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To locate an underground downspout, you should start by identifying where the above ground gutter drains. Look for an entry point, such as a pipe or elbow leading into the ground. Follow the surface path for signs like depressions, landscaping disruptions, or wet areas after rain. You can use a metal detector or plumber’s snake to trace the pipe underground. For deeper pipes, a professional locator tool or camera inspection may be necessary. Visual markers or utility maps can also guide the search.

Skunk digging looks like a series of small, cone-shaped holes on a lawn or around the perimeter of a home, porch, deck, or shed. The holes that skunks dig when searching for grubs tend to be no more than four inches in diameter and may be up to four inches deep.

Trenching and boring are two distinct methods for installing underground utilities. Trenching involves digging a channel using equipment like an excavator, trencher, backhoe, or shovel. While it is a simpler process, it causes significant disruption to the surface, landscaping, and surrounding ecosystems.

Boring, also known as directional boring, is a less invasive alternative that uses a drill to create a tunnel for utility lines without disturbing the surface. This method is more precise and is ideal for installations that need to go underneath buildings, roads, or bodies of water. Although boring is less disruptive, it is generally more expensive than trenching.

No, a ditch isn’t a trench. A ditch is an open, relatively shallow channel that’s carved out of the ground and used for drainage purposes. In contrast, a trench is a deeper excavation that’s entirely underground. Trenches have many uses, including gas lines, sewage systems, and electrical wiring. Unlike trenches, ditches don’t get filled back in with dirt after they’re dug.