Sewer Line Excavation Work in Denver
An independent, licensed plumbing contractor. Not affiliated with Denver Water or the City and County of Denver.
Sewer line excavation is the open-trench access Denver Sewer and Water uses when a sewer line is collapsed, badly offset, or damaged in a way that trenchless repair cannot reach. We dig with proper shoring, expose the failed section, and rebuild it to grade before backfilling and restoring the site.
- Open-trench access for collapsed and offset sewer lines.
- Proper shoring and trench safety on every dig.
- Bedding and compaction to spec, not just backfill.
- Grade verified before the trench closes.
- City inspection coordinated before backfill.
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When Does Sewer Excavation Beat a Trenchless Repair?
Trenchless methods need a pipe that still holds a shape, because a liner or a burst head both rely on the existing line to guide them. A fully collapsed section, a severe belly that has trapped waste for years, or a line offset badly enough at a joint that nothing can pass through it removes that option. Excavation becomes the only way to see and rebuild what is actually there.
Site conditions matter too. Multiple defects spread across a short run, a tap or connection that needs to be relocated, or a line running under something that cannot tolerate a burst head's ground displacement all point toward digging instead of lining. We make that call after the camera inspection shows the condition, not before.
(720) 935-6221When excavation is the right call
- Fully collapsed or crushed pipe sections.
- Severe bellies or offsets that trap waste and cannot pass a liner.
- Multiple defects clustered close together in a short run.
- A tap or connection that needs to be relocated, not just repaired.
- A line too shallow or in a location where pipe bursting risks nearby structures.
- Ground conditions the camera cannot fully assess from inside the pipe.
How We Diagnose It
What the Camera Confirms Before We Dig
Before excavation is scheduled, the line is scoped so the crew digs to a known problem instead of guessing where to open the trench. That includes the exact location of the failure, the pipe material and diameter, and how far the damage extends along the run.
Locating the line on the surface from the camera's transmitter narrows the excavation to the section that actually needs to come up, instead of opening the entire run.
What the pre-dig survey establishes
- Exact location and extent of the failed section.
- Pipe material, diameter, and depth.
- Soil and groundwater conditions at the dig site.
- Other utilities crossing or running near the trench path.
How a Sewer Excavation Project Runs
- 1
Locate the line and call utility locates
The failed section is marked from the camera survey, and other buried utilities crossing the dig path are located first.
- 2
Shoring and trench safety
Trench boxes or shoring are set based on depth and soil conditions before anyone works in the trench.
- 3
Expose and rebuild the section
The damaged pipe is removed and replaced or reconnected, with the joint work done to spec.
- 4
Bedding and compaction
The new section is set on proper bedding material and backfilled in compacted lifts, not dumped in loose.
- 5
Slope verification
Grade is checked along the repaired section to confirm it falls correctly before the trench closes.
- 6
City inspection before backfill
Where the work requires it, the open trench is held for inspection before final backfill and surface restoration.
What Denver Customers Say About Working With Us
“Denver Water And Sewer did an excellent job replacing my sewer lines. Trevor and his crew are extremely competent, honest, professional and prompt.”
“Denver Sewer and Water was a great experience. We had been out of water due to a water main leak into the house for 2 weeks. They came out, gave a go”
“We had an underground water valve break on a Saturday. No fun and expensive to fix regardless of the repair company. Nevertheless, greatly apprecia”
What Drives Sewer Excavation Cost
Depth is the largest single factor, because deeper trenches need more shoring, more spoil handling, and more time. Length of the damaged section, soil type, groundwater, and what sits above the trench, whether that is lawn, a driveway, or a street, all add or remove cost.
Where the work requires a permit, permit and inspection fees are set by the authority with jurisdiction, not by us. We do not include or estimate those fees in our own pricing.
Call (720) 935-6221 to get the line scoped and the excavation scoped from there.
Frequently Asked Questions
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For related services, see our sister company partners in the same family of companies:
Need a Sewer Line Physically Excavated?
We scope the line, mark the dig, and shore it properly. Call (720) 935-6221.