11
May
2007
Last year I wrote about the Sidewalk Sleever to tunnel under sidewalks and other above ground obstructions that you can’t trench through, and if you’re doing a lot of tunneling or even have 2 or 3 tough spots then the Sidewalk Sleever might be the ticket.
For most of the jobs I’ve done I only need to go under a sidewalk, and often there is dirt that was brought and sometimes even sand below the cement which makes for fairly easy tunneling. In these cases I’ve been able to get by with a spray nozzle tunneling kit that’s essentially a one-time use deal for under $5.
The tunneling kit consists of two plastic parts that glue onto either end of you PVC pipe. One piece is a hose bib that can thread onto your standard garden hose. The other is a nozzle that concentrates the spray into a narrow sharp stream.
Glue the two pieces onto either end of your PVC pipe and hook your garden hose to the hose bib end. Now you just dig a whole on either side of the sidewalk where you want to go under, turn on the water and start pushing the pipe through letting the nozzle do most of the work for you. Usually I’ll end up doing a fair amount of pushing and jabbing to get the pipe all the way under, or sometimes start again from the other side to get all the way through if you get stuck going one way.
Once you have the pipe through, shut off the water, cut off the nozzle and hose bib from the tunneling kit with your handy PVC pipe cutter and you’re in business. The kit is usually often referred to as a “Walkway Tunnel Kit” if you’re looking for one. The one I’ve used is made by Orbit.
Posted: Handy Tools, Tunneling
11
September
2006
Tunneling under sidewalks and similar obstructions can be an big obstacle, even for experienced irrigation installers. The first time I was faced with this task, I did not have the the Sidewalk Sleever, but I wish I did. There are alternative ways to get this job done, but I would suggest that if you have to tunnel under something more than once to consider getting one of these tools, because if you’re anything like me after the first time you are going to wish you had it!
The Sidewalk Sleever is used for 1 or 2 inch PVC pipe, and tools go from 60″ to 96″ long for the 1″ diameter pipe, and 60″ only for the 2″ diameter pipe.
To use, you measure your PVC pipe as directed with the tool so that it fits between the “boring” end and the “stop” end. You will need to dig a hole on either side of the sidewalk or obstruction so that you can tunnel the Sidewalk Sleever through level. You then insert the tool through your PVC pipe and line it up to go under your obstruction. You can then use a sledge hammer to pound your PVC pipe right under the sidewalk, and once you are through just remove the tool from inside the pipe and you are set.
You’ll want to be carefull to have the tool level when you start to avoid it going to deep on the other end, or aiming up too high and taking a chance at cracking your sidewalk from beneath.
The makers of the Sidewalk Sleever boast that most tunneling jobs can be done in 60 seconds. The method I have used involved a lot of water, and lot of time and a lot of work, so I have to say that this tool looks like it’s worth it!
Sidewalk Sleever Site [SidewalkSleever.com]
Posted: Handy Tools, Tunneling, Tips and Tricks
