Can we talk about using a shop vac to clear a blocked underground conduit?

Got called out to a house in Bakersfield last month where the old 1-inch conduit under the driveway was completely packed with mud... the fish tape wouldn't budge past 10 feet. Out of frustration, I hooked my Ridgid shop vac to the other end with some duct tape and ran it for about 30 seconds. It pulled out a solid plug of wet dirt and the fish tape went right through. Some guys on my crew think it's a hack, but it saved a full day of digging. Anyone have a better trick for a packed conduit that's not totally collapsed?

3 comments

3 Comments

amy_murphy8525d ago

Honestly, the shop vac trick is fine in a pinch, but you got lucky it was just mud. If there's a sharp rock or a broken piece of conduit in there, you're just going to jam it tighter and make a real mess. I've seen guys try it on a line with some old, brittle wires still in it and just suck the insulation right off. For a clear pipe, a water jetter is the real move. It cuts through roots and packed silt without the risk.

adams.jana24d ago

Ever wonder how many DIY fixes just make things worse down the line? That water jetter sounds way smarter for actually clearing a pipe without wrecking it. Some shortcuts just aren't worth the risk.

zara_garcia24d ago

My buddy tried that on his old sewer line and ended up with a cracked pipe, had to dig up the whole yard.