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I had a herd of goats clear my back yard today and in the process the goats discovered a sillcock that had long been buried in the ivy (I found it when water was suddenly spraying out of the ground). I capped the pipe but now I am left with about 15 feet of copper plumbing buried under a 60 year old patio that has been settling separately from the house- There is no shutoff valve for it. Short of tearing up my patio, is there a trick to figuring out which water supply line inside my house is the one feeding it? I would like to add a shutoff valve so I don't have to worry about freezing, another rupture, or something happening underground going unnoticed. It seems like there ought to be some way to find the corresponding supply line/most direct path by applying a current and measuring with a multimeter. Thoughts?

Ah- wrong sub forum.

Tables dude.

Alec, You should be able to easily spot it from the basement or crawl space as a pipe that goes through the foundation or band joist.
3/4" would be your supply from the street, and most likely 1/2" for your spigot.

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92 Miata 1.9L naturally aspirated. SSM 21

I had considered using goats to clear our English ivy in our backyard, but I figured I would still have the roots left behind and it would just grow back.

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2003 Subaru WRX Sportwagon = daily driver/boost and booster seats
2000 BMW 540iT = wife's kid hauler
2012 Toyota Highlander = the boring reliable vehicle

Part of the reason I went with the goats is that I had a large quantity of poison ivy and nobody was willing to remove it. It was also fun having a herd of goats for the day

My basement is on slab and is mostly finished so I don't have a clear view of all the supply lines. There is a line in the downstairs bathroom ceiling I can't account for that I am guessing is the feed for this but I was hoping there was some way to test and be sure. I guess worst case scenario is that I end up installing a valve I always leave open.

Ah yes poison ivy. Fortunately I only a bit scattered here and there. I considered just buying a goat and letting it go at it for a few months, but I figured I still have to come back and pull out the vines. I've got about 1/6 of an acre to clear, but I am no hurry.

As for the pipe, I would think that if it was run wide open, you should be able to hear water going through it compared to neighboring pipes. The other possibility is that you might be able to detect a temperature change in the pipe when you run a bunch of water through it. It should be colder than neighboring pipes especially if you are in a warm space.

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2003 Subaru WRX Sportwagon = daily driver/boost and booster seats
2000 BMW 540iT = wife's kid hauler
2012 Toyota Highlander = the boring reliable vehicle

I confirmed the water line by taking out a patio stone and carefully digging:





There isn't enough room for an inline cutoff valve so I'm, going to monkey around with running a loop of pex and then adding a valve where it is easier to reach.

Does anyone have an opinion on sharkbites installed in wall? It seems like a terrible idea to me but the space is cramped and there is electrical very nearby such that I don't want to mess with a torch.

That looks like a fun space to work in. Sharkbite work well, but I have not used them much since it's not difficult to sweat a pipe to begin with and I know that stands the test of time. Pex is great stuff, I have run a ton of it and never had an issue. Your problem here is space and Pex requires room for the tool to crimp. Between joists is difficult enough nevermind the wiring you have in the way. You'll have to pre build your Pex loop. It may actually be easier to sweat a copper loop in there if a torch will fit and protect the wiring with a piece of flashing. Could you access the pipe by removing the drywall directly below that area?..would make life much easier.

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92 Miata 1.9L naturally aspirated. SSM 21

Yeah, it was actually designed with the bottom being a removable access panel. It looks like there are several layers of paint over it but I think a razor blade and pry bar will open it up. I have sweated copper pipes in open areas and I know it isn't that hard. Doing it within inches of a bunch of 60 year old electrical scares me.. The plumber I use is cheap and competent so I think I might just swallow my pride and spend the $100 to get him to do it.

And insured?

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Art McDonald
Premier Amateur #518
2008 Dishman Cup
Pivot Cone Snob

Rodney is a waxer (but in a good way)

Can't have all three?