If you’re building a house on a vacant plot, you might need to lay down new sewer lines to connect the property to municipal waste systems. While excavating contractors handle all aspects of the job, you might wonder what to expect from the service. Use the guide below to prepare.

What Happens During Residential Sewer Line Installation?

1. Map the Site

First, the excavating contractor designs a plan for installation. The pipes’ paths must avoid underground hazards, including preexisting utility lines and rock formations.

Professionals use surveying equipment to determine how deep to install the system. In most residential applications, pipes start at the home’s foundation, running downhill to municipal mains. 

2. Obtain Permits

Every municipality has different regulations for installation. In New York, only state-licensed professionals can submit permit requests for sewer work.

Your excavating contractor will submit the plans they developed to get a permit and prevent code violations. Installation can only begin once all fees have been paid and the paperwork approved.

3. Lay the Pipes

To install the system, contractors dig trenches that connect the home to the municipal sewer main. They create slopes while digging to facilitate drainage.

Once a trench is dug, the contractor lines the bottom with a bedding material such as sand to support the piping. After placing the pipes, the professional connects them with gaskets or specialized glue, attaching them to the city’s network based on local laws.

4. Seal the Trenches

After the pipes have been laid, contractors backfill the trenches by refilling them with the removed soil. They may add more sand around the piping to protect it from debris.

Each layer of soil is carefully compacted to prevent pipe sagging and shifting. Professionals might also add tape around the first few layers to alert diggers to the sewer line's presence.

Make sewer line installation as stress-free as possible by working with the team at Black Rock Excavating Corp. They’ve provided sewer installations to residents of Salisbury Mills, NY, for over 15 years. They use state-of-the-art technology to map the route and excavate your property, so you can rest easy knowing your network will be reliable. Visit their website for more information on their sewer services, or call (845) 649-1882 to schedule a consultation.