Let’s face it, on a building site, underground utility work doesn’t exactly command attention. It’s not as thrilling as framing walls or pouring concrete. The problem is that there can be severe consequences if something goes wrong underground and especially around critical elements like electrical pits.
We are discussing budget overruns, delays, and a great deal of finger-pointing.
What subsurface errors are even skilled teams unaware of? Let’s see how to prevent three of the most prevalent ones.
1. Assuming Everything Will Just “Fit”
This one happens more often than you’d think. Different teams handle different utilities, stormwater, electrical, and plumbing, each doing their own design without looping the others in. On paper, everything looks good. But out on site? That’s where reality hits.
Suddenly, the stormwater pipes don’t have enough fall because the plumbers already laid their lines. Electrical conduits are awkwardly rerouted around other services. And when the electrical pits arrive, no one’s sure where to put them.
It’s like trying to shove five toolboxes into a drawer made for two. Technically possible? Maybe. But it’s going to be messy.
What to do instead:
Get everyone in the same room early. Your civil engineer, sparkies, plumbers, all of them. Walk through the underground layout together. Use a shared drawing (ideally in 3D or BIM) to spot clashes before they show up in the trench. It doesn’t take long, and it saves days of rework later.
2. Ignoring the Little Things (That Actually Matter)
Ever noticed how the smallest errors can cause the biggest headaches? Take the pipe cap, for example. A PVC pipe cap isn’t exactly glamorous. But leave an open pipe exposed without a cover, and even a single decent rain can turn your neat trench into a muddy mess. Dirt, water, even small animals, they’ll all find a way in.
Let’s say in one project, you were halted in your progress because unbanded pipes had junk clogged in them overnight. That means flushing the system out, re-clearing the trench, and delaying inspection for two full days. All because it cost a few dollars.
Quick fix:
Always cap the ends of exposed pipes, especially if they’re going to be there for more than a few hours. It’s that little task nobody wants to do until they have to replumb the entire thing because it wasn’t done.
3. Believing “Out of Sight” Means “Out of Mind
Just because it’s underground doesn’t mean it’s finished. One of the largest false assumptions in work underground is that once it’s in the ground, it’s ready.
But what if someone backfills too quickly without verifying clearances? Or if your access points, such as electrical pits, become buried under a future slab or even next to a footing? Fixing anything below grade level is expensive. You may need to demolish concrete, dig anew, or reroute them, which would be after spending too much time and money over budget.
Better approach:
Design the underground services as permanent structures, as they are intended to be. Maintain correct spacing, ensure access is clear, and future repairs won’t require major demolition. It’s far easier to tweak the plan now than to tear everything apart afterwards.
Don’t Let What’s Below Ground Drag You Down
Errors underground are typically the result of assumptions, hasty planning, or a breakdown in communication rather than a lack of expertise. Sadly, those are the kinds of mistakes that only become apparent when you’re already well immersed in the work.
The good news, though? These problems can be prevented.
Spend some time organizing. Take note of the small details, such as pipe caps. Additionally, underground work should receive the same consideration as above-ground construction; it should not be treated as a mere box to check. Your project is behind schedule and mired in issues, including stormwater pipes that are not aligned, electrical pits that are positioned incorrectly, and a missing PVC pipe cap. Make better plans now to avoid having to do a lot of research later.