Question
My home has an automated sprinkler system with a main shutoff valve that is located somewhere between 8 - 10 feet underground.  The shutoff valve is accessed through a 3 inch (or so) PVC pipe.  I use a 10 foot "key" that I purchased at Home Depot to turn the water off in the fall and on in the spring.  My 3-year-old twins have managed to fill the valve access pipe nearly to the top with dirt so that I cannot access the valve with my key.  Is there anyway to clear the pipe so that I can access the valve again without digging a 10 foot hole to remove the access tube and repair the situation?  Our soil is quite sandy and was very dry when they filled the pipe--maybe some kind of a commercial vacuum that I could rent to suck the dirt out?

Answer
If you have access to a shop vac, that would be ideal.  You'll also need a piece of 1" PVC pipe the length of the hole your going to clean out.  Also you will need a piece of metal or wood the length of the hole.  You will need to attatch the PVC to the end of the vacuum hose by creating an adapter out of something like cardboard and taping it together with electrical tape.  This is so you can get down deep enough with the suction.  The metal or wood rod will be used to break up the hard dirt.  Be careful not to damage your valve.