What to Expect During an Exploratory Dig: Step by Step
If a sweep has flagged a spot in your yard, an exploratory dig is the way to find out what is there. Here is what the visit usually looks like, so nothing about it is a surprise.
Before anyone digs
The location comes from the sweep, which marks the signal on the ground. Before opening any ground it is sensible to know where underground utilities run. In New Jersey, digging generally requires a call to 811 first. Ask the company how it handles this.
Also tell the crew about anything that affects the work: a sprinkler system, an invisible dog fence, a buried oil line you know about, or a spot the neighbors share.
The dig itself
A small hole or trench is opened over the flagged area, by hand or with small equipment depending on the ground. The aim is to uncover enough to identify the object, not to remove it. The crew works down carefully, because the top of an old tank can be closer to the surface than you would think.
Identifying what is there
Once the object is exposed it can usually be identified quickly. It might be a tank, a pipe, a septic part, a concrete piece, or nothing of concern. If it is a tank, the crew can see its size and condition on the outside, take photos, and note the location relative to the house.
If it is not a tank
The hole is filled, the lawn is leveled, and the report says the signal was something else. For a buyer this is the best result: a question answered at a small cost in time.
If it is a tank
You now have a confirmed fact. The important next questions are whether there are any signs of a leak and what you want to do about the tank. Under the NJDEP’s rules, signs of a discharge must be reported to the state’s hotline right away, and removal of an underground tank must be done by a closure-certified firm. We explain the steps in What to Do If You Find a Buried Oil Tank in NJ.
What you receive
A written summary of what was found, with photos and the location noted, so you can share it with your attorney, agent or lender.
What it does to the yard
A small area is disturbed, and it is restored afterward. If the yard matters to you, mention it when you book.
To ask about an exploratory dig, see our exploratory dig page or call 732-673-1584.
