Locating PEX Pipe Under Concrete

[dougin]

I am currently in the process of developing the basement in our new home. The basement is heated with PEX pipe under the concrete and works great in this colder weather we have been experiencing up here in Canada. There is roughed in plumbing including toilet and shower drains but unfortunately the shower drain needs to be moved. I want to move the shower drain about 6-8 feet and will have to break up the concrete to do so however, I have the problem of the pipe in the concrete. I'm not exactly sure of where the pipe is and the pattern they used when laying it down... hence my dilemma. Anyone know a method of finding the approximate - within a few inches - location of the pipe under the concrete? If not, is there any tried and true way to break up the concrete without damaging the pipe in the concrete?
Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[hj]

pipe

You will get a good approximation by turning the heat off for a day, then turning it on and using an infrarared thermometer to see where the floor heats up first. That should be above the pipes. The only safe way to break the concrete is with a sledge hammer. Any other method will puncture the tubes if you hit them.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[dougin]

Thanks HJ. I will definitely give the thermometer a try before picking up the sledge. Much appreciated!

Doug

 

[Jar546]

Infrared Photography. There are plenty of guys out there that would be happy to get paid to use their IR camera.