I like the sod cutting part, nice with the edger, we have a sod cutter, when you lay the sod over and to one side when you dig the dirt out put it on a tarp or weed barrier, thius way you will not lose so much dirt into the grass, it will loke cleaner as well. another trick we do when installing the dirt back onto the trench is to make mud. Get a hose out and fill the trench with water thenm put the dirt back, it will self level and then you can add your sod on top, any left over dirt on the tarp put in the seems. hel;ps us up north where our sod is not so sandy. good video
I just installed a sprinkler system. I used an edging spade to cut the sod. I only went 2 inches wide and rolled the sod over. I went 8 inches deep. I used a pick ax that I sharpen the wide blade to a fine edge. Since the trench only needs to an inch wide it took no time to dig 250 feet of trench 8 inches deep. Once the dirt is replaced and the sod rolled in it is almost impossible to see.
@@coachdsimpson found it in table 300.5 gotta say I didn’t know that one. Thanks for the heads up. I’ll use it next time I’m running power to a shed or something.
He's in Florida. Here in Florida, there is no minimum depth requirement for irrigation - we do not have a freeze line to worry about - especially how far south as he is in the state.
Really helpful video--thank you. But please excuse the stupid question - what's the name of that power tool? I'm seeing several people in the comments referencing Weed whacker's, but weed whackers don't spin vertically.
Its called an Edger. Its used to cut the edge of the grass on the sidewalks, walk ways, and driveways and now its used to help trenching. Great question.
Here in Florida, there is no minimum depth requirement for irrigation - we do not have a freeze line to worry about - especially here in Miami/Ft. Lauderdale.
Shit I was just using a sawzall with a long ass wood blade. I do a pass on either side with the blade straight down and then a pass on either side at a 45 degree angle, after that I cut every 8 or so inches across and make rectangle chunks, use a shovel to get the first one out but after that you can pick the chunks up one by one hella fasf
Great work!! I hope you're getting paid what you deserve because this is so much beyond what other people do. That being said, can you do my sprinklers? Lol
Good question. In northern NJ you can't put a shovel 4" into the soil without hitting a rock the size of a baking potato. The edger would be throwing sparks the entire time - and the blade would be destroyed. Most installers seem to own or rent trenchers like this: panhandlerentalcenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Trencher-%E2%80%93-Barreto.jpg
@@joeb3300 I’m in the waldwick/ saddle river area. Trenching with shovel only takes a long time. And you need to be around 10” deep. I shift a lot of the dirt to get any rocks bigger than 1/4”. This way I don’t need to fight if I need to dig anything up.
I have old copper piping ran for my wiring encase. Is it possible to run the wire through the soldered pipes. I'm thinking the issue would be the 90 degree turns. Any suggestions or should I just bury it? How deep?
When using conduit for wires, i push the wires through the pipe first. Then i put the wire through the 90s but dont connect them until you have all the wire in the pipes. Once that is done, i will then connect all the fitting. This method will make it easier. Pushing through the 90s is always going to be a pain in butt.
Here in Florida, there is no minimum depth requirement for irrigation - we do not have a freeze line to worry about - especially here in Miami/Ft. Lauderdale.
STEP 2. Get your PRESSURE WASHER out. Install the red tip and use it to cut the trench out. You will not damage any other pipes, cable, wires, drain or gas lines. Also it only has to be as wide as your pipe.
So, irrigation lines get winterized anyway, how deep should they be? Is 6 inches / 150 cm enough? I know the depths for wiring and conduit because it's in the NEC, but I couldn't find any guidance for irrigation pipe.
Why should you dig a 4in wide trench to bury a 3/4 to 1in water line? look into the MargaWalt QuickTrench system. The 8in high blade is perfect for irrigation lines... It digs a trench WITHOUT REMOVING ANY DIRT... one of our pros digs 8in deep trenches at THREE FEET A MINUTE!
great question...i widen it during the process to ensure it grows in better. if its too narrow, the grass won't recover properly, and you'll have to wait for natural growth, which can take significantly longer. This method is like using sod.
Please don’t bury irrigation lines 5 inches deep. If that lawn is ever aerated, tilled, or dug up you’re going to destroy that pipe. I have a system that was installed that way. When my lawn was tilled to put new sod down they hit the irrigation pipes 6 different times, and this lawn was small.
I was just thinking that. Plus there might be codes as to required depth. Maybe not for sprinkler lines but most certainly for electrical as in running power to shed.
Irrigation doesn’t have to be very deep. Six inches is plenty. I’m a communications contractor and I really wish you guys would lay locatable wire with the irrigation.
@@tjyoursprinklerguy8846your wrong that’s too shallow all it takes is the cable company to say hey we need a new line. The minimum that cable companies go is 6 inches in other states a foot.
You are so right. If it’s not more than 4” below the soil surface, a good aerator will definitely break or at least nick that pipe. My machine goes about 2.5-3.5” deep but can go deeper in very moist soil.
....only a landscaper would use a pony shovel to do irrigation work...irrigation contractors use spades...they are much more practical and efficient...
Here in Florida, there is no minimum depth requirement for irrigation - we do not have a freeze line to worry about - especially here in Miami/Ft. Lauderdale.
1. All you need is the shovel to slice the grass no need for that weed eater. 2. proceed to dig at the very minimum 1 whole shovel depth (280mm) PLUS a further 100mm once that trench is cleared. 3. Square off the trench edges again. 4. Clear the trench with a garden hoe (a skinny grub hoe) Mate don’t cut corners burying services just below the soil.m PS if you encounter old pipes etc ALWAYS take your new conduit under that service. Take the extra 5 minutes to trench under the old service.
This method only works on the soil, not clay. I have clay, I used this. Doesn't work. I dug the shit out of it but the clay won this batter against me.
St. Augustine grass here in South Florida is very thick and has a lot of strong roots. This method pierces the grass allowing me to remove chunks of grass first, then i shovel the dirt out.
Ya that whole edger weed Wacker is a extra and very unnecessary step waist of time I do this for a living also cutting in to smaller chunks also waist of time you can flip the whole thing over at once it just rolls out of there much easier to put back together
Not when you have St. Augustine grass., its way to think with strong roots. You will waste a lot of energy using the trenching spade. This took me less then 10 mins to cut using the edger. If you use a shovel, you easily be there a couple hours and tired AF.
By far the best trenching video I've seen.
I like the sod cutting part, nice with the edger, we have a sod cutter, when you lay the sod over and to one side when you dig the dirt out put it on a tarp or weed barrier, thius way you will not lose so much dirt into the grass, it will loke cleaner as well. another trick we do when installing the dirt back onto the trench is to make mud. Get a hose out and fill the trench with water thenm put the dirt back, it will self level and then you can add your sod on top, any left over dirt on the tarp put in the seems. hel;ps us up north where our sod is not so sandy. good video
Thanks Tom. Im going to try the water trick.
Thank you . You made it look simple. I’ve to watch this over and over again. As a female I’m digging a trench in 2 days.
How did it come out?
@@tjyoursprinklerguy8846 I followed your example and I was totally surprised. I did it all by myself. Thank you a
Hi Gena, I am so glad it help you. Happy holidays to you and your family.
There’s a man that appreciates work done right
Well done sir
Thanks for the upload
This is much appreciated for us DIYers. Thank you TJ!
I just installed a sprinkler system. I used an edging spade to cut the sod. I only went 2 inches wide and rolled the sod over. I went 8 inches deep. I used a pick ax that I sharpen the wide blade to a fine edge. Since the trench only needs to an inch wide it took no time to dig 250 feet of trench 8 inches deep. Once the dirt is replaced and the sod rolled in it is almost impossible to see.
4:40 any info on that dump truck passing by ?
Best comment ever
"I don't remember seeing any du......oooh"
I wish I seen this video 3 days ago lol awesome vid and helpful for future projects. I seen another video where a guy use a sawzall worked pretty good
Excellent video! Thanks so much for posting!!
electrical pipes need to be 18" inches down below grade to top of pipe. 12" inches if its gfci protected. sprinklers should be at least 6" inches.
I’ve seen 24” for UF and 18” for conduit. Where did you see in the NEC code book 12” if it’s gfci protected?
@@MrStatic101 google it.
@@coachdsimpson found it in table 300.5 gotta say I didn’t know that one. Thanks for the heads up. I’ll use it next time I’m running power to a shed or something.
6" buried if you use rigid conduit
He's in Florida. Here in Florida, there is no minimum depth requirement for irrigation - we do not have a freeze line to worry about - especially how far south as he is in the state.
This dude knows his business!
Thanks man.
So much better. Pro tip. Thanks TJ!
Awesome video dude! Looks like you were doing sprinkler piping. You have a very clean method of doing conduit work and lawn trenching.
B m g
Thanks dude.
Good job, a man that is proud of his work
Gonna give this a try. Thank you
Brilliant, well done video. There are also a lot of good comments.
Pure genius 👏🙌👌 I just knew my weed eater had a usable attachment for such things
Very nicely done!
Thanks Starting in the morning.
I'm installing my irrigation, and living in Washington State I went 18 inches due to cold weather.....
Like your video. Only thing for me is I'd definitely go a little deeper (here in Minnesota)
Nice video! Go Orange!
Love watching yr videos! What is the biggest sprinkler system you’ve ever installed?!
Nice work!
This is awesome mate, doing some of this tonight, this has helped me heaps!
Thats awesome. How did it come out?
Exactly what I need to do. Thank you so much
You are so welcome!
Super! a video about scratched the ground? I find it funny. 😂 it's 30 minutes of work for a healthy woman.
Thanks for watching tho....
Thanks TJ!
4:40... Moving to florida
Really helpful video--thank you. But please excuse the stupid question - what's the name of that power tool? I'm seeing several people in the comments referencing Weed whacker's, but weed whackers don't spin vertically.
I believe its called an edger attachment.
Its called an Edger. Its used to cut the edge of the grass on the sidewalks, walk ways, and driveways and now its used to help trenching. Great question.
Great video. But instead of putting the spoils on the grass where you're going to lose some of it lay out a tarp and put it on that
Here in Florida, there is no minimum depth requirement for irrigation - we do not have a freeze line to worry about - especially here in Miami/Ft. Lauderdale.
Good technique, but that is way too high up - first time that grass is aerated that line is toast.
i was thinking the same thing..
Shit I was just using a sawzall with a long ass wood blade. I do a pass on either side with the blade straight down and then a pass on either side at a 45 degree angle, after that I cut every 8 or so inches across and make rectangle chunks, use a shovel to get the first one out but after that you can pick the chunks up one by one hella fasf
what a great idea.
Great work!! I hope you're getting paid what you deserve because this is so much beyond what other people do.
That being said, can you do my sprinklers? Lol
You can just cut sodd out with a spade. Pop out 4" move back and repeat. It's easier than all that.
True but its hard to do that with St. Augustine grass. This method is way easier and much faster.
Gas pipe must be 18" below grade and marked. Do it right when running gas to that grill.
Nice work bro
What model of trimmer and edger attachment are you using?
I believe that is the Stihl model FC 96 edger.
www.stihlusa.com/products/edgers/professional-edgers/fc96/?aqid=e8f0bb0c342c1c9393023242f3a94a5f
Thanks, now I can do it. What about the sprinkler heads?
What happens in a yard with lots of rocks and cement blocks under soil surface? Every time I stick a shovel in my ground I hit something solid.
Good question. In northern NJ you can't put a shovel 4" into the soil without hitting a rock the size of a baking potato. The edger would be throwing sparks the entire time - and the blade would be destroyed. Most installers seem to own or rent trenchers like this:
panhandlerentalcenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Trencher-%E2%80%93-Barreto.jpg
@@joeb3300 I’m in the waldwick/ saddle river area. Trenching with shovel only takes a long time. And you need to be around 10” deep. I shift a lot of the dirt to get any rocks bigger than 1/4”. This way I don’t need to fight if I need to dig anything up.
Easy, you have to use pickaxe.
Yeah rocks suck when trenching. I hit them all the time with the shovel.
I have old copper piping ran for my wiring encase. Is it possible to run the wire through the soldered pipes. I'm thinking the issue would be the 90 degree turns. Any suggestions or should I just bury it? How deep?
When using conduit for wires, i push the wires through the pipe first. Then i put the wire through the 90s but dont connect them until you have all the wire in the pipes. Once that is done, i will then connect all the fitting. This method will make it easier. Pushing through the 90s is always going to be a pain in butt.
Wow, that is so shallow. Electrical conduit is required to be 24" below. Do you have a technique for deeper holes?
Conduit is only required to be 6", direct burial is 24"
@@SolarAbyss And then you'll do aerification to your lawn...
Here in Florida, there is no minimum depth requirement for irrigation - we do not have a freeze line to worry about - especially here in Miami/Ft. Lauderdale.
the only improvement i could suggest is rolling some blue tarp alongside to put the dirt on to ease the putting back in
I do that sometimes. Definitely saves time.
STEP 2. Get your PRESSURE WASHER out. Install the red tip and use it to cut the trench out. You will not damage any other pipes, cable, wires, drain or gas lines. Also it only has to be as wide as your pipe.
So, irrigation lines get winterized anyway, how deep should they be? Is 6 inches / 150 cm enough? I know the depths for wiring and conduit because it's in the NEC, but I couldn't find any guidance for irrigation pipe.
Good practice is to bury irrigation lines at least 8 inches deep.
@@LaFox23 Thank you!
More easy and 1000%time fast when the use for my kit in ground line used pressure, washer😊
Only issues with that it will create mud everywhere and makesit very messy to work in.
Why should you dig a 4in wide trench to bury a 3/4 to 1in water line? look into the MargaWalt QuickTrench system. The 8in high blade is perfect for irrigation lines... It digs a trench WITHOUT REMOVING ANY DIRT...
one of our pros digs 8in deep trenches at THREE FEET A MINUTE!
great question...i widen it during the process to ensure it grows in better. if its too narrow, the grass won't recover properly, and you'll have to wait for natural growth, which can take significantly longer. This method is like using sod.
Please don’t bury irrigation lines 5 inches deep. If that lawn is ever aerated, tilled, or dug up you’re going to destroy that pipe. I have a system that was installed that way. When my lawn was tilled to put new sod down they hit the irrigation pipes 6 different times, and this lawn was small.
I was just thinking that. Plus there might be codes as to required depth. Maybe not for sprinkler lines but most certainly for electrical as in running power to shed.
5 inches?? You’re being generous
@@BobJohnson-h3kthere aren’t any codes for the depth of irrigation pipe. That’s how these contractors get away with installs like these.
18 inches brother that’s in the NEC
@tj What kind of shovel is that?
Hi J. This is a trench shovel. You could get them at Home Depot.
I would angle the edger to cut a V.
St. Augustine grass is very thick so here im just piercing the grass making it easy to remove small chucks.
@0:29 what happens if you knock down a bee nest
Hey Tony. You better be able to run fast...lol
That trench is too shallow for irrigation lines...
Its a lot deeper than it looks. Plus, Its a small front yard. Nothing is going to happen to those pipes unless they decide to add a new landscape.
Hey what depth do you recommend?
Irrigation doesn’t have to be very deep. Six inches is plenty. I’m a communications contractor and I really wish you guys would lay locatable wire with the irrigation.
@@tjyoursprinklerguy8846your wrong that’s too shallow all it takes is the cable company to say hey we need a new line. The minimum that cable companies go is 6 inches in other states a foot.
@@markalton4610 I can say the same this about you guys.
I rented a trencher, 285 feet in 1.5 hours, way too many roots to do manually
If you aerate you’re gonna wreck that pipe lol
the pipe is a lot deeper than it looks.
You are so right. If it’s not more than 4” below the soil surface, a good aerator will definitely break or at least nick that pipe. My machine goes about 2.5-3.5” deep but can go deeper in very moist soil.
Most folks I know who have lawn irrigation systems installed only use liquid aerator now.
@@tjyoursprinklerguy8846 lol no it’s not
There's always someone who has to dump on other people's work. It's more than deep enough. An aerator only pulls out a 2" plug
How deep do I have to go? Planning on doing this.
I went about 10” deep.
If you’re laying pvc for electrical wire I think it’s supposed to measure 18-24 inches to the top of the conduit
@@justin-ec5ni only for direct burial. If in rigid conduit, only 6 inches
Texas in homes 6-8 " deep comercial 16"to 24 " deep
@@tjyoursprinklerguy8846 how about in minnesota irrigation system it's cold up here I would imagine I would need to go deeper to do a proper job?
what is the name of this trench tool ?
Its called "make your life easier" tool.
....only a landscaper would use a pony shovel to do irrigation work...irrigation contractors use spades...they are much more practical and efficient...
Yeah until you start cutting interest wires…
Oh, to have dirt like that - instead of southern hard red clay!
Goon Spoon. 😂
Way to shallow, aeration or even one car driving slightly over the grass would snap it.
Here in Florida, there is no minimum depth requirement for irrigation - we do not have a freeze line to worry about - especially here in Miami/Ft. Lauderdale.
Slit and stuff half the work and a lot quicker.
1. All you need is the shovel to slice the grass no need for that weed eater.
2. proceed to dig at the very minimum 1 whole shovel depth (280mm) PLUS a further 100mm once that trench is cleared.
3. Square off the trench edges again.
4. Clear the trench with a garden hoe (a skinny grub hoe)
Mate don’t cut corners burying services just below the soil.m
PS if you encounter old pipes etc ALWAYS take your new conduit under that service. Take the extra 5 minutes to trench under the old service.
Seems like it'd be even better to cut along both sides of your sod. . .
Yes much easier.
How deep did you trench?
Hi Miguel. No more then 10”
@@tjyoursprinklerguy8846 It doesn't look like it's more than 5
This method only works on the soil, not clay. I have clay, I used this. Doesn't work. I dug the shit out of it but the clay won this batter against me.
Not really sure the value of the trimmer.. seems you did what you needed with the shovel…
St. Augustine grass here in South Florida is very thick and has a lot of strong roots. This method pierces the grass allowing me to remove chunks of grass first, then i shovel the dirt out.
I’m pretty sure sprinkler line should be at least a foot or more down. Feel bad for the guy that owns this house. Hope this job was free.
Lol…good one.
Man uses edger to trench
RUclips CC: Music and Applause
I use a edger to pierce the grass then i use a shovel.
Ya that whole edger weed Wacker is a extra and very unnecessary step waist of time I do this for a living also cutting in to smaller chunks also waist of time you can flip the whole thing over at once it just rolls out of there much easier to put back together
Hi D. If you have Saint Augustine Grass and live in South Florida, this is a MUST. Thanks for watching.
That’s shallow!
best way is to hire someone to do it
Thats why they hired me.
Trenching spade.....so much less work
Not when you have St. Augustine grass., its way to think with strong roots. You will waste a lot of energy using the trenching spade. This took me less then 10 mins to cut using the edger. If you use a shovel, you easily be there a couple hours and tired AF.
@@tjyoursprinklerguy8846 do you know how a trench spade works?
thats not the best way for trenching......check de next time #georipper
LOL. what DIYer would use a geoipper.
That is a terrible way to do it.
Ok please show me a better way then.