Garage Construction Project

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

3 min read

Property Aerial with Utility Routing Paths (Annotated)

Utility Routing Paths

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: DJI_0005 (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 DJI_0005 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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