NEED HELP - Water shut off @ street bent must fix

MicroPilot · Sep 2, 2004

( Getting new driveway. Had digsafe mark utilities.

Water dept says my "gate box" is bent. Says I should fix it before driveway. They are unable to turn off water if we were to have a problem.

Can I do this myself with mini-excavator? It is 6' down.

Tips or tricks I need to know about?)

The "Gate Box" or "curb Box", from what I can tell is the sleeve in the pit or hole that lines it.

I would think all it would take is a few hours and a shovel to open the ground up enough to replace this. Definately not a backhoe $1000 job.

Cost for a curb box seems to be $50 - $100.

On second thought, I'd rent a mini excavator, or terramite.

DaveNay · Sep 2, 2004

( I would think all it would take is a few hours and a shovel to open the ground up enough to replace this.)

You won't find me digging a 6' deep hole with a hand shovel! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Dave

MicroPilot · Sep 2, 2004

Agreed, you could do it, but if you rent a machine this job will be done in 1/2 hour or less.

Will the driveway require any excavation? If so ask the operator to dig the hole for the curb box.

bluecon1 · Sep 2, 2004

We put in thousands of these valves a year, and probably have to fix about a quarter of them in the following two years. They're usually very simple, and usually get bent near the surface. There are very few that we dig to the "bottom". The top 'slider' piece is usually 2-3' long, and is usually the piece that needs replacing. Shouldn't be more than 25 bucks. If the remaining stem is bent, you can usually slide a larger diameter pipe on to it and bend it staright. You will need a 'key' from a plumber or contractor to make sure it operates before finishing the driveway (or, when it is excavated a couple feet down, and the top piece is pulled off, you may get a pipe wrench on the inside operating rod to see if it will turn the 90 degrees to close the line). Hope it helps. Up here in Canada, we bury them 9-10', so good luck on yours.

PS: I would call a sewer/water installer before I would call a plumber, nothing personal, but these guys seem to know more about these kind of 'fixes'.

GrayBeard · Sep 2, 2004

haz,
I have worked on hundreds of these over the years ,as well.
They're pretty simple to repair or replace once you get a good look at them.
As you know , sometimes the tuff part is the digging.
Many times the box has dirt in it as well .
A little tip ; don't take anyone's word for the depth. One way to try to check is to run a tape measure down from grade , when you get close with the hoe ; "break" out the shovel ! It may save a bigger problem.
Always make sure she works well before closing up.
Good luck.
GrayBeard

ByronBob · Sep 2, 2004

I had the water line in my house blow before the meter and I had several thousand gallons in my basement in 10 mins time. Called 911 and they sent the fire dept out at about 2:30 am. The guy didn't have a shut off tool for the water. The water dept didn't issue any to anyone as they didn't want people playing with the curb box.

Make sure someone can get their hands on one before you do this. In N.Y anyway it was harder than it needed to be.

I didn't loose much to the water because of it as it wasn't finished. But in February it created quite a ice pond in the yard for 4 weeks or so.

mahlers · Sep 2, 2004

Too bad you can't just 'forget' to pay the bill for a few months. When they come to turn your water off, they'll need to fix the gate valve in order to cut the supply. Once it's fixed, I'm sure your memory would have healed up.

rambler · Sep 7, 2004

( Too bad you can't just 'forget' to pay the bill for a few months. When they come to turn your water off, they'll need to fix the gate valve in order to cut the supply. Once it's fixed, I'm sure your memory would have healed up. )

That's what I was thinking. Probably can't get you ahead in this, as they will end up billing you for the repairs, but.... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

--->Paul

Larry_T · Sep 11, 2004

If it was mine. the whole top should turn off dig down by hand one or two feet you will probale find bend drop round pry bar inside bend it straight it does not have to be perfect,then have them come to see if okay.