The Easiest Way To Drive Grounding Rods

As we upgrade our electrical system, we installed two grounding rods in just a few minutes each with no special tools. We also share why grounding rods are important and other system grounding considerations.

If you have any comments or questions, please leave them below, we'd love to see them.

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[Testing-]

I watched an electrician do this with less than half a bottle of water on compacted dry soil in August. It was the most amazing thing to watch

[donoyama]

The technique of using the water was absolutely amazing. I bought an 8 foot grounding rod and tried this method. This method makes great sense and it really motivated me to try it. I made a note to time the installation and I buried the 8 foot grounding rod in 7 minutes. One of the best tips I've ever seen. Great video.

[Inkling]

There is a simpler way. Dig a hole a foot or so deep and in circumference where you want to drive the rod and fill it with water. That will soften the soil and fill in around the rod. If you hit small rocks, as I did, you can move the rod from side to side in the softened soil to maneuver around them. Also, if you add epson salt to the water, that'll dramatically increase the soil's conductivity. A power company found epson salt tripled the conductivity.

[garymilliken]

I don't normally comment on such things, but this worked so well I had to. Of course the conditions will determine success, but I just installed an 8' rod in about 15 minutes with nothing but water and the rod...my only deviation was to first dig about 2.5' with a post hole digger just to make sure I didn't run into anything else running through that area. Once I had that hole dug, just dumped in about a gallon of water and started working the rod down to the required depth...done.

[jgmopar]

Im back. I put my ground rod in this afternoon using this technique. I will say this is by far the best way I have tried so far. only took me 5 minutes around 2 feet down i hit some really tough dirt after that it went super smooth. Less water used than a hose and not as messy. great video.

[beehood]

Your videos are very well presented, without a lot of extra words to add time. Your radiographer is super.

[marine]

Very interesting, always room to learn and improve…👍🙏✅

[michaelw]

I clicked on this just to see which kind of clamping you used and ended learning a much easier way to drive these. Thanks for the video and tip!

[Timhuns]

WOW! Thanks for sharing this. I've got clay up here in Pennsylvania and decided to give it a shot. I got about 6 feet down using your method before I started hitting rocks. It took less than 10 minutes to go 6 feet and I didn't even break a sweat. Used a hammer for the last couple of feet and the job was done!

[vovobillinbrazil]

Nice. One tip. There is a top and bottom (sort of) on the grounding rods. The tip you hammered on is semi-pointed that goes into the earth. It may have helped cut through with your procedure. I'll give this a go on my new construction.

[JFM]

I have used this method and it works well just don't stop and take a break during the process it is very hard to get started again keep the rod moving until it is down as far as you want it.

[andrewlawrence]

I cut the ground wire on one of my grounds and need a new rod. I thought I’d have to get an electrician but I’ll try this and should save a bundle. Thanks so much!

[DevilsInBaggyPants]

Thank you for the video, I’m need to put one in ground for my generator, and heard you could do it this way. I am going to try it, thanks again.

[Jkitty]

I gotta put in grounding rods now, definitely will try the water 💧 technique, but Tennessee soil is a whole different animal. 👌👍🤣

[JDubbsadventure]

Worked like a charm, took me about 6 minutes to put a 8foot rod in using a water hose

[RockyMTHirvi]

It's a very effective method. To see it done is very helpful. I have 2 gr rods to put in for grounding my Ham Radio equipment and antennas this week. I'll use this technique then. 2 questions suggestions. 1. Have you located underground hazards i.e. power line, gas line, cable before starting? That's very important.
2. Consider putting the sharpest point of the rod down. I think it'll go in even easier. Thanks

[JorgeMenendez]

Thank you very much for sharing this tip.

[rkgsd]

I didn't know about these long pieces of copper until I saw the electrician pounding one into the ground as part of the upgrade of the home's 60 year old electrical panel. I found it fascinating.

[MickeyShermie]

WOW that's awesome!! Can't wait to try this method. Thanks for the tip

[Aimsport-video]

You only need water at the bottom. Topping it off makes for more splashes. Nice video.