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Trenches are typically 12 to 24 inches deep and 8 inches wide. However, the required depth depends on the specific project and local ordinances. For example, a French drain may need to be 18 inches deep, while a water pipe might require a depth of 24 inches and a drainage pipe 36 inches. Your city or county may have specific regulations, so it's wise to consult with an excavation professional to determine the correct depth for your project.

It can take several weeks for the ground to settle after removing a tree, and the soil under larger, more mature trees can take months. The deeper the tree has been ground under the soil, the longer it will take to settle. However, this extra depth can help you plant new landscaping sooner because you’ll have more space for fresh soil.

Depth is not a qualifying component of evacuation. Any human-made cut, cavity, or depression in the earth’s surface is considered excavation. The hole from excavation can be any size, shape, or depth. Excavation is used to create foundations, reservoirs, drainage ditches, and roads. Long, narrow excavations are called trenches and are often used for underground utilities.

If you have a broken sprinkler pipe underground, there will be some signs you can easily spot to locate it and take action. These include leaks, water spouts, flooding, consistently damp areas on your lawn, low water pressure, and grass around the sprinkler head that’s taller and darker than anywhere else in the yard. 

If there are no obvious signs of a broken pipe, you can use tools such as water leak mics, leak noise loggers, audio devices that record leaks, and acoustic testing links. 

Broken pipes can lead to uneven watering, plant damage, and higher utility bills. The longer you wait to fix them the more the repair cost may be.