According
to a recent study, there are about 20 million miles of underground
utilities in the United States. Even after implementing laws that do
not allow excavation before taking any permission, millions of
Americans are still doing that. That being said, digging the ground
is not an ordinary task. It requires proper planning and care.
Chances of hitting underground utility underground pipes are quite
high. If something like this happens, it can lead to obstruction of
basic services and amenities. To avoid any such an incident, it is
best to use underground utility locator services.
What is utility locating?
Utility locating services
helps
locate underground utilities before starting the initial digging
process. They possess the ability to detect and identify buried
utilities preventing possible digging accidents, thus promoting safer
excavation. They provide the best information you can get before
digging.
The
different methods of locating utilities before digging:
1. Electromagnetic Utility
Locator
This
is the most common method of locating utilities that generate
electromagnetic radio frequency to detect conductive elements under
the ground. It is a reliable method for locating cable, telephone,
sewer, and propane lines.
EM
utility locator is not an all-rounder performer. It cannot detect
plastic pipes, concrete, and non-ductile pipes. It also cannot detect
utilities beyond 15 feet from the ground.
2. Ground Penetrating Radar
This
technology uses high-frequency pulses and can locate subsurface
utilities. The GPR can locate buried pipes, manholes, tanks, cables,
and other objects that are difficult to locate using EM utility
locators. It is intended for utility locating experts as it requires
extensive training and experience.
GPR
cannot detect material buried in the soil, which is highly conductive
(Clay and saline, etc.). It has limitations on its penetration
ability.
3. Hydro Vacuum Excavation
Hydro
vacuum excavation or potholing is a non-destructive method to locate,
identify, and tag underground utilities safely. It uses high-pressure
water to break up the soil which is then vacuum-sucked into a tank.
This method is generally applied on difficult soil conditions where
conventional digging methods are too risky.
So,
before digging a hole outside your house, remember to hire one of the
best utility
locating companies
near you.
