Blog | Util Locate

Factors to Look for in Underground Utility Locating Companies

So you’re ready to get digging to install a sewer or to build a basement on your property. The last thing you want is accidentally hitting a utility line which can lead to floods, electric outages, or fire. Even worse, you can get seriously injured and wind up in the hospital.

Before starting any excavation project, be it in a residential or commercial property, you want to hire utility locators to help you locate utility lines in the area. This prevents accidentally hitting or interfering with existing pipelines, which can cause damages and also derail your project.

There are many companies offering utility locating services today. But accidents happen all the time. According to the 2020 DIRT published by the Common Ground Alliance (CGA), utility damages cost the U.S. a whopping $30 billion annually.

Neglect and lack of experience have no room when it comes to utility locating. That’s why you want to know which companies to trust. Check out the factors outlined below to help you look for companies whose utility locating services you can trust.

Trained & Experienced Technicians

Utility locating requires the use of specialized equipment. A utility locating company should have trained technicians and staff who must have experience handling different projects with varying scopes. This helps give them a comprehensive understanding of your project when you bring it to them.

To know how well trained a utility company’s technicians are, you can check for their certifications or active involvement in relevant industry associations. For example, Util-Locate is part of the Common Ground Alliance and the National Utility Locating Contractors Association (NULCA).

Another option is to go online and examine their website. They should mention previous projects or clients they worked with before. Having a huge portfolio is not always necessary, but having a varied portfolio is certainly an advantage.

Track Record for Excellent Service

When it comes to utility locating, you should not rely on just credentials on paper. Look for companies with an excellent track record. You can look up reviews online.

Yelp has various recommendations based on customer reviews and you can sort the utility companies by location to match your project site.

You can also ask other residential owners or businesses in your area. Inquire about private utility locating companies they’ve worked within the past and learn more about their experiences. Hearing feedback from actual customers often provides the additional insight you won’t glean from simply reading the company website.

Up-To-Date Technology

Utility locating has improved drastically in the last decade. Rather than relying on maps and other historical data, utility locators now have ground-penetrating radar (GPR), hydro vacuum excavators, and other equipment that allow them to accurately locate utilities and determine their depth.

GPR is a utility locating tool that detects metal and non-metal objects, as well as voids, using electromagnetic waves. This method is non-intrusive and cuts utility locating time short.

Not to mention, it has within 90% accuracy, and when used by trained technicians, is incredibly reliable.

Meanwhile, hydro vacuum excavation is a tool that digs holes at strategic locations on your project site. The holes enable the utility locator to visually confirm the location of utility lines. This is a great method utility locators use as an alternative, and sometimes, in conjunction with ground-penetrating radar, as it is the most accurate form of utility locating to date.

Wide Variety of Services

You don’t want a company that only uses one method of utility locating. This means they are not versatile and cannot recommend which utility locating method is best for your project.

You should ask utility locating companies what techniques they use when offering their services.

Working with a private utility locating company that offers various types of utility locating services ensures they have the knowledge and experience to advise you on how to best locate utilities on your site.

Professional

Whether you are hiring utility locating services for a residential or commercial property, you always want to work with professionals. This means that they are insured, hold themselves to a higher standard of service, and guarantee to fix the job should it be needed.

Professionalism equates to quality of service. In a market with many utility locators offering services at varying rates, you want to trust those who present themselves well.

Rather than save a couple of bucks, ensuring you get a highly crucial part of your project done ensures that you and your people are safe, your project follows the intended timeline, and you avoid any potential costs incurred by injuries and damages.

Easy to Reach

Last but not least, you want to work with a private utility company that is easy to reach. Even if a utility locator has the best staff and equipment, there’s no point hiring them if you can’t reach them.

Look for a private utility locating company within your area and choose one with a website that clearly outlines how you can reach them. They should be reachable via email or phone, so you can contact them conveniently at a time that fits your schedule.

Book Utility Locating Services in California

Don’t take risks with your project. Ensure safe excavation by trusting Util-Locate, the number one utility locating company in California.

Util-Locate has over 10 years of experience offering top-notch utility locating services to clients. We’ve built long-lasting relationships all over the state and take pride in the efficiency with which we do our tasks as well as the courtesy and value we deliver to all our customers.

At Util-Locate, we have testimonials from real clients and we’ve worked with various companies from different industries to help ensure their unique projects go smoothly.

We also offer a wide variety of utility locating services from GPR and CCTV pipe inspection all the way to hydro-jetting and potholing utilities.

We meet the highest technical standards in the industry, making sure that we’re the number one choice in utility locating.

To inquire about our services or schedule a service online, contact us at Util-Locate today!

Reasons to Hire an Underground Utility Locating Equipment Company

In new construction, underground utility mapping is required by code, but there are situations where this is not the case. In some cases, property owners and developers perform their digging for buried utility lines.

This may be a strategy to save money on construction. However, the long-term cost of a failed dig may ultimately increase expenses by failing to identify underground utility lines. Although most of us take them for granted, underground utility lines are often unmarked.

They can be just feet below the surface or buried beneath structural footings. Knowing where these lines are is critical to protecting your family, crew, home, and investment.

Property owners and developers should understand the purpose and process of a project’s utility locating program.

What is Utility Lines

Underground utility lines are all the buried facilities that deliver or carry utilities to homes and businesses. This includes:

Water lines
Gas lines
Primary electrical lines
Secondary electrical lines
Telephone lines
Fiber optic lines
Septic pipes
Storm drains

Underground utility lines are typically encased in large steel or plastic pipes.

When to Call a Private Utility Locator

A certified utility location professional is also known as a locator should be called before you begin digging or building. The professional utility locator will examine the topographic maps to determine the best locations for locating all utility lines.

Inspect roads, street curbs and sidewalks, driveways, and trails for buried utility lines. The private utility locator will also dig at specific points to locate utility lines and mark their location on your maps.

By knowing the depth of the utilities you will be able to place footings or foundations in deep enough locations so that they do not contact them.

Here is a list of situations when you should call a professional:

You Need to Demarcate Underground Utility Lines

An Underground Utility Locating Equipment Company is a proactive resource when locating, mapping, and marking underground utilities before excavation.

When confronted with a utility project, companies often dig into their archives to provide a detailed examination of previously marked underground utilities in a given area.

Therefore, reducing the duration and complexity of the project and avoiding costly re-routing. Utility locating is a critical phase of any construction project that ensures that construction materials, labor, and effort are not wasted.

You Want to Avoid Damaging Existing Lines

The right utility company should provide services to mark any buried utilities, tanks, or private lines if they own them. Still, it’s hard to miss all the utility-marking flags and spray-painted markings in your yard.

Digging into an unmarked service can cause severe damage and cost you a lot of money to repair. Utilities can be expensive to repair and replacing them isn’t always the right choice.

That’s why it’s helpful to pay for a professional and save yourself time and money in the long run.

You Want to Prevent Accidents and Injuries

To prevent accidents from happening below the surface, you should dig with a private utility locating company. This way, your crew will dig without any worries about hitting underground wires or any other kinds of buried lines.

After being marked out and fully understood, you can move forward to the latter stages of the project.

You Need Dependable Information

The most cost-effective and dependable way to locate underground utilities is to let a utility locating service provider do the work for you.

A professional utility locating service provider employs one of the most effective methods for determining where your lines may be located. First, information regarding the lot’s construction and ownership is obtained.

This information must coincide with the ownership records on file with the appropriate governing authorities. With access to these records, any unknown utility lines or service connections can easily be determined.

Thus, plans can then be made for the locating service provider to complete the actual fieldwork and locate and mark underground utility lines. Helping to alleviate and take the guesswork out of the process, therefore, lending peace of mind and accuracy when excavation projects begin!

What Equipment is Used for Potholing Utilities?

State-of-the-art equipment such as electronic or radio frequency (RF) pipes, electromagnetic devices, cable locating tools, and ground-penetrating radar (GPR) is used for potholing utilities in order to perform a thorough investigation of the area.

In the end, this procedure can produce complete, high-quality utility maps of where current and abandoned lines run.

Levels of Utility Location

Since the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) guidelines were developed in 2003, many agencies have adopted these standards for obtaining utility information.

The four levels of utility information are D, C, B, and A. Level D is the least accurate and represents unknowing or unsubstantiated attribute data that is not suitable for use in design or construction activities.

Level A provides a complete and efficient collection of multiple attribute data points using the highest accuracy-producing attribute probing equipment available.

Level D

A level D site plan is the most basic level of information for utility locations. It includes information obtained from on-site observation inclusive of templates and layout of existing utilities.

Level C

The Level C report is intended for utility asset owners who require a thorough examination of the site to identify utilities. It incorporates the Level D research and adds field examinations, typically at a much-reduced distance from the existing facilities.

Thus, capture any exposure that remains hidden from a distance.

Level B

The Level B survey depicts the utility layout in the vicinity of a facility and is used in conjunction with geographic information system (GIS) mapping and utility information to assist in assessments and readiness.

Level B represents a basic horizontal and vertical picture of utility coverage in a vicinity, based on available public records and site-specific knowledge obtained from hiring a private utility company with level C and D information.

Level A

In Level A, conclusions are drawn from Level D, C, and B investigations, where the locations were deemed suitable for a utility company to install a service.

Then a letter of notification from a professional land surveyor is sent to a landowner indicating the utility company’s intent to apply for a permit to have access to their property.

Get the Help You Need Today

At Util-Locate, we specialize in underground utility locating utilizing the latest equipment and technology to make sure you know the location of every utility before any excavation work.

Whether it be a water service line, fiber optics, natural gas line, or other utilities on your property, we have the experience and expertise to locate them with GPS precision.

All of our locating technicians are motivated and knowledgeable with years of experience using multiple technologies. We have a diverse fleet of modern equipment that allows us to perform efficient locations over a vast area. For any utility location services, call us at Util-Locate today.

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.

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

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

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!

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