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3 Best Underground Utility Locating Systems

The job of utility locating service involves the use of a wide range of equipment. Depending on the type of work being done and the utility type being sought, locators choose the appropriate locating tool. Methods that locate utilities accurately ensure that excavation crews and communities are safe from injury due to striking utility lines.

Locating underground utilities, such as sewer and gas lines, is a process of finding and marking these assets—all of which protect the public from accidents like explosions caused by buried gas lines or electrocution caused by striking buried utilities.

Anyone planning to do any kind of digging in the U.S. is required to contact the state’s 811 centers to locate public utilities before digging a site. Excavators must also hire professional location services to locate all non-public assets due to the presence of private utilities on most construction sites.

3 Best Utility Locating Systems

Underground pipes, water lines, cables, batteries, power lines, metallic objects, and non-metallic objects can’t all be found by the same utility locator device. The key to detecting all types of underground utility infrastructure is the choice of tools that complement each other. Utility locating equipment in the market can be broken down into three types.

1. Ground Penetrating Radar Technology

Utilities buried underground can be located using ground-penetrating radar (GPR). A transmitter and a receiver are usually included in different types of utility-locating equipment units.

Radiation from the transmitter penetrates the ground through ground-penetrating radar. The receiver receives a signal when it is reflected off of something in the underground path, while signals are translated into images of objects beneath the surface by the receiver’s software.

2. Electromagnetic Profiling Locators

A conductive utility can only be located with an electromagnetic (EM) locator. The frequencies are transmitted from the equipment’s transmitter onto the ground. The receiver begins to identify and track the location of the asset once the frequency is transmitted through a metallic utility.

Additionally, it is capable of establishing the difference between different lines as well as finding utilities in many cases.

Tracer wire is commonly run along or atop gas pipelines to make them easy to locate because most are constructed from medium or high-density polyethylene pipe. An operator in these situations can make a connection and induce a current on a tracer wire and locate it by having access to the system.

3. Radiofrequency Pipe and Cable Locators

The use of radiofrequency (RF) locators for locating conductive utilities is also common. In the same way that EM equipment uses high frequencies to locate buried assets, a radio frequency locator uses high frequencies to gain access to such assets.

There is also the possibility that pipe locators can detect non-metal utilities buried alongside one if tracer wires are buried with them.

What is the Best Type of Utility Locating Equipment to Use?

The primary method of utility location is by using electromagnetic locators. Ground penetrating equipment is much slower, easier to operate, and less accurate than electromagnetic equipment, which is limited to finding metallic objects only.

However, GPR can also locate non-conductive materials, but an experienced locator in the field needs to be able to properly identify all kinds of assets.

Together, GPR and EM tools maximize their potential and provide accuracy and complete location of underground utilities with ease. The type of equipment to use for utility locators must also be determined by the environmental and area conditions.

A number of factors play into the performance of locating equipment. For example, soil conductivity and soil moisture levels.

Make Your Next Project Easy with Utility Locating Services

You can save tons of time and make challenging projects simpler with an underground utility locating service, regardless of whether you’re a professional or a novice. The most important benefit of using these devices, however, is that they can help avoid any electrical or natural gas disturbances during the project.

This is something you should leave to the professionals. At Util-Locate, we generate accurate data using high-tech ground mapping tools, CCTV line installation, and licensed expertise.

To find out what our services can do for you, get in touch with our team at 866-638-1075 at Util-Locate today!

The Future of CCTV/Pipe Inspection

Without the use of pipe inspection cameras, most sewer pipe damage cannot be determined how severe it is and where it is located. Globally, closed-circuit television (CCTV) has been used for a variety of purposes throughout history. The plumbing industry has benefited greatly from this breakthrough technology.

Domestic as well as commercial plumbing systems can be examined using CCTV-based pipe inspections to ensure maximum performance. In order to prevent leaks, cracks, blockages, corrosion, and other defects in pipes, surveyors must regularly inspect them.

Traditionally, sewer inspections have been time-consuming and inefficient. As a result, they may miss defects due to the use of manual processes on-site to check for defects.

What is the Function of CCTV Cameras For Sewer Inspections?

Surveyors usually use a robotic CCTV camera crawler transportation unit since they cannot inspect pipes above ground or physically access them underground. By inserting a CCTV camera crawler through a manhole, you can inspect and record sewer lines. Crawlers have CCTV cameras mounted on them that can rotate or change directions as necessary.

In addition to capturing high-quality images and videos, these devices come with user-friendly applications that promote safety and quality while enhancing productivity. Computer-controlled CCTV cameras transmit real-time information and images back to the operator along with the ability to store the information for later reference.

Innovative Technologies in Pipe Inspection

Generally, CCTV pipe inspections are more expensive because of the equipment, the site setup, and the back-end processing. In order to drive down the overall cost of CCTV/Pipe inspections, CCTV contractors and asset owners can utilize new technologies.

Sewer Camera Inspections with VR

Traditional surveying solutions could be replaced by VR. VR solutions let operators move crawlers forward and then capture VR video from any direction by simply instructing them to do so. A 360-degree video that has been captured on-site can then be reframed in editing software to simulate panning and tilting. In this way, operators can save time on location by working in an office setting.

Analytics Powered by Artificial Intelligence

There are multiple uses of artificial intelligence (AI) in pipe inspection, and it can be used in many different areas. The CCTV inspection package can be tailored based on statistical models that predict pipe degradation. Using artificial intelligence, the inspection workflow can be simplified both on-site and back-office, as manual processes can be eliminated.

Computer Vision Tools

With computer vision, it is possible to comprehend what is happening in a picture by using the pixels in the picture. Edge detection and noise filtering are some common computer vision applications. Images can also be measured using computer vision, and changes can be tracked over time using computer vision.

Online Tools and Cloud Streaming with 5G

It was often time-consuming to transmit a large amount of data between locations before 5G was introduced. With the expansion of 5G coverage and adoption, cloud streaming services are likely to become more prevalent in wastewater networks.

For CCTV Pipe Inspection and CCTV Sewer Inspection, Trust Only The Best

The CCTV sewer inspection and CCTV pipe inspection services offered by Util-Locate will solve your underground sewer problems.

Our team of experts at Util-Locate can identify buried materials in your excavation without guesswork. We’re here to help if you need us at Util-Locate! Feel free to call us at 888-885-6228.

How Utility Locating Services Have Changed Over Time

Locators of utility lines use a range of equipment to complete their work. Depending on the work to be done and the type of utility that needs to be located, locators choose which tools to use for utility locating. A reliable utility location method prevents hazardous utility strikes among excavation crews and the surrounding communities.

There are a variety of tools used for detecting underground cables. Located tools are used for specific purposes and come with some limitations as well. Radars, electromagnetic utility locators, and APLs are the most popular tools for detecting underground utilities.

Common Methods For Underground Utility Location

It is possible to locate a buried utility line using a variety of methods and techniques. Before choosing a locating method, you need to gather as much information about the job site as possible, as well as any mapping information that’s available.

Electromagnetic Utility Locating

Emitting electromagnetic waves is one of the most common methods of locating private utilities.

A metallic field is created using electricity for the purpose of detecting underground cables using these tools. There are two components to the electromagnetic utility locator, the transmitter and the receiver. Electrified cables are connected to the transmitter through electric current transmission.

Early nineteenth-century discoveries gave rise to a profound understanding of electromagnetic induction. Within a generation or so of the turn of the century, electromagnetic induction had been used to locate hidden cables. Electronic cable and pipe locators have advanced to the point where they are portable, accurate, and reliable. Pipes and cables are found underground using these devices.

Ground-Penetrating Radar

Another method of locating underground utilities is utilizing Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR). An operator transmits radio waves onto the ground, which are reflected back up to the equipment, where they display objects on a screen. GPR was originally developed in the 1930s for measuring glacier thickness. In the 1960s, 1970s, and ultimately in the mid-1980s, hardware and software made significant technological advancements.

Modern Utility Locating Technology

The increased demand in locating utility services demands and increasingly complex utility grids with many intersecting lines have put additional pressure on scanning tools to provide accuracy and depth. Electromagnetic scanning technology became more advanced and featured as new features and advancements were introduced.

Utility scanning and locating are often carried out by electromagnetic induction scanning throughout the world without causing any damage to the utilities. Repairing utility lines, cabling, and fiber optics, displaying key archaeological locations during excavations, and mapping construction sites for safe excavation are just a few of the applications.

As a result of these technological advances, GPRS has been training on and utilizing the most advanced electromagnetic scanning tools for locating private utilities. Utility scanning and locating services by GPRS continue to be among the best in the industry for construction and excavation crews across the country.

Whenever you require expertise in locating and scanning infrastructure, contact Util-Locate! To locate and map underground utilities efficiently, our team consists of highly skilled professionals using GPR. We at Util-Locate can assist you with private utility locating. Please contact us at 888-885-6228 for more information.

5 Myths About Utility Mapping

There are a number of cables, pipes, and other conduits beneath your feet that carry gas, electricity, water, and digital information. As a result, site planning for development and design projects has become even more crucial, not only to extend the utility lines’ lives, but also to provide uninterrupted views.

A project can be kept on track if you are familiar with the location of buried utilities before you start construction. During the early planning stages, knowing the locations of utilities is often crucial, depending on the scope of your project. Then, you can develop your site plan and determine the feasibility of your project in the most cost-effective manner.

You should always locate utilities accordingly when planning your next project, even though they are a bit misunderstood. The following information will ensure a smooth and successful construction project by dispelling a few common misconceptions about utility mapping.

1. Pre-Existing Utility Maps Are Reliable

The utility map you have of your property may seem reliable, but it may not include older lines that weren’t recorded at the time the map was made. The map may not include any utility lines that have been built since it was created.

Using a utility map alone is not always a good idea, since they are not always completely accurate and can be misinterpreted. Prior to any excavation or drilling, utility marking needs to be done, even if you believe the map is accurate.

2. Mapping & Locating Utility Assets is Accurate

Despite its improvements over the last few decades, utility locating remains an imperfect science. It is possible for readings to be inaccurate for a variety of reasons. An operator’s experience, the type of equipment used, and the ground conditions all play a role.

Despite advances in technology, accurate results might not always be achieved. Although ground-penetrating radars and other pipe-locating equipment are highly accurate and provide cutting-edge technology, they have some limitations. Don’t forget that the readings taken are the operator’s interpretation.

3. Utility Mapping Checks Are One-Time Only

A thorough mapping of existing utilities is done before beginning any new excavation or drilling project to ensure everyone’s safety. Since the last excavation or utility survey, there may have been a new electric or gas service added. Markouts are always a good idea before digging.

There might be obstructions during the survey time that prevent utility locators from fully accessing the site. It is also possible to gather clues by discussing the site with staff familiar with it, as well as by accessing nearby utility rooms and finding utility records.

4. Non-Metallic Utilities Are Not Detectable

It is still possible to locate non-metallic utilities using Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR), even if GPR is not able to see all utilities. Additionally, the utility can be traced using a cable or pipe locating device if the conduit pipe is hollow with a metallic trace wire inserted into it.

5. You Can Locate All Utilities With The 811 Service

It is vital that your property be surveyed if you plan to dig. Conducting a survey with Call 811 will help prevent accidental damage. After you call 811, your local utility provider will get in touch with you to let them know you’re planning on digging.

But some utility companies don’t mark your ground quickly, so private utility lines may not be taken into account if the meter, box, or transformer is on your side. Marking the communication, electric, gas, water, and sewer lines within your property will usually require the assistance of a private locating company.

A professional, reliable, and trustworthy utility mapping service is what you can expect from our team of skilled experts. Contact Util-Locate today at 888-885-6228 or email us at info@util-locate.com for more information about our services!

Utility Service Locator with Depth Indicator

It is common knowledge that utility locating keeps workers as well as residents safe. Additionally, it contributes to on-time and on-budget project completion. It’s important to keep in mind that this service can be used for much more than damage prevention, however.

Utility locating contributes to the efficiency of construction sites, the safety of communities, and the operational efficiency of utilities. In order to effectively locate materials, utilities, diggers, and 811 operators must cooperate.

Utility Locating: How Does It Work?

Utility locating involves creating a detailed map of what’s going on under the surface using high-tech equipment, also known as underground utility mapping or utility detection. A utility locator verifies existing infrastructure and manages excavation practices safely, rather than risking damage to underground pipes and cables.

The ability to map and account for utilities before opening the ground is vital when using hydro excavation and other soft digging equipment. Location services using electromagnetic field technology are among the most popular today, since this technology generates, sends, and receives electromagnetic radio frequencies through the earth.

By converting signal strength into depth, modern locators can also measure depth. Signals from other sources can, however, cause distortion, resulting in errors in in-depth measurements.

What Are the Uses of Utility Locating?

Residential, commercial, and civil utilities can be mapped with underground utility mapping technology. Private builders and government organizations involved in infrastructure projects use this technology regularly, although it can be prohibitively expensive for small residential jobs.

Locators reduce the risk of damaging underground pipes and other services by preventing them from being hit and broken. To reduce the risk of exposure to dangerous electric wires and waste-water pipes, pipe locator technology is also an important part of health and safety.

Using advanced technology and training, private utility locators are capable of producing more detailed deliverables, such as digital maps, thereby reducing the possibility of mistakes and costly delays. Construction delays, buried line damage, and injuries are more likely to occur when locators miss buried lines or surface markers due to limited technology or training.

When Should You Call a Utility Locator?

Any project that involves digging deeper than 16 inches into the ground requires the assistance of a licensed utility locator. Calling the national service line is generally sufficient for simple residential projects. However, companies that perform utility location services can be contacted for larger commercial or municipal projects.

To locate underground gas lines, electrical lines, water pipes, and more, a utility locator uses certain technologies, such as EMR and EMI. For your project to run smoothly, this is an absolute necessity. In order to avoid liability and safety risks, it is imperative to conduct a new assessment of underground utilities.

This process can take a few hours to several days, depending on the size of the property, to be scanned. You will reduce your liability risk if your crew is injured or an accident occurs when utilities are marked before you begin work.

Looking for experienced surveyors to assist with your large-scale commercial project? With advanced technology and in-depth utility locating training, Util-Locate delivers high-quality, accurate field data through a large pool of utility services locating experts to its customers.

Util-Locate is ready to provide safety and expertise for your utility mapping project if you’re looking for a reputable and experienced utility mapping company. For more information about concrete scanning at Util-Locate, feel free to contact us at 888-885-6228.

4 Reasons to Call In Private Underground Utility Locating Services

You’re planning on building a new property. You were told to get help from a utility locating service. You’re not sure if you should. Is it worth the cost? Maybe you can just do the work yourself. This article will go through the reasons why you need help from a private utility locating service.

What is a Private Utility Locating Service?

Before we go through the reasons why you need help from a private utility locating company, we have to identify what this kind of provider is. It’s important to distinguish public utility lines from private utility lines.

Public utility lines are those provided and serviced by utility companies and include power, gas, sewers, communications, water, and other public utilities.

On the other hand, private utility lines are those that are installed privately by the owners of the property or someone else. For example, an electrical line going to a barn from the main house or a gas line going to a grill can be considered private utility lines.

Reasons to Get a Utility Locating Service

So, why should you get help from a utility locating service? Here are four of the reasons why:

They Specialize in Utility Location

You might suppose that it is best to go DIY with locating the conduit or the fiber lines under your property, but a mistake on your part can be costly. It can also be dangerous.

It is best to hire experts who are experienced at locating the buried lines under your property and have them mark those. Their experience and knowledge will ensure that building your structure is off to the right start.

They Have the Right Equipment

On top of the knowledge and experience, a team from a utility locating service will also have the right tools to do the job. For example, they can use Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) to locate communication and sewer lines that might not be detected by other methods.

They also have access to other sophisticated tools that can be used to identify everything that is underground.

They Provide Fast Service

You know that there is an electric line under your property but you’re not sure where it is located. You can try tracing it but that will take time. It can take days for you to identify its path on the ground.

Unfortunately, you don’t have the luxury of time to get it done. This is why you should ask for help from a utility locating service. They can get the job done quickly, so you can move on with your project.

They Ensure Safety

For any construction undertaking, safety should always be the priority and when you have unknown gas and electrical lines on the job site, there is the risk of those lines being struck. It’s better to stay safe and sure than take chances. The cost of having someone injured because of striking an electrical line is a serious risk.

Choose a Trusted Utility Locating Service for Your Next Project

Util-Locate is an industry leader and the top choice for utility locating. We have been providing damage prevention for more than 20 years with our high-quality services and cutting-edge tools. Our team is highly trained and can ensure safe utility locating service.

For more details on how to get the best utility locating service and to get the best deal for utility locating, contact us at 888-885-6228 at Util-Locate today!

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