Features of digging a trench for water supply manually, how much the work costs

Although it may seem like a difficult undertaking, digging a trench for a water supply line is a necessary step in many building and remodeling projects. Knowing the procedure and price of manual trench digging can help you save time and money when installing new water lines or fixing old ones in your house.

Creating a trench for water pipes by hand requires the use of simple tools like shovels and picks. When heavy machinery is not accessible or for smaller projects, this approach is frequently used. While it takes time and physical labor, it can be less expensive than hiring machinery.

The soil type, depth, and length of the trench, as well as labor costs in the area, all affect how much digging a trench by hand costs. Generally speaking, the cost includes labor as well as any extra charges for renting tools or other equipment. Having this knowledge will enable you to plan your project’s budget wisely.

The features of manually excavating a trench for water supply, along with the detailed procedure and related expenses, will be covered in this article. By the time this task is over, you will know exactly what to anticipate and how to get ready for it.

Feature	Details
Tools Needed	Shovels, pickaxes, measuring tape
Trench Depth	Minimum 4 feet to avoid freezing
Trench Width	At least 12 inches for standard pipes
Soil Type	Softer soil is easier to dig; rocky soil takes more time
Time Required	Depends on soil and length; generally 1-2 days for 100 feet
Cost of Labor	Typically $20-$50 per hour per worker
Permits	Check local regulations for required permits

When is it advisable to dig with your own hands??

Using machinery, you can quickly dig a trench for a water supply, but you should be aware of the potential risks involved. Vehicles will seriously harm the soil cover after they enter the site. Since the trench has a small volume, the technological option is typically impractical.

Furthermore, such work will come at a high cost. The manual method of trench digging will save you money because it doesn’t require any outlay of cash.

Handwork tools

To dig a trench by hand, you will require the following equipment:

1. Bayonet shovel.
2. Shovel.
3. Scrap.
4. Bucket or wheelbarrow for soil.
5. Pegs and rope.
6. To strengthen the walls of the trench, supporting material.

Turf removal requires a bayonet shovel, while loose soil can be dug up with a shovel. You should make sure the shovels are sharp before you begin working.

Technology

Trenches come in three varieties:

1. Rectangular is used for non-flowing soil. In addition, the depth cannot be more than 1.5 m.
2. Mixed is used for high groundwater. The soil is removed to their depth and drainage is made in the form of gravel or crushed stone.
3. Trapezoidal suitable for deep recesses. Using this form you can prevent soil from falling into the trench.

The best kind of digging is the last one since it keeps the workers safe. Soil that is too weak frequently collapses.

Since the ditch depth depends on the depth at which soil freezes in the chosen area, choosing a ditch depth at random is not an option. Digging should be done at least 50 centimeters deeper if the water supply is outside.

If not, the water will freeze at low temperatures, which will cause the entire route to become depressurized. The entire project will need to be redone because excavation is required to identify the damage location.

Depending on the area, soil freezing can occur between 0.3 and 3 meters below the surface. An architecture or construction company can tell you how much each area is worth.

You can insulate the pipes and shallow the trench if the recommended depth is too deep.

It is important to plan ahead for the storage of the soil in order to restore the soil at the excavation site. It is advised to cover the soil with film. You can bury dense soil a safe distance from the ditch.

Before you can build a trench, you need to mark the area. Selecting the shortest path is advised. Localized marking is accomplished by stringing markers between pegs.

The pegs at the water source and close to the pipeline entrance into the house must be driven. In the event that the trench cannot be marked in this manner because of the road or other structures, it should be turned 90 degrees. In order to connect pipes at right angles, this is required.

Clearing the area of any plants and marking the best route are prerequisites for beginning excavation work.

It is necessary to reinforce the trench walls. There are two options that could work depending on the following:

1. Width and depth of the ditch.
2. Soil type and condition.
3. Excavation option.
4. Distance from above-ground structures and underground communications.

Depending on when the work is done, the properties of the soil may change.

You’ll need the following supplies to complete the fastening:

• Beam;
• Boards;
• Nails and wire.

Because the soil will be applying a lot of pressure to the structure, the wood needs to be dry and of excellent quality. It is imperative that the fence be put together so that it can be easily disassembled before backfilling the soil. A well-installed structure will help save time and avert emergencies.

Vertical reinforcement

It is best to fortify the ditch’s walls vertically if digging a deep ditch for water supply is necessary in loose and weak soils and close to communications.

You’ll need the following supplies to complete the strengthening:

• Spacers;
• Boards 5 cm;
• Nails;
• Overlays.

The structure needs to be put together and installed on the route first. Boards that are joined to one another by transverse struts make up the structure.

As the frame progressively descends during excavation, crumbling soil fills the spaces left behind. There is a maximum length of 3 meters and an average section height of 1.20 meters. There may be one or more tiers to the fastening.

Horizontal reinforcement

This kind of construction is advised for pipelines laid in medium-density soil. Since such soil essentially never crumbles, it is done in stages.

These materials are needed for horizontal fastening:

• Vertical risers;
• Boards;
• Cross braces.

You should put the shield together after building the ditch. After that, attach it to the bottom and place spacers in between. To stop dirt from entering the ditch, the shield’s top should be 0.2 meters above the ground.

In what order should you dig??

The following steps make up the manual digging process:

1. The construction site needs to be cleared of debris. Then mark the places of the water source where the pipeline will be connected and inserted into the main pipe. If water will be collected from a well, then mark the point of entry into the caisson.
2. Depending on the shape of the trench, the approximate width is noted. It can be 50-80 cm.
3. Marking the laying of water pipes is carried out using pegs. They are spaced in increments of at least one meter. It is necessary to make a contour for laying the pipe from the point of water intake to the entrance to the house. This is done by stretching the rope between the pegs.
4. After marking and cleaning the area, a ditch is dug. It is necessary to determine in advance the exact depth of freezing and the trench. To reduce operating time, you can reduce the depth by insulating the pipe. The soil must be removed in layers using a bayonet and then a shovel.
5. After laying the pipeline, the soil is backfilled using a tamper.

How can you speed up your work??

Using a cultivator to loosen the soil will expedite the work process. After that, it will be simple and quick to remove the dirt.

Others claim that drilling wells every three to four meters with a diameter of no more than 15 cm is a good way to accelerate. You can add a small amount of water to loose soil. Next, a metal glass with a wall cut out is placed inside the opening. Using a hoe, the dirt is raked into a glass. The element should be taken out and released after it has been filled.

Hand trenching for a water supply system is an economical, labor-intensive approach that works well for small-scale projects or locations where equipment is not available. The fundamental procedures for manually excavating trenches, such as site preparation, excavation methods, and safety precautions, will be covered in this article. It will also give a summary of the expenses related to this work, assisting homeowners in knowing what to budget for if they choose to use a manual approach.

Advantages and disadvantages of the manual method

The following are some benefits of manual digging:

• Saving money;
• Preservation of fertile soil layer;

The time needed to complete the task and the material expenses are the only drawbacks.

Possible problems

It is advised to locate any additional subterranean utilities before digging a trench. The necessary horizontal indentation must be included in the highway’s design.

The following distance can be used to lay the pipeline:

1. From the power cable – 0.5 m.
2. From the sewer – 3 m.
3. From the heating network – 1.5 m.
4. At least 1 m from the gas pipeline.

Installing a water pipeline beneath an asphalt road could be problematic. You must get permission to do the work because it will be impossible to dig a trench without destroying the coating.

How much does it cost to dig a rut by hand??

The cost of excavating a trench for water supply is contingent upon the soil type and geographic location.

An hour’s work in five of the Russian Federation’s major cities would roughly cost:

• In Moscow – from 350 rubles;
• In St. Petersburg – from 300 rubles;
• In Yekaterinburg – from 300 rubles;
• In Nizhny Novgorod – from 200 rubles;
• In Novosibirsk – from 190 rubles.

In the Russian Federation, the average cost is roughly 1000 rubles per linear meter.

It takes time and careful planning to dig a trench by hand for a water supply. Despite the seemingly simple nature of the task, it is crucial to take into account the trench’s depth, width, and length in order to guarantee appropriate water flow and pipe installation. It’s also essential to comprehend local laws and obtain the required permits in order to prevent any legal problems.

The cost of manually digging a trench can vary greatly depending on the type of soil, the required depth, and labor costs in the area. It usually costs less than hiring large machinery, but it also takes more time and physical work. You can save money by doing it yourself or by hiring local labor, but you should consider the time and effort involved.

The first priority should always be safety. The key to preventing accidents is to use the right tools, wear protective gear, and be aware of subterranean utilities. It’s also a good idea to budget for unforeseen events that could affect the project’s progress and cost, like changes in the weather or unexpected soil conditions.

All things considered, manual trench digging for water supply is a less expensive option, but it also necessitates careful planning and diligence. Through comprehension of the required procedures and possible obstacles, homeowners can effectively accomplish the assignment, guaranteeing a dependable and effective water supply system for their estate.

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