Garage Construction Project

2025-10-25 - Property Aerial with Utility Routing Paths (Annotated)

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Property Aerial with Utility Routing Paths (Annotated)

![Utility Routing Paths](2025-10-25 - DJI - Property Aerial with Utility Routing Paths (Annotated).png)

Photo Details

  • Date: October 25, 2025
  • Weather: Clear morning transitioning to overcast afternoon, 39-53°F. Excellent conditions for aerial photography and documentation.
  • Phase: Planning - Utility routing documentation
  • Location: 309 E. 7th St., Clare, MI
  • View: Cropped aerial view with utility routing annotations
  • Equipment: DJI Phantom 4 Pro
  • Base Image: 2025-10-25 - DJI - Full Property and Neighborhood - Wide Aerial Perspective (cropped and annotated)

Description

This annotated aerial photo shows the planned underground utility routing from the existing house to the new garage foundation. The image is cropped from 2025-10-25 - DJI - Full Property and Neighborhood - Wide Aerial Perspective to focus on the project site and provides better detail for the proposed utility paths.

Utility Routing Annotations

RED Arrow - Electrical Service Path (Trench 1)

  • Route: House SW corner → Garage foundation (separate dedicated trench)
  • Service: 200A wire capacity, 100A initial connection
  • Why Separate: Electricians’ consensus that electrical should run in its own trench
  • Connection Point: House SW corner where power enters basement to 200A main panel
  • Specifications: See Trench 1: Electrical Service (RED arrow path)

BLUE Arrow - All Other Utilities Path (Trench 2)

  • Route: House connection point → Garage foundation (bundled trench)
  • Utilities Included:
    1. Sewer (3” PVC pipe)
    2. Natural Gas (1” PE polyethylene pipe minimum)
    3. Water (3/4” PEX maximum)
    4. Low Voltage (2” PVC conduit for fiber/network/data)
  • Why Bundled: Cost efficiency, single excavation, similar burial depths
  • Specifications: See Trench 2: All Other Utilities (BLUE arrow path)

Visible Elements

  • Garage Foundation (left side):
    • Orange Creatherm insulation visible
    • Through-foundation conduits already installed (as of 2025-10-22)
    • 1x 3” PVC for sewer, 4x 2” PVC for other utilities
    • Both utility paths terminate at this location
  • Main House (right side):
    • Light blue/gray house with dark roof
    • Electrical service entry point at SW corner (RED path)
    • Other utilities connection point TBD (BLUE path)
  • Property Layout:
    • Clear view of yard space between house and garage
    • Both trenches will traverse backyard area
    • Access for excavation equipment visible
  • Site Context:
    • Neighboring properties on both sides
    • Fall foliage throughout
    • Vehicles on property (red car, blue tarp, propane tank)

Two-Trench Strategy

This image illustrates the critical decision to use two separate underground trenches rather than one combined trench:

Trench 1 (RED): Dedicated electrical service

  • Different burial depth requirements (NEC)
  • Separation from gas and water for safety
  • Independent contractor and timeline
  • Easier future maintenance and troubleshooting

Trench 2 (BLUE): Bundled non-electrical utilities

  • Cost efficiency (single excavation)
  • Coordinated plumber/HVAC installation
  • Similar burial depths for all utilities
  • Reduced property disruption

Both trenches converge at the garage foundation where utilities enter through pre-installed conduits into the mechanical room.

Strategic Value

This annotated image provides:

  • Visual documentation of utility routing decisions
  • Clear communication tool for contractors
  • Reference for excavation planning and coordination
  • Record of electricians’ rationale for separate electrical trench
  • Future reference for maintenance and troubleshooting

Graph View

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