Tools used in Underground Utility Location
The underground detection services industry is often changing, and it can be hard for consumers to determine which services are reputable. If you are looking to hire an underground detection service, choose one that is up to date on the latest best practices and using the best tools and training available. This will help to keep your costs low and keep everyone on your property safe. Here are some of the top tools any utility detection service should be using, and a look at the reasons why.
PIPE & CABLE LOCATORS
The basic premise behind an underground utility locator is that it works by producing and transmitting a signal onto a utility that is metallic that the receiver can detect. A signal (measured in kHz or Hz) can be produced by a transmitter and is sent through the utility by either conductive or inductive means. “Conductive” means a direct connect connection such as alligator clips. “Inductive” means the signal is “induced” onto the metallic utility line with an induction clamp which is secured or clamped around the utility line but does not connect metal to metal as the conductive alligator clip does. Inductive is great when you don’t have access or ability to do a direct connection. In case you’re wondering, the conductive method is better since it is metal to metal and the transmitter is able to send a signal better. Once your transmitter is connected and turned on producing a signal on the utility, you can then take the receiver part of the instrument and wave it over the areas you believe the utility to be in. When you start picking up the signal you will over time learn how to pin-point exactly where the utility line is buried, and how deep. This takes practice over time but new-comers to the utility location profession can learn it fairly quickly but should be trained by someone with years of experience.
2 Man Inductive Electromagnetic Sweep & 1 Man Split Box Inductive Electromagnetic Sweep
In a 2 man sweep, one person holds the receiver while the other holds the multi-frequency transmitter and they determine where metallic/conductive utility lines are by walking together slowly across the ground and looking for unknown underground lines. An inductive sweep is performed after all known utilities that have above ground evidence have been marked. An inductive sweep can also be performed with a single frequency split-box. Conducting an inductive electromagnetic scan should be performed at the end of every project.
GPR ( Ground Penetrating Radar)
Ground penetrating radar (for utility locating application) is primarily used to locate non-metallic “unlocatable” facilities, underground structures and storage tanks. Ground penetrating radar is a non-destructive, gentle way to locate subsurface utilities. In the right conditions, practitioners can use GPR to detect subsurface objects, changes in material properties, voids and cracks.
Any service that is up to date on best practices for locating items underground should already be using these tools on an everyday basis. Making sure that they do can save you many hours of labor on the final invoice they present you for payment.
Additional Methods for Verifying Underground Utility Locations.
Vacuum excavation services use a high powered air stream to dig faster than the traditional methods. This type of excavation is also safer than using traditional tools like a shovel or excavator because there is no risk of metal hitting metal. The high pressure air stream breaks apart the molecules of dirt and clears the way for the technician to spot any utility lines or underground features that shouldn’t be disturbed. Not only is this method safer, its also cleaner because the vacuum removes any extra dirt before it can pile up.
I did not know that there were so many different underground utility location service companies. I agree that to make sure that you have the best company it is important to make sure that their practices are up to date. Also, now that I know that there are certain scans and services that are done to find the utilities it will be easier to find out whether a company is respectable or not. I will keep that in mind when looking for a company.
Thanks for helping me learn more about the tools that are used for locating underground utilities. It’s good to know that you need to be trained for this detection to make sure that the job is done right. I’m interested to learn more about the training that should be received, especially if learning this can help you understand more about the experience that the technician has.
My husband has been thinking of hiring an underground location service because we recently moved into a new home and he wants to be aware of everything near and under the foundation. I like that you say a service is only as good as the equipment they use and a well-qualified company usually has some type of radar or sondes to determine where the utility lines and sewer systems are before they begin the project. Also, you say to make sure the team that you hire has received proper training in detection and excavation and I agree that this is extremely important.