Potholing Machines for Utilities 101

Potholing Machines for Utilities 101

Digging on the ground without knowing the exact location of underground utility lines is undeniably dangerous for work crews. Sure, there are utility locators such as electromagnetic location and ground-penetrating radar (GPR) that can identify and locate utility infrastructure underground, but there are instances where these are not enough to get the job done and you’ll need the help of private utility locating services.

In these cases, there’s a need to do potholing and excavating, which are the surest ways to know the exact location, size, and depth of some utilities. Utility locating services use several techniques like potholing, hydro excavation, and vacuum excavation—in order to find utilities underground, such as water lines,  and see their features.

Why these Techniques are Needed to Expose Utilities

The first reason is to follow local or state regulations which prohibit mechanical excavating within 18-36 inches of a marked utility line. This is necessary for the safety of the workers and other people on the job sites and the surrounding area.

There’s an incredibly high risk involved with working around utilities even when the excavators themselves have information on the location of the line.

Drawings and maps can become inaccurate, incomplete, or outdated and this is why safety regulations are kept in place. Workers’ safety is compromised when removing dirt and rock debris manually if they are using metal tools. They also have to deal with the possibility of unstable ground material that can collapse overhead.

The increased use of horizontal directional drilling (HDD) is also a factor. HDD reduces the number of road closures for utility installation projects and thus it’s being used increasingly to lay cables and pipes.

This drilling method also has less impact on the environment. But the downside is that HDD makes it harder for the GPR to locate utilities because of the process’s decrease in soil disturbance and the absence of traceable ditch lines, which are two features that GPR depend on.

So for areas where HDD was used, utility locators will have to resort to potholing and daylighting to locate underground lines.

What is Potholing?

Also called daylighting, potholing is the process of digging a test hole in order to locate and expose existing underground utilities while keeping the surrounding soil undisturbed.

This involves the potholing machine making a series of holes through soil, concrete, or asphalt. The workers will then use a vacuum or hydro excavation to remove the soil.

Potholing utilities can expose the positions and orientations—both vertical and horizontal—of the utilities and enable workers to check for damages such as cracks and punctures. Excavation potholing is also effective as a digging method for installing signs, utility poles, fences, and other jobs that would require setting posts in the ground.

Kinds of Excavation Process

As mentioned above, contractors use excavation to remove the dirt between the hole and the utility. Traditionally, workers would use hydraulic excavators on construction sites.

Nowadays, workers prefer daylighting excavation where utility lines are exposed through soft excavation techniques such as vacuum excavation or hydro excavation.

Hydro Excavation

This excavation technique uses pressurized water to move soil debris as well as rock debris out of the way. This entails the use of a long hose for suctioning the displaced dirt, water, and debris to a holding tank attached to a truck.

The workers will then haul the wet spoils away for disposal. This use of hydro excavators adds to the time and expense needed to complete the job.

Vacuum Excavation

This involves the use of pressurized air to break up compressed soil around the utility.  The workers will then vacuum the dry spoils and reused them as backfill. The vacuum mechanism may be able to utilize high-speed suction in light soils to remove the soil straight down until the utility is exposed partially.

Workers usually prefer using vacuum excavators, but they have to use hydro excavation machines in dealing with heavily compacted soils. The suction hose cleaner, with the help of water, can prevent the soil and excavated debris from gathering.

Equipment Used for Hydro and Vacuum Excavation

These two excavation types are usually worked on by a vacuum excavator or hydrovac truck. This one truck has high-pressure water and air excavation system, plus a water supply tank and a large tank that is designated to hold spoils vacuumed up from the site, as well as the drilling fluids. Some of the excavators are mounted on a trailer.

The hydrovac truck or trailer injects water under pressure into the soil using a wand or hose. The water pressure is strong enough to break up the soil but not strong enough to cause damage to the utility lines.

The soil is liquefied by the water and produces slurry. This slurry is carried by the vacuum to a tank attached to the truck. It’s the truck’s job to remove the slurry from the work site in order to keep it clean and orderly.

Benefits of Potholing and Daylighting Using Hydro or Vacuum Extraction

There are multiple benefits involved with using hydro or vacuum extraction for potholing and daylighting utility locations. First, they allow utility locators to ‘daylight’ utilities without the risk of damaging them because compared to mechanical excavating, they are less disruptive, less destructive, and less invasive. Also, these techniques have a less environmental impact and the site is easier to restore or repair after the job.

Since these two leave a smaller footprint compared to mechanical excavating, they reduce the time needed to complete a job. They can also be used in locations that cannot be accessed by traditional excavation machinery, plus the compact truck or trailer can operate easily in urban areas.

Hydro or vacuum extraction also eliminates life-threatening accidents and keeps projects progressing by minimizing delays. And most importantly, these two techniques won’t cut a utility line or other underground feature accidentally.

Choose the Right Utility Locating Services for Your Needs

If you’re looking for the best private utility locating services and mapping services in Southern California, you can’t go wrong with Util-Locate.

We are the No. 1 utility locating service and underground utility locator in Los Angeles, San Diego, Imperial, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara, Kern, Riverside, Orange, Ventura County, and all major Southern California cities.

To schedule a service with us, contact us at Util-Locate at (866)638-1075 today.

What Exactly is GPR and Why Do I Need It?

What Exactly is GPR and Why Do I Need It?

Digging up the ground is so much work and takes so much time. Locating where utilities and structures are underground before digging would make the excavation so much easier.

This is why utility locators, construction companies, and archeologists use Ground Penetrating Radar technology.

Ground penetrating radar technology, commonly known as GPR, is a method of capturing images underneath the ground through the use of electromagnetic energy. As such, GPR technology makes subsurface mapping and locating objects so much easier.

These services have many advantages, from reducing time and effort in locating any object underground to minimizing possible accidents from damaged utility lines.

How Does GPR Work?

A ground penetrating radar uses a transmitter to send signals in the form of radio waves in the 1 to 1000 MHz frequency range into the soil, concrete, or another material.

When these signals hit any object in the soil or concrete, they bounce back, reflecting, refracting, and scattering. It uses an antenna to receive and record these reflected signals, and from there the device calculates the depth and position of an object under the ground.

Aside from measuring depth and location, a ground penetrating radar GPR can also detect material property, size, and shape. This makes generating 2D or even 3D images of objects possible.

Advantages of Ground Penetrating Radar Technologies

As mentioned earlier on in the article, such imaging technologies can detect a wide range of materials buried beneath the surface without damaging the surface.

Compared to calling 811 or using old utility maps, this type of radar can help determine where utility lines are right when you need to know it. It therefore helps eliminate the need for additional allowances in distance due to human error or movement in utility positions due to temperature changes.

Unlike other methods of subsurface mapping, GPR can characterize subsurface properties and identify what kinds of compounds are underground in any given infrastructure. It does so by gathering a wide set of data which makes subsurface geo-referencing possible.

What’s more, GPR’s real-time data features means it’s useful for detecting forgotten or undiscovered items, underground facilities, and other types of surveys.

Utility Mapping Applications

This imaging method can find variances in the return signals caused by different electric charges depending on the substance detected. These services are especially useful for mapping structures since excavators can accurately plan around whatever is underneath the ground.

Such data is then used by excavators to avoid digging accidents, or even by archaeologists to dig up promising artifacts.

GPR, detects metal and nonmetal materials such as plastic, concrete, wood, stone, etc. This makes it useful for detecting electric wires and cables, gas and water pipes, as well as tree roots, stone slabs, and man-made underground fixtures or architecture.

How to Make GPR Data as Accurate as Possible

While there are tons of advantages to using a ground penetrating radar, such services work best under certain environmental factors. To get the most accurate, real-time data from ground penetrating radar services, make sure that these factors are in place.

Soil Properties

One of the conditions needed for GPR to work well is for the surface to be relatively flat; this is necessary to ensure optimum penetration of electromagnetic energy which also results in the most accurate subsurface detection. This means GPR works really well on concrete as opposed to uneven terrain.

Because GPR relies on materials reflecting or refracting signal, anything different from the scanned material can obstruct the reading of the device and limit its extensive scanning capacity.

Depth

Another factor to consider when using GPR is the depth of the object or utility you’re trying to locate. Soil is naturally resistant to electricity; this makes scanning objects more and more difficult the deeper it goes into the ground. Depending on the capacity of the device, one may or may not penetrate as deep as 30 meters or 100 feet deep into the ground.

Water Content

The presence of water in the soil or any material found by GPR will also affect how well electromagnetic energy penetrates it because of dielectric permittivity. Dielectric permittivity refers to how conductive the soil or any surface is, which impacts how a GPR device receives the reflected or refracted signal it sends out.

What Is the Difference Between GPR and Seismic Reflection?

Though GPR and Seismic reflection both try to understand subsurface structures or characteristics, GPR uses electromagnetic energy in the form of radio waves whereas seismic reflection uses acoustic energy in the form of seismic waves.

GPR sends out high-frequency radio waves to detect changes in the electrical properties of a surface. Such changes exist when there’s an object made of a different substance than soil or concrete, as scanning can usually detect the varying electrical properties.

Meanwhile, seismic reflections rely on seismic waves hitting things or surfaces and reflecting back. A seismic device then records the surface’s elastic properties and density, both of which impact the signal reflected back.

Because they scan subsurface characteristics differently, GPR is best used for detecting things like artifacts and utilities whereas seismic reflection is best used to map flat surfaces.

Hiring a Professional Team

Ground penetrating radar equipment can cost anywhere from $15,000 to $50,000. This is a hefty investment for a homeowner in need of some utility mapping for a digging project. While you can rent a device for around $1,000 to $2,000 a day, that’s still impractical especially when you are not used to using it and interpreting the data it gives.

The accuracy of any GPR process relies heavily on who uses it. Using GPR incorrectly can lead to a false interpretation which undermines the purpose of utility mapping to begin with.

If your infrastructure project needs scanning and locating expertise, contact Util-Locate! Our team is made up of trained professionals who use GPR to expose all underground utilities for the most efficient utility locating and mapping services. For any questions about utility surveys or penetration projects, call us today!

12 Best Safety Practices During Utility Location

12 Best Safety Practices During Utility Location

Working outdoors is prone to many safety hazards. This holds especially true for projects like excavation work or utility locating. Digging up the ground where underground lines, cables, and pipes present many dangers, both natural and man-made.

As such, it’s absolutely important to observe the utmost precaution to ensure everyone’s safety and the success of any project. Effective planning involves thorough utility locating, utility infrastructure investigations, damage prevention as well as mitigation measures for issues identified during preliminary surveillance.

Plan Effectively

Every project is unique and will have its own schedule, budget, location, and scope. Depending on these factors, contractors will have to come up with a plan that will please the client while also ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the workers.

But utility locating happens outside where safety hazards abound and circumstances are unpredictable. Therefore, one must prepare contingencies for all possible scenarios that might take place.

Call Before You Dig

An easily avoidable common mistake is accidentally hitting or damaging a utility line. To do so, always call 811 before you dig. This holds true even for utilities projects that may seem simple and straightforward.

811 is the national call number for preventing the unintentional striking of underground utility lines. Pre excavation, call 811 to request help flagging the approximate locations of buried utilities in the area where you plan to excavate.

Create A Utility Map

While you should call 811 before excavation, it’s also good practice to devise a utility map before starting any utility service project. After all, there may be some private utility cables or unknown underground utility lines that 811 is not aware of or their information may be not updated.

To build a utility map, you can use old utility maps as a reference but never use them to guide your excavation. Utility maps need to be updated and creating one right before a new project is the best way to avoid accidents.

Homeowners near your excavation site usually know where their private utility lines are. One can also look for tanks and meters around a property to locate water pipes and electrical or gas lines.

Prevent Cave-Ins

One of the most common accidents experienced by utility locators when doing excavation work or working with underground utilities is collapsed tunnels or cave-ins.

To prevent this, utilities contractors must test the soil composition, as well as design and build structures that will function as support and provide shielding. Testing the soil ahead of time allows them to assess the likelihood of a cave-in whereas support beams can prevent tunnel collapse and shields can protect workers in the event of a cave-in.

Design Walkways and Barriers

No matter how careful excavators are, human error is still a huge risk. Though dropping an object or slipping and falling at home may not result in life-threatening consequences, doing so in a dig site can.

As such, any utility locator or excavator should first set up smooth and non-slippery walkways for workers to securely move about. They must also erect sturdy barriers around the area to prevent people from falling into pits.

Use the Proper Equipment

Excavation projects are no joke. Even with the most experienced utilities workers, most projects can’t be accomplished without the necessary tools.

If you’re a homeowner digging for a one-time project, investing in expensive equipment can be wasteful. Instead, hiring an experienced utility locator who already has such equipment and is experienced in using them to render services is going to be safer and more cost-effective.

These excavators are trained to use equipment such as a ground penetrating radar to ensure survey markings are all recorded accurately.

Prepare Respirators

Dust and dirt are constantly in the air during excavations, which can in turn be hazardous to people’s health. Depending on the utility request, some teams even dig deep enough into the ground that oxygen levels begin to drop. Such lack of oxygen can cause lightheadedness, fatigue, and even fainting.

Before any light digging, workers must wear proper masks. If the project requires excavators to dig deep, workers need respirators or similar devices to help them breathe properly while working. This prevents them from collapsing or feeling sick; it will also help them avoid developing respiratory diseases due to work.

Bring Ear Plugs or Ear Muffs

During excavations, workers are surrounded by noisy equipment. Though this is part of the job, anyone exposed to high levels of noise for prolonged periods can risk ear damage and hearing loss.

Before starting any project, always conduct a noise assessment. If noise levels reach 85 dBA as an 8-hour TWA or more, workers must wear protective PPE like ear plugs or ear muffs.

Educate Workers

When digging, workers use heavy-duty dangerous equipment. Such devices need proper handling; otherwise, they can cause severe injuries while on the job. This is why educating workers is incredibly important. Moreover, workers must also be educated on how to properly use protective gear to ensure their safeties.

As a homeowner or excavation or construction company, it pays to train workers or work with contractors with proper training.

Supervise At All Times

An excavation project can’t just be done willy-nilly. There must be an experienced worksite supervisor who can govern the workers and make sure they all abide by safety protocols and follow the proper operational procedures.

Any compromises in this regard can easily lead to accidents and disaster so insisting on having someone capable at the helm of a project is a non-negotiable.

Put Signs, Reminders, and Warnings

Anyone is bound to forget a thing or two after they’ve been working for hours and days. This is why putting up a sufficient number of signs around the digging area can make a huge difference in disaster prevention.

Though it’s advised to stay at least 18 inches away from a marked underground utility, it’s highly encouraged to dig as far as you can because the mapping is not always accurate. For example, pipes can move due to changes in ground temperature over time.

To account for this reach, make sure to set up the appropriate reminders or warnings before you dig. Doing so in danger zones can boost alertness and vigilance minimizing the chances of accidents. This is also helpful for bystanders and utility owners who may want to help direct the flow of traffic around the utilities site.

Hire Professional Utility Locators

Whether you’re digging to install new underground utilities or doing some landscaping, you always want to observe the safety measures listed above to help protect yourself and everyone else around your worksite.

Accidentally hitting underground utilities can not only cause inconveniences such as water shortage or power interruption, it can also cause fire, serious injury, and possibly even death to the workers involved.

If you’re a property owner and have no experience with utility locating or digging in a utility site, you may not know what to do if you accidentally hit a gas line or a water pipe. Therefore, it’s highly advisable that you leave the job to utility companies or hire professionals who render utility locating services.

Our team is made up of professionals who have been in the utilities industry for years, and we meet all our requests with the utmost care. You can leave your private utility locating and mapping needs to us, so call Util-Locate, your trusted utility locator partner!

5 Reasons to Use a Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) for Construction Projects

Utility locating services are a necessary step when preparing for any construction project, because they make construction safer and more efficient. Ground penetrating radar is a highly effective method that lets you know about any features below ground, from utility lines to septic tanks. It's always better to learn about your building site before getting a project started, to prevent any potential issues. With the help of ground penetrating radar, construction teams can prepare for underground obstacles and avoid costly mistakes. What Is GPR? Ground penetrating radar is a non-destructive method for getting images of anything beneath the ground, including voids. It uses radio waves to indicate the locations of objects below the surface. It has a wide variety of applications, including scientific studies, archaeology, and of course, construction. GPR technology functions by sending radar signals in the direction of a target area, which tells you if there's anything present there. A GRP system will interpret the reflected signals and assemble the data into an image of the object. When a survey is complete, you'll learn the exact locations of the utility lines and be made aware of any other subsurface features. How Does GPR Work? GPR works by using radio waves to locate objects underground. It transmits pulses of energy with a frequency range up to 1000 MHz. When those energy pulses are directed into the ground, objects below the surface reflect that energy and show up on the radar. All GPR systems are equipped with a receiver antenna, to record the reflected waves. Software assembles those reflected GPR signals into a visual, and the results show the size and shape of any object below ground. Each energy pulse returns more data to the receiver about the location and material properties of any items below. GPR equipment uses different frequencies to collect information about various depths and provide different resolution levels. With the help of GPR data, you can learn which areas contain utility lines or other potential obstacles. This method of data collection can detect all kinds of materials, including metal, rock, and PVC. Utility locating experts often start in areas marked for utility lines, but sometimes utility lines aren't where they should be. Other areas of interest include those with distinguishing features like valves. Once surveyors locate an object, they'll cover the area with the GPR cart or radar antenna more than once to get more details on the dimensions and depth of the item. GPR is a cost-effective way to survey an area before building on it, and it will keep you alert to any potential surprises, ranging from unauthorized utility lines to changes in soil composition. Advantages of a Ground Penetrating Radar GPRs provide plenty of advantages, and it's very useful as a non-destructive method of surveying an area before any excavation or building starts. A professional survey from a GPR device arms you with the information you need to make good decisions for your construction site. Here are some of the ways you can benefit from using a GPR on construction projects. 1. Provide a Starting Point The best time to get a GPR survey done is before you even start your project. If you ascertain the locations of underground utilities before you start to build, the process can go much more smoothly. Once you know where important utility lines are located, it's easier to build the rest of the structure around them. In some cases, utility lines may need to be moved before you can complete a construction project. 2. Keep Your Team Members Safe Underground utilities like pipes and wires are potentially dangerous. Cut power lines can electrocute people, and gas lines can cause explosions. The GPR results for your construction site will let you know the exact location of utility lines so you can avoid any unfortunate surprises. You can prioritize safety for your team members by getting professional utility locating services. 3. Avoid Costly Damage Not only are utility lines dangerous, they can also cause significant damage to your site or building materials. Explosions, fires, and floods from cut utility lines can result in a lot of damage to building materials and equipment. Damage prevention is always cheaper than repairs or replacements, so invest in a GPR survey before construction begins. 4. Get More Accurate Results Utility mark outs are made with the best of intentions, but they aren't always accurate. Sometimes they're made using old, out of date records. Instead of relying on provided records, play it safe and get professional utility locating. GPR lets you find the location of any utilities easily and with a 97% accuracy rate up to a depth of 13 feet. This survey method tells you the specific locations of important utility lines. It can even detect a wide range of materials, not just conductive metals. Professional utility locators can also adjust the antenna frequency to detect items at different depths. High frequency radio waves provide higher resolution, giving you the most accurate reading of subterranean obstacles. 5. Discover Potential Obstacles During utility location, people normally have an idea of what to expect and what to look for, like gas and power lines. However, some obstacles might not show up on records, either because they're naturally occurring or they were done unofficially. Without GPR survey, concrete structures and abandoned lines could take you by surprise. Items like tree roots or buried objects can get in the way of your building project, but a GPR technician will alert you to these obstacles before they become a serious problem. GPR systems even let you know about the soil conditions of the building site! How Effective Is GPR? GPR is a useful tool in an arsenal dedicated to figuring out subterranean conditions and obstacles. It's an important part of any construction site preparation. This survey method has an incredible 97% accuracy rate with a penetration depth of 13 feet. What's more, GPR procedures are low-cost, work quickly, and are great for locating important structures below ground without disturbing the soil. It's the best technology available for surveying a site, and it can save you a lot of money by preventing expensive problems. Before you start a project that involves digging into the ground, get professional utility locating services first. Util-Locate uses cutting-edge technology to provide fast and accurate readings for utility line locations. Contact us today to learn more about our services or to schedule an appointment.

Utility locating services is a necessary step when preparing for any construction project because they make construction safer and more efficient. Ground penetrating radar is a highly effective method that lets you know about any features below ground, from utility lines to septic tanks.

It’s always better to learn about your building site before getting a project started, to prevent any potential issues. With the help of ground-penetrating radar, construction teams can prepare for underground obstacles and avoid costly mistakes.

What Is GPR?

Ground penetrating radar is a non-destructive method for getting images of anything beneath the ground, including voids. It uses radio waves to indicate the locations of objects below the surface. It has a wide variety of applications, including scientific studies, archaeology, and of course, construction.

GPR technology functions by sending radar signals in the direction of a target area, which tells you if there’s anything present there. A GRP system will interpret the reflected signals and assemble the data into an image of the object.

When a survey is complete, you’ll learn the exact locations of the utility lines and be made aware of any other subsurface features.

How Does GPR Work?

GPR works by using radio waves to locate objects underground. It transmits pulses of energy with a frequency range up to 1000 MHz. When those energy pulses are directed into the ground, objects below the surface reflect that energy and show up on the radar. All GPR systems are equipped with a receiver antenna, to record the reflected waves.

Software assembles those reflected GPR signals into a visual, and the results show the size and shape of any object below ground. Each energy pulse returns more data to the receiver about the location and material properties of any items below. GPR equipment uses different frequencies to collect information about various depths and provide different resolution levels.

With the help of GPR data, you can learn which areas contain utility lines or other potential obstacles. This method of data collection can detect all kinds of materials, including metal, rock, and PVC.

Utility locating experts often start in areas marked for utility lines, but sometimes utility lines aren’t where they should be. Other areas of interest include those with distinguishing features like valves. Once surveyors locate an object, they’ll cover the area with the GPR cart or radar antenna more than once to get more details on the dimensions and depth of the item.

GPR is a cost-effective way to survey an area before building on it, and it will keep you alert to any potential surprises, ranging from unauthorized utility lines to changes in soil composition.

Advantages of a Ground Penetrating Radar

GPRs provides plenty of advantages, and it’s very useful as a non-destructive method of surveying an area before any excavation or building starts. A professional survey from a GPR device arms you with the information you need to make good decisions for your construction site.

Here are some of the ways you can benefit from using a GPR on construction projects.

1. Provide a Starting Point

The best time to get a GPR survey done is before you even start your project. If you ascertain the locations of underground utilities before you start to build, the process can go much more smoothly.

Once you know where important utility lines are located, it’s easier to build the rest of the structure around them. In some cases, utility lines may need to be moved before you can complete a construction project.

2. Keep Your Team Members Safe

Underground utilities like pipes and wires are potentially dangerous. Cut power lines can electrocute people, and gas lines can cause explosions. The GPR results for your construction site will let you know the exact location of utility lines so you can avoid any unfortunate surprises.

You can prioritize safety for your team members by getting professional utility locating services.

3. Avoid Costly Damage

Not only are utility lines dangerous, they can also cause significant damage to your site or building materials. Explosions, fires, and floods from cut utility lines can result in a lot of damage to building materials and equipment.

Damage prevention is always cheaper than repairs or replacements, so invest in a GPR survey before construction begins.

4. Get More Accurate Results

Utility mark outs are made with the best of intentions, but they aren’t always accurate. Sometimes they’re made using old, out-of-date records. Instead of relying on provided records, play it safe and get professional utility locating.

GPR lets you find the location of any utilities easily and with a 97% accuracy rate up to a depth of 13 feet. This survey method tells you the specific locations of important utility lines. It can even detect a wide range of materials, not just conductive metals.

Professional utility locators can also adjust the antenna frequency to detect items at different depths. High-frequency radio waves provide higher resolution, giving you the most accurate reading of subterranean obstacles.

5. Discover Potential Obstacles

During utility location, people normally have an idea of what to expect and what to look for, like gas and power lines. However, some obstacles might not show up on records, either because they’re naturally occurring or they were done unofficially. Without a GPR survey, concrete structures and abandoned lines could take you by surprise.

Items like tree roots or buried objects can get in the way of your building project, but a GPR technician will alert you to these obstacles before they become a serious problem. GPR systems even let you know about the soil conditions of the building site!

How Effective Is GPR?

GPR is a useful tool in an arsenal dedicated to figuring out subterranean conditions and obstacles. It’s an important part of any construction site preparation. This survey method has an incredible 97% accuracy rate with a penetration depth of 13 feet.

What’s more, GPR procedures are low-cost, work quickly, and are great for locating important structures below ground without disturbing the soil. It’s the best technology available for surveying a site, and it can save you a lot of money by preventing expensive problems.

Before you start a project that involves digging into the ground, get professional utility locating services first. Util-Locate uses cutting-edge technology to provide fast and accurate readings for utility line locations.

Contact us today to learn more about our services or to schedule an appointment.

Major Headache: Expenses Involved in a Utility Strike

Util Locate Van and Truck

 

There are a lot of costs tied up in any construction project, no matter the size. If you are managing or running a construction site, you already know how multi-layered the budget sheet can get, and often there is not much room for unplanned expenses. One of the most expensive accidents that can occur on a construction site is a utility strike, which tends to happen when a construction site is not properly excavated.

With our utility potholing, the risk of striking a utility line is effectively removed from the equation. The upfront cost of hiring our professional team and equipment is far,  far lower than the costs you will end up paying if a utility strike occurs. Not only does private utility locating offer visual confirmation of the locations of utility lines, but the process is efficient and convenient for all construction sites. Later in this article, we will explain the other benefits that come with choosing our underground utility locating services.

Keep reading to learn more about how utility strikes happen and the many expenses that are involved.

When Utility Line Strikes Happen

Utility strikes occur during the excavation process and typically happen when clunky or imprecise equipment and methods are used. Previously, backhoes were the most common way to quickly excavate a construction site. While backhoes are inexpensive to hire and easy to train crews to use, they are unwieldy and cannot be relied on for delicate work like utility locating. 

Backhoes are also very invasive and will result in a lot of disruption of the surface of your construction site. This can be expensive to set right again and also result in unexpected delays.

When the utility line is punctured or otherwise damaged, it results in a very serious disruption of that utility’s service to the surrounding area. Depending on the type of strike and the utility involved, fatalities can even occur. 

Common Expenses Involved with Utility Strikes

While no one can predict the exact amount you may end up paying for a utility strike, there are several common costs associated that you should be aware of. All of these are serious expenses that can end up derailing even the most well-organized project.

  • Repairs: previously, repair costs were the most worrisome expense construction managers and investors faced. However, now repairs can be done for a relatively affordable amount which will not typically disrupt or unsettle a construction project. Of course, the costs here are dependent on the amount of damage caused and an explosion from a struck gas line will result in serious costs. Still, for modern construction projects, the following expenses will be much steeper and of more concern.
  • Service Interruption Costs: when a utility line is struck, gas and electricity can be cut off for the surrounding area, including vital service centers such as hospitals. Customers of these utility companies can sue the construction project for loss of service or for preventing the utility company from fulfilling its contract to provide a certain level of service. When thousands of people are suing, costs add up quickly. The largest recent settlement involved a $100 million payout for loss of service caused by a utility strike. This is a clear example of just how expensive a utility strike can be. No construction project or investor is prepared to settle this kind of expense without causing massive delays and even restructuring.  
  • Delays: we are all aware of how important deadlines are for any construction site. They are what drive progress forward and ensure that costs are kept in line with expectations. With repairs and potential lawsuits from a utility strike, you could also face long delays and dried up funds. This may result in the entire project being held in limbo, which is not only expensive but also wastes time for everyone involved.

No one can predict how serious a utility strike will be, it could be a bit of damaged piping or copper, or it could be an explosion. In all cases, it is best to avoid the strike in the first place by choosing a safe and reliable method of utility potholing.

utility potholing

How to Avoid a Utility Strike

There are a number of ways you can avoid utility strikes altogether. The most important place to begin is by choosing private utility locating involving mapping services, RADAR technology, and utility potholing.

  • Utility Maps: we offer a wide collection of utility maps that show the general locations of many types of subsurface level structures, such as utility lines and cables. These are important for estimating the number of holes that should be dug and how deep they should be when obtaining visual confirmation of utility locations. 
  • RADAR and GPR Technology: another useful tool that should be used in combination with vacuum excavation are RADAR or GRP (Ground Penetrating Radar) technologies. Like maps, these will give our team a 3D image of the subsurface level of your construction site so that we can proceed efficiently and safely with the excavation process. 
  • Hydro Vacuum Excavation: the most reliable method of utility potholing is done through hydro vacuum excavation. Not only is it very safe, but it is also time and cost-efficient. Our team is highly trained and has years of experience locating utilities for construction projects of all scopes and sizes. Our method is also non-invasive, which means you can continue working on the site quickly after the utility location has been completed. 

Our utility locating services are designed to keep your costs down and your construction site safe for your crew and members of the public. To find out more, click here to learn about our vacuum excavation services.

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.