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It takes two to three hours to trench 100 feet with a mechanical trencher or 10 to 12 hours if digging with a shovel. The total time to dig a trench depends on the depth, width, soil type, terrain, trencher type, and your level of experience. Digging in clay or rocky soil takes longer than soft ground.  

Because decomposed granite is a durable material, a crushed rock or gravel base is optional as long as the DG is properly installed and compacted. However, installing a base is a good idea because it will ensure proper drainage and stability and act as a weed suppressant (although you may still occasionally have to pull weeds). Installing an adequate base can also increase the durability of driveways and walkways. If you forego the paver base or gravel underneath, line the area with landscaping fabric to avoid weeds.

Trenchers can dig holes as narrow as 4 inches or as wide as 4 feet. Check the specifications of the trencher you rent or buy to determine how wide it will cut into the landscape. Better yet, let the excavation company know how wide you’d like the trench to be, and they can help you choose the right trencher for the job (or do it for you).

Yes. A metal detector is one of the quickest and easiest ways to find your septic tank. However, metal detectors can be too expensive (costing upward of $300 in some cases), and not everyone has a metal detector just lying around. If that’s the case for you, you can also take a long metal rod and poke it into the ground at regular intervals until you hit something—likely your septic tank lid.