Sewer excavation at a commercial or mixed-use property can disrupt parking, pedestrian access, and plumbing service — but the scope depends heavily on pipe location, depth, and how much of the run needs to be replaced. Done plans the work to keep disruption as narrow and short as possible, and communicates the timeline in plain terms before the first shovel goes in the ground.

Understanding What Excavation Actually Involves

A sewer excavation means opening the ground above the damaged pipe to access it directly. For a building, this might mean work in a parking lot, along a sidewalk, in a landscaped area, or — in the case of a drain line buried under a slab — inside the structure itself. The width and length of the trench depends on pipe depth (which in Denver can be 6 feet or more given frost-line requirements), pipe diameter, and how far the damage extends. Done uses a camera inspection before excavation to map the problem precisely, which avoids opening more ground than necessary.

Access and Parking Impacts

If the sewer main runs beneath a parking lot or driveway — common in commercial properties — excavation will temporarily block some or all of that area. Done works with you in advance to identify which sections will be affected and for how long. Typical excavation and pipe replacement on a defined segment can be completed in one to three days depending on depth and pipe material. Safety barriers and signage are installed at the start of the job. Where partial access to a parking area or entry must remain open, the crew stages the work to keep unaffected lanes clear.

Plumbing Service Interruption

Any building connected to the affected sewer line will have drain service interrupted during active excavation and pipe connection work. For most sewer replacements this interruption is measured in hours, not full days — Done coordinates the connection sequence to minimize downtime. If your business has restrooms that serve customers or employees, Done will tell you exactly when service will be offline and when it will be restored. For healthcare, food service, or other operations where any service interruption creates compliance concerns, this timeline discussion happens at the estimate stage so you can plan accordingly.

Trenchless Alternatives Reduce the Footprint

Not every sewer problem requires open excavation. Done assesses each line with a camera first to determine whether pipe lining or pipe bursting is feasible. Cured-in-place pipe lining rehabilitates the existing pipe from the inside with no trenching — for commercial properties this can be the difference between a one-day job with minimal surface impact and a multi-day excavation. When trenchless is an option, it is almost always the better choice for keeping your operation running.

Permits, Inspections, and Right-of-Way Work

If the sewer line crosses public right-of-way — the street, a city easement, or a shared alley — a permit is required from the municipality. Done handles permitting. In Denver and surrounding Front Range municipalities this can add a few days of lead time before work begins, but it also means inspections are covered and the work is documented correctly for future property transactions. If right-of-way must be opened, traffic control measures are coordinated with the city as part of the permit process.

  • Camera inspection first — confirms scope before any digging
  • Trenchless lining or bursting used when pipe condition allows, reducing surface impact
  • Safety barriers and signage installed from day one
  • Drain service interruption typically measured in hours, not days
  • Done pulls all permits and manages inspection scheduling
  • Surface restoration — asphalt patch, concrete, grade — completed at job close

Questions about how a sewer project would affect your specific property? Contact our sewer services team for a camera inspection and a clear scope of work, and ask about financing options for larger replacements.