07/28/08

About 30 years ago. a friend told of a problem with a general contractor finding the soil-pipe going to the poured concrete pad for his 35 year old home.  After a few days delay in the work, the plumber came to the home to see what was the problem.  On being told that they could not find the soil-pipe with the backhoe, the plumber went to his service truck and came back with a pair of “L” shaped wires.  Within a few moments he had located the pipe and the backhoe uncovered it.

My friend then told me these wires could be made from wire coat hangers.  He then showed me how to use them and how they worked.  Since then many people have told me how they have seen them used.  I decided to run a test to determined if two wires were required, and found that I could work with only one.  After seeing a “finder” in a variety home products catalog, I decided to copy their handle idea.  The rod that I still use, came from a coat hanger that I modified nearly three decade ago.