An Overview of the Underground Utility Locating Methods

An Overview of the Underground Utility Locating Methods

When you’re ready to do a construction project and dig up the ground, the last thing you want to happen is to hit buried gas lines or other underground structures.  This will not only cost you to repair but will put you in danger and delay your project altogether.

It is absolutely essential to always locate underground utilities to determine areas that are safe for digging. This prevents accidents that may not only cause interruptions in utilities like water, electricity, or sewage but also ensures your safety during your project.

Though utility locating used to rely on maps back in the day, technology today is more sophisticated. With various utility locating equipment available in the market, utility locators can now detect utility lines and buried pipes more accurately and efficiently through different methods.

Check out the most common methods used to locate underground utilities so that excavators can have the safety and security they need to dig with confidence.

Electromagnetic Locator

When locating underground utilities today, one of the most favorable methods is the use of an electromagnetic locator. An electromagnetic locator is a pipe or cable locator that uses an electromagnetic radio frequency transmitter and receiver to trace underground utility lines and metallic pipes.

The utility locator uses the transmitter to emit a certain frequency which induces onto a nearby metal pipe or electric line either directly or passively. The receiver detects the radio frequency emitted, allowing the locator to trace the pipes and cables.

Utility Locating Methods for Underground Utilities

When it comes to electromagnetic utility locating, one may locate underground utilities directly or passively, depending on the situation.

Direct Connection (Conduction)

Direct connection is when a locator connects the transmitter directly to the utility line that he or she wants to trace via a connection lead. The transmitter is placed right next to an access point of a target utility line; this can be a valve, a utility vault, or a water hydrant which comes with a tracer wire installed by companies to make utility locating easier.

After the transmitter is connected to the utility line, a second lead is connected to the ground. Then, the transmitter is set to adjust its frequency and power output to match the unique frequency of the utility line being traced.

The receiver is then programmed to match that frequency to accurately trace only the target line so as not to be confused with other nearby utilities or buried objects.

Because direct connection uses the unique frequency of a utility line to trace its path, it is very good at identifying the accurate location of electric cables, metal pipes, and other utilities. Hence it is the most preferred method of most utility locators when mapping buried utilities.

Ring Clamp (Induction)

Although a direct connection is always preferred, there are situations wherein a utility line has no access point on the surface for locators to connect to. In such cases, induction using a ring clamp is the next best choice.

Ring clamp induction connects an inductive clamp to the transmitter as an alternative to using connection leads. It is designed to place a signal on a cable without disconnecting it.

By securing an inductive clamp around a metallic pipe or cable, the signal from the transmitter is sent to a coil within the clamp; then, the coil sends that onto the target line.

Then, the locator sets the receiver to the same frequency as the transmitter, and this allows them to trace and map the buried utilities.

The ring clamp induction method is usually used when tracking utility lines at midpoints. It’s also a method preferred by CATV and phone companies because it allows you to trace utility lines without disrupting the service.

Induction

When there is no access to the utility at all, locators rely on the induction method. Induction allows transmission of frequency without metal-to-metal contact.

When doing induction locating, utility locators place the transmitter on the surface, over where they think the target utility line is. They try to locate the utility line this way, and when they find the line they want to trace, they follow the frequency using the receiver.

Because induction does not require metal-to-metal contact, it may not function properly if there are other utilities or conductive materials around the area. Having other conductors makes induction prone to electromagnetic coupling and bleed-off.

Electromagnetic coupling occurs when other utilities or objects with conductive material have the same frequency and are interfering with the signal.

Meanwhile, bleed-off happens when the distance between the transmitter and the utility line weakens the signal so much that it becomes of equal strength to other conductors in the area, making it difficult to isolate the target line.

On the other hand, because induction locating does not require direct metal-to-metal contact, it’s the best method to use when detecting unknown lines or objects underground.

Sonde & Duct Rod

Electromagnetic locating is the preferred method of locating when pipes are metal and conduct electromagnetic frequency. But when locating non-ductile pipes such as sewer lines, water pipes, or concrete pipes, locators will use a sonde and duct rod.

A locating sonde is a battery-operated self-contained electromagnetic frequency transmitter. It is able to emit various frequencies and comes in many sizes and thread attachments. The sonde is then fitted to a flexible duct rod which is inserted into pipes through accessible access points.

The flexible duct rod allows the radio frequency emitting sonde to trace pipes. As the sonde emits a certain frequency, the locator programs the receiver to match its frequency to trace its movement. This makes it possible for utility locators to pinpoint the exact location of a utility line.

Work with a Reliable Service for Locating Underground Utilities

Whether you are doing soft digging in your private property or you’re gearing up for a massive excavation project, safety must always come first.

Don’t neglect to locate underground utilities prior to excavating, and rather than wasting your time or risking an injury doing things yourself, don’t hesitate to enlist utility locating services.

We are the #1 Utility locating service and underground utility locator of choice for commercial and private utility locating services in Los Angeles, San Diego, Imperial, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara, Kern, Riverside, Orange, Ventura County, and all major Southern California cities.

For more information about our underground utility locating methods, contact us at Util-Locate today.

4 Signs You Need to Contact a Drain Pipe Jetting Service

4 Signs You Need to Contact a Drain Pipe Jetting Service

Having a clogged pipe can really take a toll on your home experience; not to mention, it can be disastrous in a business or in a public utility. If you’re experiencing pipe clogs or slow drainage, contact a Southern California Hydro Jetting service to make sure your plumbing needs are addressed!

It’s good practice to regularly get your pipes cleaned and checked to make sure they are unlikely to clog up and cause inconveniences. Depending on your situation, you may need hydro jetting services more often. If your pipes are regularly exposed to possible blockages, then yearly maintenance might be needed. Otherwise, once every two to three years should suffice.

How Does Hydro Jetting Work?

Hydro jetting is a type of cleaning service which uses highly pressurized water to clear tough or stubborn clogs lining the insides of a plumbing system. The hydro jetting process involves the use of a large water tank, a high-pressure hose, and a pressurizer.

The plumber then delivers the pressurized water into the clogged pipes after ensuring via video inspection that it can sustain the onslaught of high water pressure. The pressure from the water dislodges tough clogs and build-up, then the sludge and water flow through the pipes, leaving them clear and cleaner than any other manual drain cleaning method.

When Should You Consider Hydro Jetting?

Though hydro jetting has many benefits, it is pricier than other drain clearing methods and is not always required if you have a clogged drain or pipe. Whether you should consider hydro jetting depends on why you have a clog, where the blockage is located, and what your situation is.

Clogging Occurs Due to Build-Up

Sometimes, clogs happen because there’s an object that got lodged in the drain or in the pipe. If this is the case, using a snake or a rod can dislodge the object obstructing the pipe, clearing a path for water and sludge to flow through.

But sometimes, clogs happen because grime, debris, and grease build up and line the pipe walls. In such cases, simply piercing through the build-up to let water flow through is not going to solve the problem. In fact, another obstruction is likely to happen not long after unless the pipe walls are scoured and cleaned. In such situations, hydrojetting will come in handy.

Drainage is Slow or Overflowing

It’s not easy to tell what is causing your pipes to clog up. A good way to tell that you have a blockage issue is when your drainage is slow or overflowing. When there’s build-up lining your pipe walls, there’s a smaller area for water to pass through. This causes drainage to slow and often overflow.

In such situations, hydrojetting is a great solution to clear the pipes of build-up and create a wider path for smoother drainage.

Clogging and Blockages Are Hard to Reach

One of the perks of hydro jetting is its ability to reach farther than manual unclogging methods. If the blockage is underground or too far to reach, you can consider hydro jetting instead of digging up and disassembling the pipes to manually unclog it.

Pipes Are Prone To Clogging

Depending on how pipes are used, they can be exposed to simple soap and water or they can regularly come in contact with emulsified grease, tree roots, debris from soil, sand, or paper, and other foreign objects.

If it is the latter, your pipes are prone to developing build-up and are likely to get clogged. Therefore, it’s good to consider a regular hydro jetting service for upkeep to make sure your pipes are clean and unlikely to get clogged and cause work interruptions.

Your Pipes Are Not Damaged

Last but not least, you should only consider hydro jetting if your pipes are in good shape. Because of the high water pressure, hydro jetting can potentially destroy already damaged, old, or leaky pipes. This is why plumbers always inspect the pipes thoroughly with a CCTV camera before performing hydro jetting services.

The Benefits of Hydro Jetting

Hydro jetting service is a highly demanded plumbing service for a reason. Check out its many benefits to see how it can elevate your plumbing system.

Thorough Cleaning

Compared to other manual drain cleaning methods, hydro jetting is the most powerful one. Not only does it unclog a drain, it actually scours the interior of a pipe, removing every gunk and debris that cling onto the walls.

Other drain cleaning methods only address the clogging, whereas hydro jetting actually cleans the pipes. This is a great preventive strategy to avoid clogs in the first place.

Non-Invasive

With hydro jetting, there is no more need to dig up your yard or disassemble your pipes just to get to the clog. Hydro jetting uses high-pressure water that is so powerful, it can target far-reaching clogs that manual drain clearing methods cannot. This includes underground pipes or complicated plumbing systems which plumbers will need to take apart to reach the clog.

Aside from being non-invasive, hydro jetting is also an environmentally friendly drain cleaning service because it only requires water and no harsh chemicals to clean pipes.

Cost-Effective

Even if hydro jetting costs a bit more than manual drain clearing methods, this method prevents clogs by providing a thorough cleanse. Not only will this guarantee an efficiently running plumbing system, but it also keeps your pipes cleaner for longer.

This lengthens the time between your pipe maintenance and also slows down the breakdown of your pipes, allowing you to get more use out of your pipes before they need to be replaced.

A Versatile Solution For Different Types of Blockages

Unlike snaking, hydro jetting can work for numerous plumbing issues, regardless of what plumbing system you have. Whether you experience slow drainage or have a blockage, hydro jetting can solve the problem. From problems with sewer lines or main drain lines due to tree roots, soil, or other debris, a professional hydro jetting service can restore your plumbing system to optimum efficiency.

Are you in need of draining and cleaning services? At Util-Locate, our expert team boasts years of experience using hydro jetting to provide sewer services and drain cleaning services all over Southern California.

Whether you need a quote or emergency services, we are ready to help. Give us a call at Util-Locate today!

4 Reasons to Get a CCTV Drain Inspection

4 Reasons to Get a CCTV Drain Inspection

Why guess what is happening in your drains when you can actually verify it? Technology has equipped us with tools that make any investigative procedure easier. One such tech is Closed Circuit Television Video, otherwise known as CCTV.

CCTV has made 24/7 surveillance possible without needing to station a person to watch.

Over time, CCTV has become more accessible to public use; it’s also been assimilated into many other functions, one of which is drain inspection. Keep reading below to find out why drain inspection professionals rely on CCTV to get the job done. 

What is a CCTV Sewer Inspection?

Simply put, CCTV cameras are used to inspect sewer pipes and drainage systems. This inspection method allows professionals to view the insides of a pipe without having to dig it up and pulling it apart to see what is causing a clog.

As a result, CCTV cameras have made the previously tedious task of figuring out why pipes are clogged or damaged much easier, less invasive, and way more accurate.

How Does a CCTV Pipe Inspection Work?

Similar to a sewer inspection, this type of pipe inspection works by using a CCTV camera to project a real time image of what is happening inside a pipe. 

The camera is attached to a reel which is inserted into the opening of a pipe; from there, it then captures what is happening inside the pipe and allows sewage inspectors to take the appropriate action to solve the problem.

Why Should You Get a CCTV Sewer Inspection? 

CCTV Video technology has forever changed sewage inspection. It has sped up the time needed for renovations while still keeping costs low.

As the technology becomes more refined, CCTV inspections are likely to become more accessible and popular for day-to-day use.

Affordable 

Unlike other types of sewage or pipe inspections where sewage inspectors have to dig up pipes and drains and take them apart to identify a problem, CCTV inspections take a lot less time.

And because CCTV cameras have become more abundant in the market, sewage inspectors don’t need to charge a lot of money just to use such technology. This makes CCTV inspections affordable to anyone who needs to avail of sewage or drainage inspection services. 

Environmentally Friendly

CCTV inspection is non-invasive. The method of inserting a reel with a CCTV camera does not require any excavation procedure, which can cause harm to the environment.

Moreover, CCTV sewage inspections only use minimal energy. These inspections use electricity for a short time to fuel the camera. In turn, having the necessary footage allows plumbing and repair companies to power drills and other equipment as needed, therefore conserving energy on their end.

Quick and Accurate 

Having a clogged pipe or drain is already inconvenient. But having to plan your schedule around calling repair services, addressing the problem, and the like creates a process that is even more time-consuming.

CCTV Technology reduces investigation time significantly. Once the Utility Mapping process is completed, inspectors can easily identify what the problem is so that a solution can be provided and you can go back to your life as soon as possible.

When Should I Get a CCTV Inspection?

As blocked drains can easily disrupt our lives, CCTV inspection provides an affordable and quick solution to an everyday problem.

CCTV technology is not only useful for identifying clogs and leaks in pipes and drains. This technology also helps you map a drainage system, especially if it is underground or hidden within walls.

By working with a registered utility location provider, one can learn the layout of a piping or drainage system. This involves identifying a start and an end, as well as finding where nozzles are, what structures look like, and what instruments the pipes support. Once a layout is built, only then can new drainage or pipes be installed.

To that end, below are some instances of when such drain inspections are useful: 

Maintaining Commercial Properties

Inspecting pipes and drains is not only needed when there’s a clog or a leak. Routine checks in properties, especially in larger facilities like factories and public utilities, is incredibly important to ensure that they are working efficiently and will not cause any inconvenience.

CCTV inspection of property pipes makes routine inspections much easier to conduct. This encourages more frequent inspection, which can significantly decrease occurrence of leaks and clogs. For property owners, being able to see what’s inside your drain can help you assess any issues and contact the relevant repair services as needed. 

Renovating Buildings

One of the reasons people hire pipe and drain inspectors is due to renovations. One of the most important elements of a property is a functional drainage system. As people renovate their homes, inspecting how efficiently their drainage systems function is a priority that cannot be overlooked.

Repairing Storm Drains

Rains are a common part of the California climate, but sometimes storm drains get clogged up. Because the run-off from these sewers go into bodies of water such as lakes or streams, it is imperative that the water remain as unpolluted as possible.

Routine checks of storm drains are necessary in order to keep them in top shape. A property with a fully functioning drainage system is worth more than one with broken pipes.

Of course, plumbing repair services need to ensure that they’re not causing even more damage to storm drains when they go into repair them—and this is where CCTV utility location comes in.

Call Util-Locate For Your CCTV Inspection Needs

Util-Locate is the number one utility locating services provider in California. We only use state-of-the-art technology that is the best in the industry to ensure that we offer safety and quality service every time.

In need of CCTV inspection or sewer line repair? Our team will be more than happy to assist you, so give us a call at Util-Locate today!