How to pull rocks out of pipe in the ground?locked
My mom has a hole in the ground that she puts her clothes drying hanger in. Like this. The hole in the ground is a 2" or so pipe, set in concrete. The pipe has filled with gravel. Anyone have a tip on getting the rocks out? I can only get so many out using my fingers and then trying to use a set of chopsticks.
Shop vacuum
I feel really stupid that this didn't even cross my mind. I'll give it a go. Thanks.
I used to live in a house where the gas shutoff valve for the fireplace was in the living room floor, controlled with a little key. It was the perfect size for a marble to fall in and block it.
I found a metal straw and taped it to the end of my vacuum hand attachment, effectively forcing the suction through the straw. I felt I may have been straining the vacuum a bit, but I was able to pull the marble out easy-peasy.
If you have an attachment that fits in that hole, you’re good. If not, you can use a similar method to this.
You probably would've thought of it eventually. Gotta ask though: Do you need to remove the gravel? Is it causing a problem?
The tube that actually support the clothes hanging part needs to slide into the hole and the gravel is blocking it.
If the shop vac can't get down far enough, duct tape a bit of PVC pipe or some other study tubing to the end of the vacuum hose. The standard nozzle might be too short or wide for getting where you need it, but it should be the quickest way to do what you need.
Fill with mercury. The rocks will float to the top then you can just pick them up.
And when it's time to get the mercury out:
How is this practical or safe?
when he claimed it was?
It is practical as rocks should float in mercury and it is safe if you use elemental mercury and don't eat it.
It isn't environmentally fantastic and you would want to remove it with a vacuum trap, which does make it a less than ideal option compared to a shopvac.
https://www.amazon.com/Grabber-flexible-Four-claw-magnetic-01-Picker/dp/B07BT3X4FV/ref=sr_1_3
If the long spoon, backscratcher, or shop vac doesn't get it done, I'll give this a try. Thanks.
Blue tack and a stick? Like stick the rocks to it then pull out?
Your best bet is probably to vibrate them out.
Now given this is your moms house, I am unable to politely suggest what household items would be useful.
It is either a powerful vacuum or a blower depending on the size of the gravel.
A shop vac, maybe with a narrow extender.
If OP is in the US -- which I assume he is, from the inch measurement -- I'd bet that he can probably rent one at a large hardware store, like Home Depot, if he doesn't have any use for one outside of this.
eh, they could live as well in Liberia or Myanmar
I’ve never seen a shot vac extension that would fit into a 2” pipe
https://www.amazon.com/Universal-Vacuum-Attachments-Shop-Accessories/dp/B0BD549KV2/
Not specifically recommending this one, but this has a crevice tool and adapters for various diameter shop vac hoses.
Air compressor with a skinny long nozzle.
This was also my thought. Wear eye protection!
Curious...why do you need to remove the rocks from the pipe?
She can't slide the clothesline into the hole to set it up.
Maybe the clothesline doesn't go far enough I to the ground hole to stand up straight.
Long spoons. Or a backscratcher would work.
I did not think of a long spoon. I'll give that a try. Thanks.
A coiled wire screwed to the end of the stick (like a spring). Jam over the rock and pull up.
Or put silicone on tip of stick, glue to rock, cut stick, apply more silicone and repeat until empty.
Blue tack and a stick? Like stick the rocks to it then pull out?
Something like this might work. They are kind of expensive, and some are better made than others, but they come in handy and maybe you could borrow one from somebody. A landscaping company might have something like this too that they use to get fruit off of trees, or maybe a fire department has something like it. Possibly a pond and aquarium store has some equipment that could work since they need nets and tools for plants and rocks, or tools used for feeding aquarium animals and fish. There are some home improvement stores that let you borrow tools or rent tools, shop vacs, long handled gutter cleaners or painting tools etc.
Vive Suction Cup Grabber Reacher 32" (2 Pack) - Elderly Grab It Reaching Pickup Tool Heavy Duty for Seniors - Trash, Sticks, Litter Picker Upper - Extra Long Reach Handle & Handy Extension Arm Claw
https://a.co/d/3QmQNND
Rule 5. Locking.