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TRUSTED BY SPENCERVILLE, MD HOMEOWNERS

  • Average homeowner rating star icon4.1
    Average homeowner rating
  • Verified reviews icon24
    Verified excavation services reviews

Find Excavation pros in Spencerville

Avatar for Environmental Technical Services
Environmental Technical Services
4.8(
31
)

Serving Spencerville, MD and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 1991

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Wayne did an excellent job removing our old underground oil tank and installed a new one in our garage - Wayne described in simple detail what he was going to do - and did it all safely and professionally - saved our Japanese Cherry Tree that others said would have to go - moved our house vacuum cleaner over in our garage - so new tank would install in a safe place - just super happy that we hired Wayne."
Response time10 hrs
24 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by86%of homeowners
Righttime Plumbing And Drain, LLC
4.3(
74
)

Serving Spencerville, MD and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2000

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"Very happy with what Rema did. He came on time, analyzed the problem, and cleaned the clogged drain for exactly what he said it would cost the night before. He was careful, methodical, and very professional. He was also very neat and cleaned up as he worked and after he was finished. He will be the first person I call for any plumbing problems in the future."
Response time2 hrs
Response rate93%
Recommended by91%of homeowners
Avatar for Cutting-Edge Contracting
Cutting-Edge Contracting
5.0(
3
)

Serving Spencerville, MD and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2024

Free estimates

Small jobs welcome

"I could not have asked for a better experience! The work was done efficiently and well. All interactions were professional and they did an amazing job. 10/10 recommend!"
Response time2 days
Response rate85%
8 neighbors recently requested a quote
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Excavating questions, answered by experts

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.

The best way to protect tree roots is to avoid the roots entirely by excavating outside the root radius of the tree. For nearby projects, it’s a good idea to construct a temporary retaining wall. But that’s not always possible, depending on the project and the root system. In these cases, consider using alternative equipment like an auger to tunnel under the ground.

Remember, tree roots can damage nearby cement foundations as they grow. If a tree is close enough to interfere with large excavations, it may be better to remove the tree than risk future problems.

A walk-behind trencher can cut through roots as long as they’re not too thick, making a project much easier than digging with a shovel and other hand tools. Assess your terrain and the number of trees in the surrounding area to determine if a walk-behind trencher will ease the job. Digging a trench by hand is much more time-consuming and labor-intensive. 

The best method for digging a trench depends on the scope of the project. For a short, shallow trench (less than 2 feet deep) in light, soft soil, digging by hand may be sufficient. However, digging by hand is labor-intensive, so consider the effort required. A machine trencher is the better option for longer trenches (over 100 feet), deeper ones, or when dealing with difficult soil conditions, such as rocky or hard ground, or obstructions like tree roots. A machine can save significant time and energy in these situations.

The digging depth will depend on the size of the trencher you use. Even smaller units can dig up to 4 feet deep, which is plenty for a DIY job. However, much larger trenchers can reach a depth of 18 feet and are better used by a team of pro contractors, not a single DIYer. As with all home improvement projects, use the right tool for the job and proceed with caution.

The Spencerville, MD homeowners’ guide to excavation services

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.