Back in ‘06 I got a mean-on and hand-dug the trench for my replacement copper waterline at one of my properties down in the city in the evenings after work. I eventually dug 18” for about 18 feet, up a hill, and behind a stone retaining wall.
Just get the right stinger shovel and a good Maddock and take your time over a few weeks and and work in 1” increments along the trench and flood the trench to keep it moist as you gradually increase the depth and you’ll be fine. Red georgia clay loosens up and digs easy at the top inch or two if you flood the trench overnight.
Before I did anything else I would close all the toilet valves for a period of time and see if that reduces the flow rate. It’s prolly the just toilet(s) leaking if you don’t have a soft spot out in your yard. The internal toilet hardware can start leaking after only a few years, which keeps the water running through the toilets 24/7.
I keep my 2 unused toilet valves closed off all the time so I don’t have to worry about leaks or failures there.
Just get the right stinger shovel and a good Maddock and take your time over a few weeks and and work in 1” increments along the trench and flood the trench to keep it moist as you gradually increase the depth and you’ll be fine. Red georgia clay loosens up and digs easy at the top inch or two if you flood the trench overnight.
Before I did anything else I would close all the toilet valves for a period of time and see if that reduces the flow rate. It’s prolly the just toilet(s) leaking if you don’t have a soft spot out in your yard. The internal toilet hardware can start leaking after only a few years, which keeps the water running through the toilets 24/7.
I keep my 2 unused toilet valves closed off all the time so I don’t have to worry about leaks or failures there.