Everything You Need To Know About Trench Digging

Trench Digging 101

Trench digging is one of the most important forms of excavation, yet many people don't know enough about how it works to truly understand the process.

Trenching is a form of digging which creates a long and narrow ditch and is often used for installing utility such as cables, pipes and more.

You can find out more about the process of trenching by reading on and learning just how vital it can be to any construction project. Or, if you prefer to leave it to the professionals, give us a call today!

The first step is to know exactly what your land is like, and what is underneath it. You don't want to find yourself digging down into vital civil utility infrastructure, because that could lead to a significant fine which could set you back financially for potentially years to come. 

It is extremely important that this is performed by professionals with the experience and the correct equipment.

Once you know that you won't be slicing through the mains wires, you can start to plan your dig. This includes marking out where your trench will be and organising machines and equipment to get the job done. Or leaving it entirely to the pros and sit back and relax!

From this point onwards, J Newton Excavations can take over, offering either wet hire or dry hire. This means loaning you the equipment either as is or with an expert operator who can help you to get the job done.

Once we've completed the trenching work for you, we can help you to get your site cleaned up. From this point, you'll be free to install whatever cables or pipes you've been working with, without having to worry about the quality of the trench.

There are plenty of risks involved in completing trenching work, primarily around doing damage to important and expensive underground equipment.

If you damage any council-owned cables or pipes, you could find yourself with an extremely expensive bill to clean up your mess, in addition to potential fines for having not planned your job or gotten the right permission.

That's why using the right excavation team can be key, as expert teams can use measures to ensure that any infrastructure goes unharmed.

Typically, no. If your trench is less than 1m deep, you don't need to get permission from the authorities, but it could be a good idea to call Dial Before You Dig to find out if any utilities are running across the worksite.

It's also wise to let authorities know of your digging intentions just in case, as this can help to reduce the potential and impact of any damage that might be caused on the job.