Tap Excavation in Denver
An independent, licensed plumbing contractor. Not affiliated with Denver Water or the City and County of Denver.
Tap excavation in Denver opens the ground for sewer, water, and fire line connections to the public main. Denver Sewer and Water pulls the permits, locates the utilities, shores the pit, makes the inspected connection, and restores the surface.
- Sewer, water, and fire line tap excavation.
- Permit and utility coordination.
- Deep pit shoring and traffic control.
- Main locating and verified exposure.
- Surface restoration to jurisdiction spec.
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When Does a Property Need Tap Excavation?
Tap excavation is needed for any new connection to the public sewer, water, or fire main. That includes new construction, service upsizing, a dedicated fire line, or replacing a failed tap at the main.
The work is deeper than most line repairs and sits in the right-of-way, so it carries its own permit, shoring, and inspection sequence. We manage that rather than handing it to the owner.
(720) 935-6221Reasons to excavate for a tap
- New construction with no existing service connection.
- Upsizing a service that no longer meets building demand.
- A fire line required by the sprinkler design.
- A failed, corroded, or damaged tap at the main.
- Permanent abandonment of a retired service.
How We Diagnose It
Who Issues the Tap Permit?
It depends on the line and the jurisdiction. Denver Water owns the water main. The city handles sanitary sewer review. Aurora and Lakewood run their own utilities. Anything in the street needs a separate right-of-way permit.
We file the right applications for the address rather than giving the owner a list of offices to visit.
How Tap Excavation Runs
- 1
Sizing and Scope
We confirm the service size, identify the main, and determine how deep the connection sits.
- 2
Application and Permits
We apply to the authority that owns the main and pull the right-of-way permit if the work is in the street.
- 3
Locate and Verify
Every utility in the work zone is located and verified before excavation begins.
- 4
Excavate and Shore
The pit is opened to the main and shored to depth. Main taps are often the deepest part of any service job.
- 5
Make the Connection
The tap is made to the jurisdiction's specification and inspected before anything is covered.
- 6
Backfill and Restore
Compaction and surface restoration are done to the spec for what was cut, whether concrete, asphalt, or landscape.
What Denver Customers Say About Working With Us
“They cleared our drain where Roto Rooter couldn't and quoted us to replace the line under our concrete.”
“Prompt service and worked well into the night to restore service due to hard soil. And did their best to prevent large scars to the yard”
“Denver Water And Sewer did an excellent job replacing my sewer lines. Trevor and his crew are extremely competent, honest, professional and prompt.”
What Drives Tap Excavation Cost?
Tap excavation cost is driven by depth, soil, shoring, traffic control, and the surface being restored. The utility's own tap fee is separate and scales with meter or service size.
We quote the excavation, permitting, and restoration portion after confirming the main depth and the right-of-way requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Need a tap excavated in Denver?
Call (720) 935-6221 and we will handle the permit, the dig, and the inspected connection.