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Wilkins Excavating LLC. - Inicio Facebook
5.0(
1
)

Serving Staunton, VA and surrounding areas

In business since 2019

Free estimates

Wilkins Excavating is committed to excellence in every aspect of our business. We uphold a standard of integrity bound by fairness, honesty and personal responsibility. Our distinction is the quality of service we bring to our customers. Accurate knowledge of our trade combined with ability is what makes us true professionals. Above all, we are watchful of our customers interests, and make their concerns the basis of our business.\n\n

Recommended by100%of homeowners
Avatar for J&J Earthworks, LLC
J&J Earthworks, LLC
5.0(
2
)

Serving Staunton, VA and surrounding areas

In business since 2022

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Very reliable, great with communication got back to me fast I had an idea and told them what I wanted and they even added their own twist to really knock it out of the park. I can tell they take pride in the work that they do. Would highly recommend to anyone I come across. If you want the job done right and in a timely manner J&J Earthworks is the contractor for you."
Response time1 day
Recommended by100%of homeowners
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Excavating questions, answered by experts

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.

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.

Some two-in-one tools and machines do both jobs, and those could be the right solution for smaller residential projects. However, the phrase “use the right tool for the job” definitely applies to digging. For the best results, get two separate tools for your trenching and landscape edging projects or call a pro to take care of everything for you.

You can dig 60 to 80 linear feet by hand per day depending on the depth. Digging a 100-foot trench by hand will take you two work days, but it can take longer if you have heavy or rocky soil. If you’re digging a deep trench or one that’s over 100 feet, consider renting a mechanical trencher, such as a walk-behind or ride-on, or calling a pro for help. 

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 Staunton, VA homeowners’ guide to excavation services

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