Knowing What’s Buried Underneath Before Excavation

Excavation Site

Before beginning an excavation project, it is essential to know the underground utilities found within that region. This will help you avoid circumstances that will slow or stall your projects such as court orders due to interference with underground utilities. This is why you need to hire qualified private locator services to help you identify locations underground infrastructure.

We have compiled this article, to help you understand what underground utilities locating services entail, its benefits and the best company to hire for this service. Let us get started.

Services offered by private locators

If you are beginning an excavation project in an area, here are some services you will get when you hire our private utility locating services:

  • Detection of water pipes and sewer channels in the region. Util-Locate Company will guide you on the specific locations of water lines and sewer channels to avoid bursting these important underground utilities which can add on to your operational costs.
  • Location of underground telecommunication gadgets. Using our cable locating services, we will identify telecommunication cables, and other lines found underground in the area you want to develop.
  • Identification of underground tanks, gas, and electric lines, Util-Locate Company will mark all the electric lines in the region. It will also detect the gas supply channels to prevent gas leaks which can cause disasters such as fires and blasts.

Along with these services, Util-Locate also applies the latest technology such as the high-resolution GPR in finding untraceable storm lines, sewers, and conduits.

Benefits of hiring a private locator

  • Public locators will locate only public utilities.

Simply said, if you privately own a utility, then State Locators are not viable to help you with locating services. This is why you need to hire a private locator company which will respond to your needs as quickly as possible.

  • Utility locating helps save lives and avoid damage to property. 

The cost of repairing damages is always high, and you know how painful it is to pay for something you never budgeted for because of a mistake. Damages can occur when you temper with infrastructures such as water and sewer lines.

Electrocution and possibly death can occur when you hit underground power lines. Gas explosions can occur when gas pipes are accidentally hit. All these can result in injuries and destruction of property which would cost a lot of money.

Save yourself these unnecessary troubles by hiring underground utilities locating services.

  • Utility Locating services helps save on operational costs

When handling a big project, chances are that saving money is one of your top priorities. Operational costs will surge if you end up damaging underground utilities such as sewer lines and water pipes. These unnecessary costs can be avoided by hiring a private locator to check the specific locations of these underground utilities.

Looking to find a private locator company that will help you identify the underground utilities at your excavation site? Call Util-Locate for the best locating services!

How to Accurately Locate Sewer Lines

How to Accurately Locate Sewer Lines

When homeowners take the initiative of digging into the ground, they might end up damaging the buried sewer lines. This can lead to a costly expedition that can be avoided by contracting a reputable private utility locating company.

Our company has vast experience in this field, and we are currently ranked the best private utility locating firm in Southern California. We have worked with several clients who have expressed satisfaction in our private locator services.

Why You Need a Private Locator Services

We are a reliable utility locator company that offers a variety of services regardless of the scope of the project.

The most common misconception is that sewer lines appear just a few inches below from the edge of sight. This is however not true and can lead to permanent damage on other public utility lines that lie below the line of sight. That is why you need a reputable company to help in accurately locating sewer lines.

At Util-Locate, we offer a 97% accuracy level that allows us to identify the exact location of the sewer lines.

How We Locate the Sewer Lines

Our technicians are highly skilled and have worked in the utility locating industry for quite a while. They know the basics surrounding sewer lines prospectus. Their vast knowledge is essential in helping them to accurately identify the sewer lines and fix them if they are damaged.

The technicians use electromagnetic sensors and GPR technology to send a signal that penetrates to the exact location of the buried sewer lines. The signals bounce back to the electronic devices that calculate the depth and the position of the sewer lines automatically. The technicians then interpret the signals accurately and start the process of digging down to the exact location of the sewer lines.

When to contact us

Most people make the mistake of contacting utility companies when they have already started digging or doing an excavation. This is not advisable as it might be too late and expensive because damage may have been already done onto the sewer lines.

Make an effort and call us for the sewer line prospectus job before you start the actual designing or digging process. This will save you the cost that would be incurred after damaging the buried sewer lines.

Our services will prevent your business from such situations and multiple lawsuits that may arise due to the disruption of a community’s sewer line system.

At Util-Locate, we understand the hustle that our clients go through while trying to locate a sewer line before beginning a construction process. We also know the risks that may come along with an inaccurate prospectus. That is why we have we offer the best underground utilities locating services that are beneficial to our clients.

Our team is dedicated to satisfying the needs and will stop at nothing than their approval. We have a track record that speaks for itself because we have been consistent in service delivery and we are not stopping anytime soon.

Kindly contact us at 1 (866) 638-1075 for more information regarding our underground utility locating services.

Safe Digging Practices: How to Determine Buried Utility Assets

Underground Utility Locators

Working on or around underground utilities can be fatal, and even if you take precautions, damages are sometimes inevitable. Understanding and use of safe digging practices are essential to prevent or minimize damaging these underground utilities.

This article emphasizes the precautions and safe digging practices you should employ while determining buried utility assets to avoid damages, ensure the safety of the workers as well as people around the working site.

Use a utility locator

Whether you are dealing big or small projects, it is crucial to use a reliable underground utility locator anytime you are preparing to dig underground assets. Never assume the presence of utility lines or think their depth remains the same. Sometimes the utility lines are not where they seem to be through a range of sight, and their depth can change over time due to factors like erosion, uneven surfaces or previous projects.

The services of professionals in underground utilities help in identifying the utility lines, white line them and determine how deep the utility assets are. The use of professional services ensures the accuracy and gives confidence of excavation with less exposure to dangers. See potholing services near me.

Use caution after the digging sites are flagged

After the identification of the correct location of the utility, taking precautions is necessary to avoid damages of assets. Don’t assume that the marked utility line is the only one there. You need to dig about four feet away from either side of the marked utility lines, and in case you need to dig closer or cross the flags or markings, then you need to use hand tools to expose the buried assets. Use of hand tools determines the exact location, exposes the facilities and it is safer to avoid damaging the underground facility.

Call if your lines become unclear on your digging site

Circumstances like bad weather and work disturbance can cause your markings to become incorrect, obscured, miss or become obliterated. In such cases, don’t go off your memory on where the lines were. Instead, you should contact underground utility locating services which will help in identifying the buried lines and give you the exact location and depth of your utility.

Do not remove paint marks or flags until you complete your work

Presence of paint markings and banners on your site means that the excavation or digging work is still ongoing. Removal of the flags before the work completion can lead to confusion on the different type of utilities which can eventually cause fatal accidents and damages to assets.

Support and protect utility assets when exposed

Once you reach the facility during your digging process, ensure safe backfilling to prevent damages on the facility and maintain their coating. Provision of support beneath further prevents sagging and collapse of the facilities.

The Takeaway

Anytime you plan to dig into the ground, the chances of hitting the utility pipes and wires are high. Cutting or damaging utility wires and pipes is not only costly but also extremely dangerous as they can result in explosions, electrocutions and sometimes fires. To prevent such occurrences, safe digging practices and use of underground utility locator services is very important they will ensure your safety during digging.

For more information about safe digging practices and for utility location, contact Util-Locate. Our company has been in the service of providing underground utility locating since 2001.

Avoid Excavation Hazards and Utility Strikes, Call the Potholing Experts

why utility potholing is essential

It is well known that construction sites are inherently dangerous and there are a lot of risks that go along with excavating earth. Although it is tempting to choose the cheapest or least time-consuming option to get the job done, such choices can lead to expensive disasters down the line. Utility potholing uses vacuum excavation technology in order to carefully and efficiently locate all underground utility lines without damaging them.

Utility potholing is an excellent option for most construction projects and will likely save you and your crew both time and money. Using a professional team will ensure that your construction site is excavated properly and as quickly as possible. While potholing is an investment, it will ensure that you avoid extensive damage and expensive repairs or fines.

Keep reading to learn how vacuum excavation can help your construction project run smoothly without the risk of utility strikes.

Other Tools Don’t Cut It

When you compare potholing to the other tools available, it becomes quickly obvious that professional potholing is the best choice.

Those with smaller construction sites often think that excavating the land by hand is the best option because it is so inexpensive. However, digging with hand tools like shovels and trowels requires grueling physical labor. Depending on the site, it can also take many days to complete. The contractor might want the work completed by a certain deadline and it just isn’t possible to know exactly how long excavating by hand will take.

While hand tools might not cause damage to utility lines, it isn’t recommended that you use this time-intensive and exhausting method.

Read More: What You Need to Know About Potholing for Utilities

Meanwhile, you might also consider renting a backhoe because they are generally considered an affordable and efficient method. However, it is incredibly difficult to use finesse with a backhoe, which means there is a much greater chance of striking a utility line. This is a fine option if you are certain there are no live utility lines under the land but should be avoided otherwise.

If you do opt for a backhoe, remember to employ an experienced spotter who will help guide the equipment and avoid utility lines. Even so, the risk to utility lines is far greater than it would be with vacuum excavation.

How Potholing Works

Potholing works to carefully excavate a construction site through the use of air or water pressure.

Air or water is gently, but firmly, push through the earth so that the locations of utility lines can be discovered without physically touching them. Even better, the use of an air jet allows the earth to be stored and reused at a later time in the construction process. While this cannot be done with a hydro jet, both are great options for keeping your construction site safe.

Potholing is an effective method that involves clearing the earth away from utility lines. It is also time-efficient and cost-effective. When used properly, vacuum excavation is the best method available for any construction project.

Safety Precautions

As with any construction equipment or machinery, safety measures must be taken to ensure the well-being of your crew.

You will still need to plan ahead of time to fully understand how to vacuum excavate the property. For instance, you should call all relevant third parties who have knowledge of the construction site. These third parties may have information concerning utility lines, which will assist you during the excavation.

It is always safer to choose a professional, experienced team. These professionals understand the delicate excavation process and will be much faster and more skilled than an untrained worker.

A professional team will also understand the importance of inspecting the area beforehand. This involves creating a small hole through which the professional can explore the underground area. RADAR or digital technology doesn’t compare to visual verification of what is underground. Damage to underground utilities can result in unexpected expenses from repairs or fines.

Usually, these fines occur if the damage disrupts access to utilities for those living and working in the surrounding area. It is important to respect the local community and do everything possible to ensure the construction is safe and takes necessary precautions.

Read More: Potholing Utilities for A Cost-Efficient and Safer Excavation

When in Doubt, Seek Help

If you are in doubt about how to excavate your construction site, it is advised that you choose potholing. Vacuum excavation is an advanced technique that, when carried out by an expert, is both safe and efficient.

By opting for potholing, you avoid the risk of striking a utility line, which could severely impact the overall success of the construction project.

Not only will a professional team be able to understand the needs of your project, but they will carry out the work without putting workers’ health and well-being at risk, as well as protecting the land itself. See private utility locating companies near me.

3 Important Tips in Choosing The Best Utility Locator

Excavation Location

Before beginning any project – construction, excavation or demolition –  it is recommended to perform utility locating on the site. This is the initial step that has to be executed if you are planning a project that requires excavating.

Hiring professionals to map water pipes, sewer lines, drainage pipes, electrical lines, and internet cables will lead to speeding up the project. You no longer have to dig carefully, slowly or get interrupted. Utility locating ensures safety and will eliminate repair costs hence saving on time and money. These are some of the reasons why utility locating services are required before any project.

Here are some important factors to consider prior to choosing a Utility Locator.

Go for an experienced, licensed professional

When contracting a utility locator, make sure you choose a company that has been in the industry for many years and has the relevant experience and knowledge. An experienced utility locator will provide a comprehensive view of the project’s site by locating, identifying and marking all underground utilities and structures. Also, consider a utility locating company that has handled many different types of projects both large and small.

Working with such a utility locator implies he has a good reputation and can provide references especially on high profile jobs. Do a background check to learn more about the company you are considering to hire. Furthermore, the customer reviews will reveal the experience of real customers in the hands of the utility contractor. Moreover, you will discover any complaints leveled against him and the status of his license, i.e. valid, expired or revoked.

Choose Util-Locate for your utility locating requirements. We are in business for almost 20 years. Our team of professionals are skilled and proficient in finding power lines to garages and exterior structures, electrical cable for lighting, drainage pipes for gardens and gutters, sprinkler lines and invisible fencing, gas lines for grills and fire pits.

Equipment and Technology

Choose a company that uses the most advanced technology and locating techniques to ensure superior quality, accuracy and reliability. As technology is advancing day by day, each utility company is endeavoring to acquire sophisticated electronic equipment and adopting technology-aided utility locating techniques. This equipment helps to interpret the signals easily and offer the most detailed underground mapping solutions, helping you locate the utility lines as they are. The scope of such underground mapping can range from a building construction site to the whole city and even identify utility lines running under highways and buildings.

Thus, make sure that you select a utility location company with advanced tools and methodologies to help you in your development projects. Read more about pipe locator service.

Reliability

The third factor to be taken into consideration is the reliability of the utility locating company. Look for a company that has a broad reach and are capable of delivering services to nearly any location. Such  company is better positioned to tackle any of your project’s site because they are located locally.

If you’re looking for professional utility locating services, go for Util Locate, where you are guaranteed of the most accurate information without having to disturb existing landscaping.

Comprehensive Southern California Utility Marking Surveys

Utility Making Surveys

Util-Locate provides Subsurface Utility-line Mapping services to our clients including field-mapping and providing Computer Aided Drawing in PDF format for future use.

After we field-locate and identify the utility lines, we then field-map the locations by physically measuring off-sets from buildings and or landmarks and noting the utilities by drawing-in the locations on a site-plan.

We can take it one-step further by providing you with a Computer Aided Drawing or AutoCAD to be implemented on an existing site-drawing for record or future use. We will also save the drawing in PDF format for easier viewing which will give you the liberty in transferring the e-file drawing via e-mail to whomever and whenever you would like. In order to provide you with a finished product, we would need from you a CAD file of the project site for this work to be done. See more underground utility locator.

Further Information:

Util-Locate is not a licensed Civil Engineer or Surveyor in-order for our mapping-work to be certified. We map the utility-locations as accurately as possible by using measuring & mapping tools. Our mapping work is to show all surveyed utilitities & give our client a basic overview of the project they are engaging in and to help assess what to expect when designing or performing the preliminary site-work.

If you would like more information about our services and pricing in Southern California, call us Toll Free at 1-866-421-5325 and we will be glad to answer any questions you may have.