Duct Bank Installation in Dallas, TX & Surrounding Areas

Utility Duct Banks

Rueben Group Underground Utility Duct Banks

When installing electrical or wiring systems on a property, you need a duct bank to protect the cables from the elements.

Rueben Group offers concrete duct bank installation throughout the Dallas-Forth Worth area. Our expert contractors lay reinforced concrete around PVC pipes or conduits to ensure a safe, secure pathway for your electrical cables.

If you are looking for duct bank installation near Dallas or Fort Worth, TX, we’re here to help.

What Is a Duct Bank?

A duct bank is a concrete pathway that allows a large quantity of data and electrical cables to securely run without being damaged or tampered with. Some duct banks are installed above ground, but the majority are designed to run underground.

Duct banks are common on construction sites to protect electrical cables from equipment, as well as on campuses, hospitals, industrial facilities, and data centers that have large quantities of cables that run underground or need to be routed to a central location.

Our contractors scout your site and identify the best place to install your duct bank, then we mark appropriate dig sites and create trenches that we will use to lay the concrete.

A duct bank is important because it ensures proper spacing of cables, which can help avoid issues such as overheating, cable congestion, and damage from external elements.

The Duct Bank Installation Process

Learn how the duct bank installation procedure works from start to finish with Rueben Excavation.

1. Site Inspection

We scout your site and thoroughly inspect it to determine where the best location for your duct bank could be. We’ll then mark the installation site to specify where conduits will be placed and where our contractors will dig the trenches.

If you have an above-ground conduit, then we’ll mark the installation location before moving on to the next phase of installation.

2. Duct Bank Design

We develop a customized duct bank installation plan based on factors like cable length and width, depth requirements, and the layout of your property. Our goal is to ensure enduring, reliable communication with your property while also ensuring there is adequate opportunity to scale as needed.

Concrete and PVC are the most common materials used in duct bank construction, but some tubes are also made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE). Cable frames, racks, and support brackets are also chosen to ensure that the cables remain stable and properly spaced at all times.

3. Duct Bank Trenching

With the help of a backhoe, we dig trenches at the appropriate depth to ensure your duct bank is the right size for your banks. The total length and width of the trench will depend on the number of ducts you need.

Ducts are usually laid beside one another, but they may be laid vertically in some cases, such as in areas with limited space or when we need to separate certain types of cables from one another.

4. Duct Installation and Cable Pulling

Ducts are laid according to the client-approved design and set up with the appropriate support structures for the cables.

Next, we run the cables through the ducts and mount them on their respective support structures. The next step is terminating cables at their endpoint, which involves connecting them to their targeted distribution point.

5. Backfilling

During the final stage of installation, we refill the trenches with reinforced concrete. We surround the ducts with concrete to provide maximum protection against the elements. This creates a shell around the pipes. Then, we’ll cover the concrete with a backfill material suitable for your property. This could be gravel, soil, or something else.

In some cases, we may use concrete as the backfilling material. This provides the highest level of protection and is ideal for sites that need maximum load capacity over their cables.

Other Services

Emergency Utility Repair

Sewer and Water Line Installation

Storm System

Septic System

Catch Basin

Grade Ring Adjustments

Leave Your Duct Bank Utility Work To Us!

From septic systems to duct bank installation and beyond, the team behind Rueben Group are construction experts. We offer free consultations to every prospective client to ensure they get the best information and transparent rates. No matter what you’re building or need help with, our team is here to answer any and all questions.

Rueben Group FAQ

How do you prepare the ground for a concrete slab?

Generally speaking, in order to prepare the ground for a concrete slab the first step is to remove all the organic material such as sod and topsoil, it is preferable to excavate down to clay. In order to create a proper base a minimum of 6 inches of compacted Flex Base should be installed under the slab so you must take into account the thickness of the slab plus the 6 inches of flex base and excavate to the desired depth. If you have not removed all the organic material at this point it is best to continue excavation and then build up with select fill or flex base to the desired elevation. The flex base must be installed in layers and properly compacted with a plate tamper or roller.

What are different types of septic systems?

Historically, there was only one type of septic system, and it consisted of a septic tank and a leechfield. This type of system is now called a ‘standard’ or ‘conventional system.’ As information has improved about how soil structure reacts to wastewater, the septic system industry has improved too, and the technology has evolved to treat wastewater more effectively. This is great news, not only for the sake of improved technology and reliability for consumers (you!), but because our groundwater resources are now much better protected from contamination. There are many types of septic systems, with a conventional or standard septic system being the least complicated kind. The other most common types of OSSFs are: -Aerobic Systems with Spray irrigation -Aerobic system with drip irrigation -low pressure dosing (LPD system) These models are more complex than the standard system and need more maintenance, but they may be necessary to treat wastewater properly. The type of system you need for your own property depends on the properties of the soil and the regulations set by the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality (TCEQ).

What is an On-Site Sewage Facility?

An on-site sewage facility or septic system, disposes of wastewater on-site. All of the wastewater must seep into the soil on the property and not rise to the surface of the ground or discharge into a roadside ditch or stream or gully. Since all systems do not use septic tanks to treat wastewater, these systems are called on-site sewage facilities (OSSF).

Do I need an On-Site Sewage Facility (septic system)?

If your property is not within reach of a public sewer line and if your project will generate wastewater, then the answer is yes. A building equipped with bathrooms, sinks, kitchens, washing machines, etc., will generate wastewater. Older properties with inadequate or malfunctioning facilities are required to have a new facility installed or the existing facility upgraded.

How often should I inspect my sewer line

If you live in an older home it is a good idea to have have a camera inspection done on your line at least once every year in order to detect any issues prior to them becoming major problems. Before you purchase a new home, you should have a camera inspection on the sewer line.

How do you know if your sewer line needs to be replaced?

Typical signs a line needs to be replaced are sewage backups, slow draining of your sinks and other fixtures. Sometimes there are no signs at all. It is always recommended to have an inspection done prior to a problem arising to determine the condition of your line. This is a quick and inexpensive thing to do and will give you peace of mind or at the very least warn you of any potential issues.

I had a sewage backup in my house what should I do?

First thing you would want to do is solve the current problem. You should start with a drain cleaning company or plumber, if you are having a problem contact us and we can arrange this. Next you will want to contact your home insurance to arrange cleanup. And then you will want to find out what the problem is and correct it, the drain cleaning or plumbing company will be able to tell you what the problem is.

What is pipe bursting?

Pipe bursting is a method that can be used to replace a sewer line. The process is simple in theory, an access pit is dug either in your basement or outside your home to reach the sewage line. Another pit is excavated at the city connection point for your home. The existing pipe is then cut and removed at each end. A steel cable is then fed into the pipe from one end and a coned cutting head is then pulled through the old line with a hydraulic puller. The steel cable is then re-fed through the old pipe where a larger head is then attached. On the other side of this head the new seamless plastic pipe is attached and then it is all pulled into place at once. Once pulled though the old line the new pipe is connected on both ends, the holes are backfilled, and you are now up and running with a new sewer line.

Is pipe bursting better then Excavating to replace my sewer line?

There is no one answer fits all, it is always dependent on the condition of your existing line and the number of obstacles present on your property. If your existing line runs under a structure such as a deck or garage of expensive landscaping then pipe bursting will generally be the best option. If your line does not run under any structures then it depends on the condition of your existing line. If you have any long sags in the line or if it is already collapsed then pipe bursting may not be the best option, even though it is less invasive it is not always the best method to replace your sewer line.

How long does it take to replace a sewer line?

Generally, for most residential lines it is a 2-day process from start to finish. You can expect to be without water and sewer services for 4-5 hours total from start to finish.

What kind of pipe is used for a sewer line?

There are different grades and types of pipe used to replace a sewer line, polyethylene pipe is generally what is used. When pipe bursting, we use HDPE (high density polyethylene pipe) this is preferred because it can be fused together to make a seamless pipe as long as is required. When doing open excavation, we recommend SDR-35 poly pipe it is typically green, PVC schedule 40 pipe can also be used. SDR-35 is more flexible and the joints have rubber seals to avoid leaks during movement. Schedule 40 pvc is glued together however if the ground shifts the connections can crack and leak, we prefer these products over HDPE when doing open excavation as it is more rigid and much easier to ensure a constant 1 percent slope when installing the line. There are many different products available for use however we choose to only use the best quality and highest grade available to us as this should be a repair that lasts the lifetime of your home.

Do I need a permit to replace a sewer line in Texas?

Yes, you need a permit in order to replace a sewer line in the state of Texas, In some cases small repairs may be completed without one however most work will require a permit in order to be properly completed.

Who can install underground utility’s in Dallas?

In Dallas underground utilities need to be installed by a bonded utility contractor, or in some cases a master plumber is able to pull a permit in order to install them. If you need more information, we would be happy to answer any questions you may have.