How to Locate Copper Pipes Underground Without Breaking Up the Cement

Practice using the metal detector to learn the meanings of its various beeps and visual indicators. Place coins of various denominations several feet apart outside, as well as a keychain or other small metal objects. Turn on the detector and wave it gently over one of the coins, noting the tones the detector produces.

Wave the detector coil over the other coins, one at a time, to note the beeps or visual indications given by the detector. Move the detector coil above the keychain or other metal object and note the detector's tones. Continue practicing until you are familiar with operating the detector, consulting the manual when necessary.

Move the detector over ground where you believe the pipes are buried. Search first in areas not covered by concrete for more accurate readings. (See note in Warnings section.) If you aren't hearing any tones from the detector, turn up the detector's sensitivity setting and set it to find just copper. If there is no such setting on your detector, set it to detect all metals.

Continue waving the detector over areas of ground until you find an area that produces signals in a straight line, which would indicate a pipe. Place golf tees in the area of the line, if detecting over dirt, to mark your pipe for future reference. If over concrete, mark the pipe area with chalk.