Do you need to dig a trench but not sure where to start? There are plenty of ways to dig one with a little bit of know-how. Whether you need to put in your own irrigation or set in some foundations ahead of doing a little construction in your backyard, there are lots of great tips to creating a trench you can be proud of. Your trench can be of any size – narrow, a foot deep for irrigation or pipes, through to a massive trench for a big excavation. Whatever you need, the tips below will help and can be very handy. In this article, we share steps for building a trench safely using a couple of basic tools you can find laying around in your garden shed.

Want to find a plumber in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide or Perth?

Tips for digging a trench

If you are digging a ditch by hand without any machinery, the first place to start is to loosen the soil around you with a pickaxe. You can work through the soil and loosen it up, so that it is easier to shovel in the next step. Then, you will need to start laying out the edges of your trench with your shovel in preparation for you to dig. The more carefully you do this, the easier it will be. Measure out the width in inches you want the trench to be, and keep an eye on the loose soil to make sure you are not making it too big. Then, you can pull the soil out with a hoe and drag it out to the side of the trench where you can dispose of it. You can use it for later too, when you have finished laying in whatever you need in it. If the job is more than a small trench, you can hire excavators from companies like Kennards Hire. However, you will need to make sure you dial 811 before you dig to make sure you are not going to hit at power or water
pipes. You should be aware of what is around you – anything deeper than 3 feet, it is a good idea to dial before you dig, to make sure you are not going to cause issues. With any trench digging, it is essential that you are well aware of utility lines in your local area, and the space you are digging in. If you end up hitting a drain or a pipe, you could wind up causing a lot more issues than you bargained for.

Image courtesy of Master Flush Plumbing

Other DIY plumbing tips

I have a blocked toilet – how do I clear it?

If you have a blocked toilet, a quick and simple way to unblock the loo could be to use a piece of curved wire to try and unblock or unclog it. Then, see what happens when you flush. If you think it could be a bigger issue, call a plumber to give you a hand and get to the bottom of it.

Why won’t my tap stop leaking?

If you have a leaking tap, you might need a new washer. You can do this by turning off the water supply and then put the plug in the sin. Once you have done this, remove the cover of the tap using a screwdriver, and find the washer. Unscrew this, replace with a new washer and reverse the steps. Then, hopefully, your tap will stop leaking. Once complete, put everything back together.

How do I stop my toilet from running?

This is fairly simple and usually will involve taking off the lid of the cistern. Check the overflow tube, see if the tub is at the correct height and the float is working. If it is not working properly the toilet will keep running. To fix it, you can adjust the flapper chain or even replace the flapper if needed. Once done, put everything back together and you should find that your toilet is back to normal.

Whether you’re trench digging or doing some home plumbing, if you run into any issues or concerns at any stage, always call a plumber to get a professional opinion.