# Sewer Line Excavation Work in 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.

## 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.

- 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.

## 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.

- 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 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

**How do you decide between trenchless repair and excavation?**

The camera inspection decides it. If the pipe still holds a usable shape and the defects are limited, trenchless usually works. If the pipe is collapsed, severely offset, or the damage is spread across too much of the run, excavation is the more reliable fix.

**Will excavation destroy my landscaping?**

The trench footprint is limited to what the repair needs, and we restore what we disturb. Larger trees, mature landscaping, or hardscape directly over the line will need to come up and be restored as part of the scope.

**Do you need a permit to excavate for a sewer repair?**

Depending on the location and jurisdiction, a permit and inspection may be required, particularly where the trench crosses a public right of way. We confirm what applies for your address and coordinate the inspection.

**How long does a sewer excavation take?**

It depends on depth and the length of the damaged section. A shallow, short repair can close in a day. A deep main-line tap or a longer collapsed run takes longer once shoring and inspection scheduling are factored in.

**Is the ground properly compacted after the trench closes?**

It should be, and we backfill in lifts with compaction rather than dumping loose material back in. Poor compaction is why some repaired trenches sink months later, and we build to avoid that.

**Does the city do sewer excavation on private property?**

No. Denver Sewer and Water is a private, family owned and operated company. We are not Denver Water or the City and County of Denver. The utility or municipality with jurisdiction owns the main, sets fees, and inspects the work. We are the licensed contractor who performs the physical tap.

## Related Sewer Line Repair Services

- [Trenchless Sewer Line Repair](https://www.denversewerandwater.com/sewer-lines/trenchless-sewer-line-repair/denver-co) Pipe lining and pipe bursting for failing sewer lines with minimal digging.
- [Sewer Line Scope and Video Inspection](https://www.denversewerandwater.com/sewer-lines/sewer-line-scope-video-inspection/denver-co) Camera survey of a sewer line before any tap, repair, or excavation decision.
- [Sewer Line Replacement and Installation](https://www.denversewerandwater.com/sewer-lines/sewer-line-replacement-installation/denver-co) Full replacement when repair is not the durable answer.
- [Sewer Line Locating and Troubleshooting](https://www.denversewerandwater.com/sewer-lines/sewer-line-locating-troubleshooting/denver-co) Finding the line and the failure point before anyone digs.
- [Sewer Lines in Denver](https://www.denversewerandwater.com/sewer-lines/denver-co) The full sewer line lane: repair, replacement, trenchless, and inspection.

---

Denver Sewer and Water is a privately owned, licensed and insured plumbing contractor. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to Denver Water, the municipal water utility, or any government entity. To pay a municipal water bill or reach the public utility, visit denverwater.org.

Source: https://www.denversewerandwater.com/sewer-lines/sewer-line-excavation/denver-co