new home building question

[lati_cz]

We're in process of demolition old house and will be building new. City building department requested to mark in plans where trench(es) for all utility lines will be located. Who decides/designs where those will be located?
Thank you Michal

[Kman]

I don't know what utilities you have there, I'll try to cover the ones I have.

Gas: The plumbers ran the gas line out of the house whichever way was best for them, and I buried a gas line from there to the meter.

Electrical: Same as gas, except I was the electrician.

Water: Plumbers decided this one also. From the meter to the water heater in as straight of a line as possible.

Sewer: Same as water and gas.

I had a buddy with a backhoe that owed me some favors, so he did the sewer, electrical, and gas. I did the water myself when we did the rough-in plumbing.

Around here, the cable and phone companies bury their own lines, but it's basically the same. Where ever you stub out the lines, they'll take it from there to their pedestal.

[John Bridge]

Adding to what Kevin said, if a certain utility is on the street or road, that's the direction from which you come out of the house. Some places have certain utilities along a right of way in back of the house.

In my case, I'm building on the side of a slope and will be using a septic tank/system, so I brought the sewer line out toward the downhill side. The septic company will take it from there. Electricity comes from wherever the nearest pole is or the nearest switch (large metal box on top of the ground). I guess I'm starting to repeat what Kevin already said.

All of this is taken into consideration by the architect. If you are the architect, as I am, you make the decisions.

[lati_cz]

We have sewer, water, gas, el., tv cable
Someone has to mark location of gas meter and main el. panel on the plans, also mark trenches. Who does it? Electrician and plumber? Or architect?
I'd say architect, he says plumber and el. They say architect.....
I gotta make decision....
Thank you Michal

[Kman]

Your electrician decides where the panel goes. Usually it's on the side of the house closest to where the service pedestal is, but he could decide on a different location and run a cable through the attic to join the meter base and service panel.

Isn't the meter on the property already, or at least the location where the meter will sit? Your plumber will decide where it comes in the house, then it's just a straight of a line as possible from there to the meter.

[lati_cz]

Thank you guys, I always find ll answers here, I appreciate it.
Plumber/el. sub agreed on location of gas meter/main el. panel. We'll go from there.

Are there any restriction regarding to lines under driveway? Also the lines will be close to large trees, resp. roots and we are under very strict arborist supervision.
Again, thank you Michal

[Kman]

I'd sleeve anything that runs under a driveway, especially a water line.

[lati_cz]

the arrow pints where gas el. panel will be located.
the line shows existing utility lines.
Please, note trees - we can't go close.
thank you michal

[Kman]

I don't know what your local code or utility companies require, but here the gas line is yellow plastic and can easily bend wide around trees and other obstructions.

The electrical here has to be sleeved in schedule 80 (used to be schedule 40) plastic conduit. While it doesn't bend, you can glue in 45 degree, and possibly other size pieces to make turns as needed. Again, the way it's done there may be different, but I would make those turns as wide as possible. The reason being, the wire is pulled through the conduit with a rope that's put in as the conduit is assembled. Since the wire is so stiff, it doesn't lend itself to tight turns, so avoid the 90's if possible.

[lati_cz]

Ok, water & sewer line? Looks like we have no choice but go under driveway....

[Kman]

I wouldn't sleeve the sewer line unless your code requires something. PVC has a very high compression rate. But I would sleeve the water line.

I would be very careful to get the sewer line as deep as reasonably possible, and bed it with some gravel. The last thing you want is to have it sink and screw up the fall. Don't ask me how I know about that.

[lati_cz]

Thank you Kevin, i really appreciate your input.

[lati_cz]

here's what architect sent me, does it look like worst option? Going through the slab in garage?

[Kman]

What's the split off the water line underneath the circle drive on the top right of the picture?

When you have to dodge all the trees in the yard, you're pretty limited in what you can do.

[Houston Remodeler]

Then there is always a difference between "as drawn" and "as built"...