Rusted pipe device a mystery Answer No. 1
Question No. 1
Hello Mr. Lamoureux,
I do very much enjoy following your weekly column at The Signal. The topics/subjects and responses you provide are informative, practical and useful.
Hopefully, you can help me with my plumbing question.
We’ve lived in the Northbridge area of Valencia for over 20 years, and the houses were built in 1991. I was recently made aware by my water provider, SCV Water, that I’ll be needing to replace a rusting 1-inch galvanized elbow connected to the water meter on the sidewalk.
I was informed that the rust occurred due to galvanic reaction between dissimilar metals — brass nipple from the meter to galvanized elbow. It looks like the main line plumbing has been like this since the house was built. I’m a handy person and have done several plumbing jobs around the house but I have yet to deal with the main water pipe.
As such, I’m planning to replace the rusted components myself and have cleared the dirt below the “rusted ball.” Under the rusted ball is a 1-inch PVC male adapter that connects underneath this rusted ball.
It seems simple enough for me to shut off the main water valve, remove the brass flange connected to the water meter and remove/replace the rusted components with brass elbow and PVC nipple/female adapter to connect with the 1 inch male adapter.
However, I’m perplexed by what this rusted ball actually consist of — is it some sort of a safety device (i.e. pressure relief valve) or just a rusted combination of the galvanized elbow connected to galvanized tee? The SCV water representative stated that he’s not aware of any device connected between the meter and the line that goes to the house except for the pressure regulator, which is located after the shutoff valve at the house. I would really appreciate your input on this. Regards, Rhod R.
Rhod,
Due to the heavy rust present, I have no idea what that rusted metal is.
A pressure-reducing valve is not installed underground like this, and there is no reason for anything but a pressure-reducing valve at the house to be inline like this.
I personally would proceed with the repair and once you have that device out, then chisel at the rust and see what that is. If you figure it out please let me know. You should just cut it out and hard pipe it straight to the pressure-reducing valve at the house.
Please keep me posted.
Robert
Question No. 2
I live in Santa Clarita and have a large crack going diagonally across my garage floor.
It’s starting to lift on the side along the door, and down the wall. I’ve sent photos also showing the exterior, noting that there are no trees or anything of the sort that would be the cause of the garage slab to crack and lift like it is.
It’s now raised on the one side by a good three-quarters of an inch, and recently, someone tripped on it. The garage door is now not closing as it should, do you have any idea what could be causing this issue?
We are at a loss on this.
Mike G.
Answer No. 2
Mike,
This is no doubt expansive soil.
We see it here in Santa Clarita a lot — the soil is like clay. I’m sure you’ve seen that our soil can be cracked like a tortoise shell, and the minute water is introduced the cracks go away. This is an example of expansive soil and what it does, it can definitely be the culprit on this issue.
I’ve experienced a lot of this in this valley over the years, and my recommendation for this situation is to saw cut cut down 1/2 of the garage, excavate down to remove several inches of this expansive soil and bring in new.
Compact it and then form and pin your new concrete. Be sure to pin it, so that your old and new concrete are tied together with rebar.
You’ll need to drill into your stem wall and also put Visqueen down at 6 mil and then repour your concrete. This is my one and only thought of what this could be.
Once you have this area opened and you dig down, you’ll likely find that I am correct that that this soil is doing its thing. Let me know if you need a good concrete contractor, and definitely let me know the outcome on this. I’d be surprised if it is anything else, but I’d definitely want to know if it is.
Best of luck to you, Robert