Common questions about underground utility installation

Answers about trenchless methods, burial depths, and Dallas code requirements.

Hitting unmarked gas, water, or electrical lines during drilling causes service outages, emergency repair costs averaging $3,000-$8,000, and potential fines from utility companies. Locating existing infrastructure before drilling prevents strikes and keeps your project on schedule.

Utilities buried above Dallas code minimums (36 inches for water, 18 inches for electrical) risk freeze damage, accidental strikes during future excavation, and code violations halting construction. Proper depth verification prevents costly re-installation and ensures long-term protection.

Underground utility installation connects water, sewer, and electrical lines from city mains to your property using trenchless methods like horizontal directional drilling or open-cut trenching. Trenchless methods install pipes under roads and obstacles with minimal surface disruption.

Dallas code requires 36-inch minimum depth for water lines, 18 inches for electrical conduits, and 24 inches for sewer lines in clay soil. Depth varies by utility type and local frost line requirements. We verify burial depth for all installations.

Horizontal directional drilling installs utilities under roads, driveways, and slabs without surface excavation, preserving landscaping and avoiding road restoration costs. Open trenching works for on-site runs where surface access is available. We recommend the method based on your site conditions.

Costs depend on installation method, distance, and obstacles. Horizontal directional drilling typically runs $40-$80 per linear foot for road crossings. Open-cut trenching costs $15-$30 per linear foot for on-site runs. We provide site-specific quotes after assessing your property.

Yes. Horizontal directional drilling bores under roads, driveways, and slabs without surface excavation. We drill a pilot bore, ream to size, and pull pipe through in one pass—no asphalt removal or road restoration required.

Underground Home Construction

Common Challenges

Open trenches destroy landscaping and driveways

Hitting existing lines during excavation

Road crossings require permits and restoration

How We Help

Horizontal directional drilling under roads and slabs

Utility location before drilling prevents line strikes

Homeowners Building Underground Homes

Property Owners Crossing Roads or Driveways

Builders Upgrading Utilities for Buried Structures

Underground Home Construction

Site Preparation

Earth-Sheltered Home Design

Earth-Sheltered Engineering

Earth-Sheltered Waterproofing

Earth-Sheltered Permitting

Underground Shelter Installation

Earth-Sheltered Construction Consulting

About Dallas Underground Homes

Our Mission & Values

Site Preparation

Underground Utility Installation

Earth-Sheltered Home Design

Earth-Sheltered Engineering

Earth-Sheltered Waterproofing

Earth-Sheltered Permitting

Underground Shelter Installation

Earth-Sheltered Construction Consulting

Payments

Business Hours

Burial depths meet Dallas code for clay soil

Auger boring for larger diameter crossings

Site trenching with proper bedding and backfill