I grew up in the Midwest and did building trades work through high school and college. I’m no expert, but I’ve seen how houses should be built. It blows my mind when I see how haphazardly some shit is built here....things that would never fly or pass code in many other places.
I’m my area the bedrock is very shallow and there is very little natural soil (often 6inches or less). Utilities like waterlines need trenches cut straight into the bedrock, and for water it’s usually 2-3feet deep for the main line along the street. Shallower in yards where the service line comes off of the main and goes to the house. Waterline in my front yard off of the main is probably only 12-18 inches deep. I’ve seen a lot of utilities get installed, and it’s kind of crazy sometimes when you see how it’s done and who is doing the work. There’s always someone on site who knows how things should be done, but then you have the guys actually doing the work. And many love to cut corners wherever they can when boss ain’t looking.
my house is on a giant concrete slab and that sits right on the bedrock. Fortunately my lines are in the slab underneath my house. But it is fairly common for houses to have utilities in there attic. Water lines, water heater, etc. Thankfully I only have dry utilities above in my house. I’m starting to hear horror stories from all around town because of broken lines flooding from above.
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