Get matched with top excavation pros in Fort Thompson, SD

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.

The depth of a septic tank’s drain lines is between 18 and 36 inches underground. These pipes are filled with perforations and surrounded by sand, gravel, or a combination of both, as both materials help filter wastewater. While some pipes are buried closer to the surface, this can create problems unless the soil is compact and doesn’t shift much. 

Generally, a trenchless sewer line is worth the cost. If your old system needs replacement, trenchless sewer repair or replacement can save you thousands on excavation costs. Every homeowner’s situation is different, but this method is definitely worth it in a lot of cases.

Trenching is a specific kind of digging. Trenching means digging a depression in the earth that’s deeper than it is wide, often with heavy machinery. Digging refers to any kind of removal of earth in order to create a human-made depression, hole, or cut in the earth’s surface. You can dig with big tools or even with just a hand shovel.