Significance Of Utility Location Services At Construction Sites

In the past, water, sewer, and natural gas were the only common buried available utilities. Today, this has changed and the underground landscape has become a puzzle of unseen pipelines, conduits, wells, storage tanks, vaults, ventilation shafts, drainage facilities, etc. Electrical and telecommunications services above the underground utilities have become increasingly vulnerable to storm damage and premature aging caused by exposure to weather and sunlight. Costly repairs and maintenance of aerial utility installations have paved a way for the ever-increasing demand for underground utility contractors in Northern California and other locations.

It is estimated that about 25% of damage to buried utilities occur because utility location services were never requested or performed before excavation. About 50% of damage occurs due to errors on the part of the excavation teams. These teams either don’t precisely know where the utilities are located, or they misinterpret the location data completely. Precision utility locating services can help avoid damages caused due to improper drilling, blasting or excavating because they identify the exact location and depth of buried facilities. They also identify tolerance zones around these services where excavators must exercise other special measures.

Precision utility location is a really good idea to implement. The excavators are legally accountable if they are not able to restore damaged facilities to safe operation. This fact makes the service to have a high success rate. Having exact location data alleviates the risk of damage, and reduces or eliminates unpredictable costs associated with site excavation.

So, make use of these services, available through a variety of online platforms, to locate all underground facilities in a proposed excavation area. These sites also have experienced individuals if you are looking for leak detection services.

Why Ground Penetrating Radar Is Best For Utility Locating?

You are excited to build the pool of your dreams in your backyard or maybe want to dig up a trench around your property. However, before you do that, there is one thing that you need to do. You need to look for an affordable private utility locator service, because you will need to locate any utilities that might be underground. And you can ask for the use of Ground penetrating radar (GPR) for this purpose. GPR is one of the most efficient methods of utility location. Here’s why -

It allows for non-destructive examination

Since the GPR method is based on electromagnetic principles, it involves non-intrusive inspection. This means that it is able to locate underground utilities without damaging the surrounding surfaces and structures.

It provides accurate results

Unlike other methods of utility locating, GPR is also able to detect and locate both metallic as well as non-metallic objects. This means that objects such as plastic drums and pipes will not go undetected. This method is able to give you the exact location of the object along with its depth. This is why this method is best for areas that may have completely unknown utilities.

This method is cost-effective

GPR is low-cost and is also easy to operate. Since this method allows for non-intrusive detection, there is no damage to surrounding structure or surface, which further eliminates repair costs. It also reduces the possibility of an expensive downtime due to structure damage or even worker injury.

Considering these benefits in mind, you must ask the locating service providers to use GPR.

Utility Location - Traditional Vs Modern Methods

The traditional underground utility location methods were primarily based on the principle of electromagnetism where the target facilities were metallic or were placed with a metallic “tracer” wire. The equipment used for utility location consisted of two instruments- a transmitter and a receiver. 

A signal was applied to the target conductor with the transmitter and then the receiver was used to locate the electromagnetic field that traveled along the cables or pipes. Time changed and for items which were deemed “not locatable”, there was a desperate need to deploy more specialized equipment to locate potentially hazardous items beneath the ground. This was because the items’ location could not be determined using conventional methods.

Private utility locating service is more affordable now and service providers have the latest and more advanced equipment, to locate facilities in virtually all areas. They make use of ground penetrating radars, acoustic locators, sondes (inserted in pipes) and conduits. Wherever necessary, physical potholing is also done to locate utilities. Adding this extra layer of protection allows operators to ensure safe operation at working sites and uninterrupted underground utility locating services.

Whether it’s a cutting, coring, drilling, excavation, or construction project, only choose from the best utility location service providers to make sure your project goes off without a hitch.

Do it the Safe Way - Opt for Utility Locating Service

Are you living in California? Are you looking for a utility locating service? Each state in the US has its own 811 public utility call center that you can call and get help with utility locating. But, do public services give you complete protection and satisfaction? Most properties likely have a number of underground utilities, but only a few will be marked by 811. Therefore, people often go for private services to get proper assurance and work done as per their requirements. If you are looking for utility locating in California, there are many private service providers that you can call for.

Why choose an underground locating service?

Doing or digging it yourself is risky as you may not have any idea on how to do it. You need to know the accurate location before digging to avoid further severe results that it can cause; like, damage to gas, electric, communication, and others.

Most of the utility locating service providers are specialized in-

Subsurface utility locating that requires for locating various underground utilities for a safe approach to digging and trenching.

Utility marking and locating to locate rebar, post tension cables and more

Water line locating to check the position, damage and leaking of water pipelines, and, locate rebar, post tension cables, conduit, slab thickness, and void.

Quick service

You can get services at any time as there are many service providers in the state. You can get utility locating in San Francisco, Oakland, Truxton, Sacramento and in many other cities and towns.

If you are looking for utility locating in California, you can search on the internet as you can find a number of service providers that provide such services.

Why Hiring An Expert For Utility Locating Services Is Important?

Fire, flood, collapse, gas explosion and blast are some of the critical hazard associated with underground mining. That is why it is important to contact an expert for utility locating services to reduce the risk of utility hits on underground projects.

In general, the majority of people have no idea how much activity goes on underground. Most of the utilities we use in our day to day life are installed underground. And, it requires skills and experience to get the job done in an accurate manner. Be it gas pipelines, sewer lines, cable service or electrical lines, find the right professional to get Utility Locating Services.

Professional experts will take care of all of your underground utility needs using high-tech tools and equipment and ensure that you avoid all hassles. They use the latest in line locators, rodders and sondes to eliminate unpleasant and expensive surprises.

Hiring technicians with UTA certification ensure that you will get professional quality on every job. Not only this, they will make sure that the job is done right, on time, and on budget.

How To Find The Right Technician?

When looking for professional to complete utility locating in San Francisco, it is important to consider local, reputable companies that have expertise in this area. Any thought of DIY should be discarded as, without proper knowledge and experience, the risks are too high. You do not even want to imagine the situation of accidentally drilling into a gas line or a sewer line. Right? For utility locating projects, find the right technician and get a solution to meet all your needs.

Get the Job Done Right With Utility Locating Services

Underground digging can be a highly cumbersome and difficult task demanding a great deal of accuracy and precision. Additionally, it can also be very hazardous because it requires dealing with utility pipes below the ground. If not done in the right manner, it can cause breakage and leakage of underground utility pipes. Therefore, it is highly advisable to hire professional utility marking service from a reputable company. The role played by utility location services in most industries can’t be denied.

These days, there are many companies who provide utility marking services in the most cost-effective and efficient way. When looking for the best private utility locating service, you can certainly get one that offers highly efficient services at rates at an affordable cost. Many companies make use of the state of art tools and techniques, permitting them to precisely handle underground utility pipes. They use 3D maps in order to assist constructors and engineers to accomplish the reconstruction process in an accurate and safe manner. These maps can be used additionally with construction plans in order to avoid any hassle. However, in general, a utility locator company makes use of popular technologies like acoustic location, ground penetrating radar, electromagnetic and infrared imaging. 

Whether it’s the task of cutting, coring, drilling, excavation, or any other construction project, reliable utility locating services will leave no stone unturned to ensure that your project continues without any hitch. Their ertified professionals insure you get high-quality results on every job. So, what are you waiting for? Contact them today!