in Boston. A water main broke while they were digging with shovels beneath it inside the hole. Two hard-working men drowned. I learned a lot about the dangers, codes, regulations, and permits in the weeks after. Driving by work crews now is an ominous reminder of the dangers they face.

I feel your pain, I worked for a public utility in st.Louis for 46 years. Drawings are never wrong, but they are seldom right either. And don’t get a locate company to find it for you they are ALWAYS wrong. Stay safe guys.

@TheDrew2022

8 ай бұрын

I disagree about Locates Firms somewhat. At least in my area if you call a locates firm and they come out and tell you where & how deep the buried pipes are, and those pipes aren't where locates said they would be, then you aren't liable for any damage / costs associated with repairing the inevitable breakage. Do it without having locates come out, your on the hook for any damages.

@HaroutBlack

6 ай бұрын

Jesus is the only way to healing, restoration and salvation to all souls. Please turn to him and he will change your life, depression into delight, soul heading from hell to heaven all because of what he did on the cross “Whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” Romans 10:13

@Goodoffthaak

3 ай бұрын

I’m a utility Locator and I guarantee you ANY contractor will trust me before he trust you to Locate anything .

Top Job ! Is very funny to see the water of the sump pump is back to the hole. 😅

@TimMcArdle

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah we kinda had a nice water feature going on there. 😆

Better you than me and better there than here and it's cold here in South Carolina and I'm just glad it's after Thanksgiving and I've got no clogged toilet calls thank God LOL keep up the good work keep your boots dry like that's possible

Here in Minnesota our mains are 8’ and if we seen a sleeve that close to another we would just cut new pipe in but fun to see how other states do it!

If you find a small split you can score the main to the gray layer and it’ll stop the split fun fact we’ve saved countless hours of work that way haha also make sure you honch under the main it’ll save you from having another break there just packs it in better great work fellas

@HaroutBlack

6 ай бұрын

Jesus is the only way to healing, restoration and salvation to all souls. Please turn to him and he will change your life, depression into delight, soul heading from hell to heaven all because of what he did on the cross “Whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” Romans 10:13

Watching this is almost as much fun as going to work.

@TimMcArdle

2 жыл бұрын

Resembled it eerily closely didn't it?

Thanks for showing real repairs, I've seen more than a few where they have some guy down there with the water still turned on just trying to show off like a jackass.

I wish we had lines this shallow , this is a walk in the park lol our lines here go from 8- 13 feet deep

Hell yea love watching these

"I really don't want to, but they pay me to." I got that Derek trained right.

nice to see hard working HONEST MEN!!!!! not snow flakes sitting on their ((__I__)) wanting a free hand out!!!! GOD BLESS all of you!!!!!!

@TimMcArdle

Жыл бұрын

Thanks! We have a good time together and try to do our best.

we have over 4,400 valves in our system 4" through 30" and we constantly dig down repack and rebuild them with stainless steel bolts. they are 100 years old and will probably last my lifetime with those repairs

@TimMcArdle

8 ай бұрын

We've repaired a few. Definitely bolts are a major issue. I have a video of us repairing one. Unfortunately the main blew right beside it several months later and had to pull it. Was a leaded in valve.

@mattthomas3207

8 ай бұрын

@@TimMcArdle I would say that's what at least 75% of ours are

Very enjoyable video! Thanks for sharing.

Split sleeves are a historical moment in human progress and development.

Great work guys, I can tell you if you guys were working on my street I would be talking to you. Moved to Dunedin,Fl in 1988 and all our city guys are great like you guys.

@HaroutBlack

6 ай бұрын

Jesus is the only way to healing, restoration and salvation to all souls. Please turn to him and he will change your life, depression into delight, soul heading from hell to heaven all because of what he did on the cross “Whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” Romans 10:13

I love the older excavator and trucks. When there good there good.

@TimMcArdle

5 ай бұрын

Ironically I just got a new truck and excavator. We still have the old ones and use them regularly as well. They're loyal!

@precisionfilms3777

5 ай бұрын

@@TimMcArdle that old 331 is a GOAT 🐐

@TimMcArdle

5 ай бұрын

Everything I own personally is old stuff. Love buying old stuff and putting it back to work!

@precisionfilms3777

5 ай бұрын

@@TimMcArdle there is something about seeing old equipment still doing the same work as new equipment without the high cost. It's paid for itself so many times it's laughable

enjoyed watching the repair of the line we just had our water dist out to replace the 1 inch plastic pipe to our meter w copper the line had been in the ground 63 years then it started leaking

Excellent work 👍

The parking of that tractor to the trailer, was epic! 💪🤙

I work for the city’s water department here in town I love man doing water taps repairing mains doing some of them live I just hate my week on call lol

Awesome job ! I've been involved in a few of those.

Great job you guys. Love these videos.

@HaroutBlack

6 ай бұрын

Jesus is the only way to healing, restoration and salvation to all souls. Please turn to him and he will change your life, depression into delight, soul heading from hell to heaven all because of what he did on the cross “Whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” Romans 10:13

G'day, been in the repair business for 34yrs, if i excavated another stainless steel clamp on a cast iron concrete lined main 'cicl' would recommend replacing from collar to collar. If this was not possible, cut the cast and tap the removed piece with a hammer to determine whether the crack has travelled further. Wedge up the the class12 pvc main to stop it putting weight pressure on the existing cicl too. Good work ethic!

We have C900, AC and ductile iron also, good work crew

Good job guys.

I worked city maintenance for several years repairing AC pipe. After each repair we used fire hydrants to blow out the air and flush the pipe. How did you blow out the air or maybe you didn't show that part of the process.

@TimMcArdle

5 ай бұрын

We always try to flush a hydrant nearby. I don't believe this section of main had a hydrant on it so we would not have been able to flush it that way. Sometimes we'll pull a meter and run it that way but it takes way longer!

Im about to start working for he water department soon

Very interesting videos. I am new to your channel and really enjoyed everything I have seen so far.

Good job,,

That heavy equipment operator is a freakin boss, id never have anyone 20feeet from me operating the mini Ex.

“Ain’t got no gas” Karl Childers!

@Superfireman591

2 жыл бұрын

I snorted when he did that

Your guys are funny as hell!!!

@TimMcArdle

Жыл бұрын

We have a good time!

Love it. Hopefully that new "inferstrucher bill " will help you out.

@fuzion430journey3

2 жыл бұрын

That’s pretty funny evidently you didn’t read that bill because literally only $400,000 actually goes to infrastructure so the fact that any of that would make it to the small town I wouldn’t doubt it highly

Nice work, it's never easy! Your guys need to have hearing protection when using that quick cut.

@HaroutBlack

6 ай бұрын

Jesus is the only way to healing, restoration and salvation to all souls. Please turn to him and he will change your life, depression into delight, soul heading from hell to heaven all because of what he did on the cross “Whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” Romans 10:13

Professionally done. You guys know your stuff.

@HaroutBlack

6 ай бұрын

Jesus is the only way to healing, restoration and salvation to all souls. Please turn to him and he will change your life, depression into delight, soul heading from hell to heaven all because of what he did on the cross “Whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” Romans 10:13

Nice job.

If people knew what the inside of these water mains looked like they would not drink the water. I used to work for Florida keys Aqueduct Authority[FKAA] out of Marathon Florida. The pipe [ductile iron] started out 36 inch[200 psi] on the mainland and ran 150 miles to Key West where it changed to 8 inch asbestos [transite] mains. Went over 44 bridges. Pretty good job. Whats blue and sleeps two? A Florida Keys aqueduct truck]LOL

May have to get a little bigger machine and start replacing mains/valves, services on whole streets. Preventive maintenance.

@vtwinsideways

2 жыл бұрын

🤣🤣🤣 That is not what our taxes and water fees are for silly.

Good work team This is what i do in Jamaica

I was getting paid 12 dollars an hour at age 18 working with a jamaican that's accent was stronger than hulk himself doing the exact same thing except they couldn't reduce pressure on most of the breaks cause the valves where so old water pressure so high you had to set up your repair beside the problem and slide it on otherwise you wasn't going to get it fixed much respect love watching these vids

@TimMcArdle

2 жыл бұрын

We've been in that boat before! Thanks!

Great video!! interesting to see what other countries do. I have had to put water and sewer mains in over 10 feet and services to housing at the same depth across a street. Decided to become a ticketed plumber. I remember replacing a live active sewer that was flowing because of a guy with an excavator digging a electrical and gas trench pulled right through it without checking for depth of the sewer line beforehand. Had to cut through it with the gas cut off saw getting soaked with "white mice" (tampons) and other stuff. the rooster tail was awful.

@TimMcArdle

2 жыл бұрын

Oh boy, what a nightmare!

@HaroutBlack

6 ай бұрын

Jesus is the only way to healing, restoration and salvation to all souls. Please turn to him and he will change your life, depression into delight, soul heading from hell to heaven all because of what he did on the cross “Whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” Romans 10:13

@ErikISkogen

5 ай бұрын

Haha, lol@@HaroutBlack

@vikingcalibur3009

5 ай бұрын

@@HaroutBlack don’t worry about my soul, for I have not been condemned to hell. The church and its members and those who have sinned against me, it is their souls that need protection from hell. For they hid behind the holy bible while committing their sins. For their judgment day cometh and I have forgiven them for their offence against me. They will never be forgotten tho. I have faced the devil he is an unworthy opponent.

Cool video! I love that sign right where you work “Children at play” 😄Oh and it was Ants Pants shoutout that sent me here!

@TimMcArdle

2 жыл бұрын

I appreciate that Nils! I see you on Camarata's page all the time! I'll have to thank Ants Pants for the mention! Love his stuff as well!

@NilsKall

2 жыл бұрын

@@TimMcArdle On the AC fanclub FB page, yeah I drop a comment there sometimes, cool you noticed. It was a while since I gave his KZread page a comment, figure that there are plenty as it is but perhaps it could be a way to help him grow even more.

Well.. at least it isn’t very deep. Up here, in Canada we have to have at least six feet of cover over our WMs Really like your trailer.

@TimMcArdle

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah, we're lucky in that aspect. Someone from Minnesota commented the other day about their deep pipes. That would definitely be a nightmare! Trailer has been awesome! Saved many trips for stuff we don't carry normally.

We need to see more of muscle boy in the yellow muscle shirt!

No light gravel underneath it and around? In Norway, that would make the area around the pipes move with season, and make it leak again soon because of pressure when the soil sets, and the pipe gets pressed down because not enough filling and packing around the pipe.

@TimMcArdle

5 ай бұрын

We use sand a lot to backfill with. Flows in under and doesn't settle much.

Good thing you only have to go a few feet down. Makes life easier for sure. Canada buries their pipes deeeeep.

In the little town that I live in less than 300 people occasionally they do have a water main break from mostly the old Transite pipe. And sometimes it splits again. The part I don’t like for the workers is that occasionally this happens in the dead of winter. That certainly sucks.

@bassandbucks4282

Жыл бұрын

I miss the days of getting calls at 3am when its 5 degrees out once it was so cold the valves to cut pressure were frozen solid along with our pump so I threw on some waders and got in the trench when I put the collar on and tightened it down the wrench I was using froze to my hand oh and BTW because one of the lines we worked was live that shift ended up being 22 hours straight (so long we all had to call people to pick us up from the break because we were so tired by the end of that shift the company didn't want to risk being responsible for any of us wrecking because we fell asleep behind the wheel) all the guys working that shift were running off of was caffeine, nicotine, 7-Eleven taquitos and the few minutes of sleep you got riding in the truck from site to site🤣

You should grease, wax tape, and wrap those macro couplings with 10 mil tape before you backfill. This will help minimize corrosion and make it easier when you have to dig up the rest of that pipe down the road. Also some locating tape a foot above the pipe is a good idea. Lastly, those couplings have a torque rating of 65 psi, after initial tightening you’re supposed to wait 10 minutes and then confirm you’re still tightened to 65 psi

@mikehunt8823

Жыл бұрын

They banned denso tape about 15 years ago where I am from for hygiene reasons. The bolts on couplings used since are already rotting away, plenty of work for me.

@HaroutBlack

6 ай бұрын

Jesus is the only way to healing, restoration and salvation to all souls. Please turn to him and he will change your life, depression into delight, soul heading from hell to heaven all because of what he did on the cross “Whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” Romans 10:13

@ReadTheShrill

5 ай бұрын

@@HaroutBlackJesus don't heal pipes.

@xzaz2

5 ай бұрын

lmao @@ReadTheShrill

@aquaphobicFish

5 ай бұрын

@@mikehunt8823 what hygiene reasons are thoes? where I am denso wrap and pvc overwrap are still standard practice (also mandatory) and the wrap shouldnt ever be in contact with the water unless you installed something wrong?

@5:19 nice presentation...I felt like all gear was being presented to me as the client...good collection there

@TimMcArdle

Жыл бұрын

We had just got that trailer. It's been great. We actually have more goodies in it now like our lights, barricades, and extra pumps now. It's a real timesaver!

@edwinkaris9602

Жыл бұрын

@@TimMcArdle very cool

Can’t tell you how many clamps, and that old cast pipe we replaced over the years when I did that kind of work. When we would get big temperature swings we were sure to get the over time. We could almost hear the pipes pop.

I guess everyone does it little differently, we have to use Vac-Trucks, not allowed to pump the sediment laced water down the street to eventually water ways! we also use a tool called a jumping jack to compact the backfill, when you don't, it seems that you have settlement issues, which causes ditch or road failure:( Do like those new style repair couplings, pricey though:)

Risky digging across the main like that but good job. We had a main blow apart 3 different spots in 3 days within 100ft of each other lol

Great commentary and editing. I think you should take your show on the road. Meaning, visit different cities and record their crews doing repairs on water mains. You can also have someone add commentary who teaches water distribution courses.

@HaroutBlack

6 ай бұрын

Jesus is the only way to healing, restoration and salvation to all souls. Please turn to him and he will change your life, depression into delight, soul heading from hell to heaven all because of what he did on the cross “Whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” Romans 10:13

Хорошая работа!

@TimMcArdle

2 жыл бұрын

Спасибо!

Township EPA they've been making me put hay bales up Filter Fabric can't have that mud going into the streams, it's going to ruin the world😮😅

@TimMcArdle

5 ай бұрын

Oh boy. Don't want dirt to get in the dirt huh? 😂

I work facility maintenance and had this happen. We measured wrong on the mini excavator and thought it was too tall to fit under a covered walkway so we had to dig about 7 feet down by hand to put a clamp on.

Bloody freaking legends 👏 full sending never lifting 😏🤙mobbin deep 🙌 new sub love the vibes keep sending it

Good job, what type of couplings are you using? we use Viking Johnson’s, sometimes getting on the bottom bolts can be awkward i much prefer the look of yours. We got a new type of repair clamp recently, connectaclamps. They lock together so makes it easier to do long splits if you can’t get a shutdown.

@TimMcArdle

Жыл бұрын

Romac romagrip I believe is what those are. Very handy!

Awesome

Where are you guys located?? Mains are a lot more shallow than here up in Saskatchewan Canada. Deepest one I've worked on was 16 feet deep

@TimMcArdle

Жыл бұрын

We're in central Illinois. Man I feel for you guys! Ours average anywhere from 3 to 5 feet generally. That would definitely suck digging so deep just to do minor repairs.

@austin1416

Жыл бұрын

@@TimMcArdle I'm not in the industry anymore, but I'll tell you some were not very fun haha. Keep up the good work! Love the videos!

Have you run across any hollowed-out trees that are used for water pipe? About 10 years ago the water district replaced about a 50' section of hollow tree water pipe. They think it's the last in the city.

@TimMcArdle

2 жыл бұрын

Not in use, but our super has a piece of one in our plant in a display case. Neat to see the way they use to do things ya know!

Im going to be a water operator for my city soon just trying to see if it will be any what similar to what frac operator does and it’s real similar .

I cannot believe that dude is standing in the hole while Bubba is digging inches from his legs. 02:15 .

Damm hate those pumps!

At least none of 6 guys were tired at night

These types of jobs are so under appreciated…. Just curious, is the water turned off and it’s just the residual pressure?

@TimMcArdle

8 ай бұрын

Yes just residual. More often than not, old valves don't seal 100% and will leak some.

Map your water valve locations from landmarks fire hydrants property lines other landmarks say 22 feet west & 18 feet north AWWA 1/2 turn specs for a gate water valve to close are 3 times the valve size plus 3 times 2 = 1/2 turns to close Example 6" valve 3x6 = 18 + 3 = 21 x 2 = 42 make Shure it is open first the stem is brass it will brake with horizontal splits most of the time it is best to cut out replace if not clean and find end of crack drill or saw to keep crack from traveling more.

@TimMcArdle

2 жыл бұрын

Very true, we actually have for the most part good maps and drawings of our lines and valves, however we do find a few mistakes now and again. We try to correct them when discovered.

14:21 - Billy Bob Thornton 😂😂

Got any valves on that trailer?

We can't use plastic, ductile only,, they're a pain in the you know what, I don't care it all pays but it lasts forever. I was watching Columbia Gas putting in a huge gas Main in throughout Pennsylvania, those boys they work hard and they work fast, under the river over the mountain to Grandma's house they go.

Trailer doesn’t have many hi maxes in it. I have a picture in my phone a 6’ section of 6” had 4 clamps on it 😂

What brand shovels are those??

Why did you use PVC for a water main when your dealing with such high pressure? Isn't PVC weaker than copper?

@TimMcArdle

7 ай бұрын

We have a lot of PVC water mains in our area. Our system runs about 62 psi and it's rated for well over that. Anything new we install we use C900 plastic. Stuff is between 1/2” to 3/4 thick. We still use copper for service lines but never mains.

@MoneyMarcMes

7 ай бұрын

@@TimMcArdle Thanks for the reply. Does C900 come in standard sizes two like 2"?

@TimMcArdle

7 ай бұрын

Not sure if you can get it that small. If we have something that small, it's usually some type of poly or PVC pipe. We keep 6" plus in C900.

Hey, nice work! I saw where you said you're in central IL. I'm also in central IL and applied for a city water job where I'll be involved in these repairs.. How many of these do you typically have in a year? Does it happen more often in winter? Any advice appreciated.

@TimMcArdle

Жыл бұрын

Thanks! Depends on the town your in. Older towns that have alot more old mains probably fight them more. We're about 11,000 people and don't have too many issues honestly. And oddly enough, most of our problems happen in the summer or spring when the ground is dry or thawing. Seems like there's more movement in the ground during those times. We all enjoy our jobs and have fun doing it.

@lukehodgson5222

Жыл бұрын

@@TimMcArdle Appreciate your feedback. I'm in Macomb. It's almost 100 years old and 22,000 population. I've been trying to learn about water main repairs because it seems like that's the bummer part of the job. Water plant operator. I'm unsure if I want to leave my maintenance job at a facility for the city job, which pays more. Maybe I won't even get an interview, who knows 🤔

@TimMcArdle

Жыл бұрын

No problem man, good luck to you!

@lukehodgson5222

Жыл бұрын

@@TimMcArdle Thanks! How many water main leaks do you fix in a year?

@TimMcArdle

Жыл бұрын

Well we had a tally going at the shop but lost track. We had a section of main that was popping right and left early this year. Literally down there once every 3 to 4 weeks. Made a couple videos of them. We generally don't see maybe 1 or 2 a month or so average I'd say.

lmao the ol just double band clamp side by side. i just hope you guys dont have any old transite lines.

Ah new pavement on the road how nice any any patches! *Week later* Need dig up here to fix water pipe.. >.

good excavator driver

yep you tighten your old clamp to tight and she cracked? that's what Darrel said. I'm friends with the guy in the green shirt. Wear some hard hats will ya all!!

A classic example of why you NEVER use a repair clamp on a lengthwise split!!!! In my experience (40 years), it will fail 70% of the time. And when you see another clamp 8" away, it kinda indicates the pipe is a piece of shit!!! Go as far as decent pipe, cut it out and replace with new pipe and 2 dresser couplings. You have to shut down but so what???, it's a lot longer lasting repair

what use maybe stihl cutter pipe for steel

Magic sand that needs no compaction.

@TimMcArdle

5 ай бұрын

Yes

So they replaced a cast iron pipe with a PVC pipe, so what's the life expectancy of PVC buried in dirt? Just wondering...

@TimMcArdle

5 ай бұрын

Not sure. We have PVC that was installed in the mid 60's with no real issues.

Looks like that pipe is becoming nothing but patches!

Nesesito trabajo urgente arreglando tubos del agua

? Did you compact any lifts ????????

@TimMcArdle

2 жыл бұрын

That clay sand doesn't really compress too much when we fill a hole with it. I cut it out but the truck dumped a few times and I did pack with the machine but we usually don't have to many settling problems. We flowable fill holes on main streets and that works nicely.

is blue brute pipe not standard over there?

@TimMcArdle

7 ай бұрын

Everything we install new we use C900 that's blue. Don't know if that's the same. We have a hodge podge of everything that is old here otherwise!

I wish I can get away with a repair like that, But not in this neighborhood.

👍👍👍👍

Lucky it wasn't and Adelaide south australia main lol

Is the sewer main the same size as the water main?

@DZEyoyo123

7 ай бұрын

No, sewer lines under the street are usually 3-4 inches. If you opened the manwhore cover on the street and look down inside, you'll see the lines that connect to it are fairly small.

Maybe they need avocado from mexico😅

If you want to find a pipe, get a guy with a digger and start counting.

Do we really have to see what all you have in your truck?

This in a small town?

@TimMcArdle

Жыл бұрын

We're about 11,400 people.

Never leave a gap between clamps….ALWAYS butt up to a clamp

plastic remedi on metal pipe...

The pump was on when I left - it wasn’t. lol.

What about asphalt?

now , update the mape to confirm route of water and valves that you just confirmed and removed