How to Tunnel Under a Concrete Slab
Tunneling under a concrete slab can be achieved by digging down vertically next to the slab and then moving horizontally once you reach the bottom of it. It's commonly done as a way to avoid breaking through a concrete slab to access critical infrastructure like sewer lines buried beneath them. While the process sounds simple in theory, it's anything but in practice.
Learning how to tunnel under concrete slabs requires safety precautions, expertise, and specialized tools that the average person doesn't have lying around in their garages. In most cases, this job should be left to the professionals. Keep reading to learn more about this process with topics including:
Remember, this is a dangerous endeavor, especially if you have to dig deeply. Don't hesitate to call for help if you're even slightly unsure about your ability to get the job done.
Need to Access Pipes Under Concrete? Murray Service Co. Makes It Easy!
Murray is always here to provide plumbing service in a hurry. If you need help accessing tricky drains or sewer lines, we're here when you need us with 24/7 emergency services.
Understanding the Purpose and Precautions for Tunneling
Sometimes, it's necessary to tunnel under a concrete slab. This is especially true for pipe or sewer line repairs or installations. By tunneling under the concrete, you can avoid breaking up the entire slab. Of course, you can't go in blindly. You need to assess soil stability and know exactly where any utility lines are so you avoid damaging them or causing a disastrous cave-in.
Tools and Equipment Needed for Tunneling
Several common tools can help tunnel under small concrete slabs, including:
- Digging bars
- Hoses
- Piping to push under the slab
- Jackhammer
- Hydraulic jack
- Concrete piers
- Ground penetrating radar
- Borescope camera with flexible push rod
- Laser levels
- Explosion proof lights
- Circulation fan
- Multi-gas meter
- Certified Structural Engineer
However, if you need to dig under larger concrete slabs, like those in your home's foundation, you may need professional equipment, such as a trench shield. This protective structure acts as a barrier to prevent soil and falling debris from collapsing within the trench and burying the people inside.
Step-by-Step Guide to Tunneling Under a Concrete Slab
With the right tools on hand, tunneling under a concrete slab consists of a handful of steps. Before you begin, however, remember to wear protective gear and regularly check on soil stability throughout the process. These safety measures can help prevent injuries.
It can also help to have a support team ready to help during an emergency. However, this complex process can be dangerous, especially to the inexperienced. Hiring professionals can help avoid injury or damage to your property.
Tunneling under concrete slabs includes four key steps:
- Plan the route and prepare. Identify where the tunnel needs to go. Typically, a plumber can figure this out by performing hydrostatic plumbing tests to isolate where the leaky pipe is.
- Mark the starting and ending points. The best route is one that gets to the pipe in the shortest, straightest line possible. Mark the starting and ending points.
- Start digging the trench. First, you have to dig straight down to get underneath the home's exterior wall. This is typically anywhere from 3 to 6 feet. Once you reach the end of the home's foundation, you can tunnel underneath it, using the underside of the foundation as the ceiling for the tunnel to avoid a potential cave-in.
- Clear debris as you go. It's best to eliminate any debris as you go to maintain the safest environment. Remove dirt from the tunnel to avoid any potential accidents.
When to Call a Professional
This is a complex procedure that should be left to the professionals to reduce the risk of injury or catastrophic damage to your home's foundation. We especially recommend contacting the pros if you have to work with large concrete slabs or complicated layouts. In many cases, these jobs are too complex for DIY solutions, and it's safer to trust the pros.
If you need to tunnel under a concrete slab, don't worry. Call Murray! Our team has all the technical skills, advanced technology, and safety equipment to get the job done right the first time and leave your property damage-free in no time.
Tunneling for Pipe Repairs? Let Murray Service Co. Handle the Hard Work!
Worried about that underground drain or sewer line that needs servicing? Call the local, experienced plumbers you can trust at Murray. We're ready to serve when you need us most.