Prepare the Site and Trench

What happens here

After confirming a leak, the next step involves preparing the work area by digging a trench along the side of the house to expose the existing main water line and the old poly pipe connection. A shovel and pickaxe can be used for digging, and a wheelbarrow for moving excavated soil. The trench needs to be deep enough to comfortably access the pipes and lay the new temporary line, ideally around 2 feet deep or more, depending on local codes and frost lines.

Goal: Expose the existing water lines for repair or temporary connection