Crossbore Example and Potential Result

by Lateral Concepts, LLC

Often utility companies utilize HDD method or Horizontal Direction Drilling for installing underground utilities like fiber optics, gas lines, cable, phone, etc. Usually down a public right of way. (Like between the street and sidewalk). The method is less intrusive than conventional excavation. However any private utilities that weren't located prior to drilling (like the vitrified clay sewer lateral pictured) can easily be damaged or destroyed. Inevitably a crossbore through a sewer lateral would lead to a blockage or sewer back-up. The typical response of most homeowners when they have a sewer back-up of course, is to call a plumber or rooter company. The problem though, is if the plumber runs a large snake with blades down the sewer line trying to clear a blockage; there's a danger of cutting into the gas line or other utility. Ultimately the two biggest problems are the homeowner that wasn't aware of their damaged sewer and the utility company that suffers expensive damage to their utilities. Worse case scenario disaster would be a natural gas explosion. Either way, the utility company would be responsible to the homeowner to cover the cost of repair. The easy way to avoid all of this would be to simply locate the private sewer lateral prior to performing any kind of excavation, boring, drilling, etc.