Get matched with top excavation pros in Warrenville, SC

If you’re planning to dig on your property, you’ll need to check for underground utility lines. Call the national call-before-you-dig 811 number. Once connected to an operator, you can schedule a site visit to mark underground lines. This way, you won’t accidentally dig into pipes and can cause major (read: costly) issues.

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.

Most states do not require excavation companies to hold specific licenses, but many require at least a contractor’s license. Additionally, heavy equipment operators require a special commercial equipment license to operate machinery required for excavation. You can use Angi’s contractor licensing tool to confirm that an excavation company you’re considering hiring is fully licensed. You should also make sure that the excavation team is fully insured before allowing them to work on your property.

The easier way to find buried sprinkler lines is to use the plan from the professionals who installed the system. If you don’t have professional plans, listen for running water on your lawn when you turn on the system. You may also spot wet areas, giving you an idea of where the heads are. Once you find the sprinkler heads, you’ll likely be able to connect the dots between them, revealing the system below.