Avoid Excavation Hazards and Utility Strikes, Call the Potholing Experts

why utility potholing is essential

It is well known that construction sites are inherently dangerous and there are a lot of risks that go along with excavating earth. Although it is tempting to choose the cheapest or least time-consuming option to get the job done, such choices can lead to expensive disasters down the line. Utility potholing uses vacuum excavation technology in order to carefully and efficiently locate all underground utility lines without damaging them.

Utility potholing is an excellent option for most construction projects and will likely save you and your crew both time and money. Using a professional team will ensure that your construction site is excavated properly and as quickly as possible. While potholing is an investment, it will ensure that you avoid extensive damage and expensive repairs or fines.

Keep reading to learn how vacuum excavation can help your construction project run smoothly without the risk of utility strikes.

Other Tools Don’t Cut It

When you compare potholing to the other tools available, it becomes quickly obvious that professional potholing is the best choice.

Those with smaller construction sites often think that excavating the land by hand is the best option because it is so inexpensive. However, digging with hand tools like shovels and trowels requires grueling physical labor. Depending on the site, it can also take many days to complete. The contractor might want the work completed by a certain deadline and it just isn’t possible to know exactly how long excavating by hand will take.

While hand tools might not cause damage to utility lines, it isn’t recommended that you use this time-intensive and exhausting method.

Read More: What You Need to Know About Potholing for Utilities

Meanwhile, you might also consider renting a backhoe because they are generally considered an affordable and efficient method. However, it is incredibly difficult to use finesse with a backhoe, which means there is a much greater chance of striking a utility line. This is a fine option if you are certain there are no live utility lines under the land but should be avoided otherwise.

If you do opt for a backhoe, remember to employ an experienced spotter who will help guide the equipment and avoid utility lines. Even so, the risk to utility lines is far greater than it would be with vacuum excavation.

How Potholing Works

Potholing works to carefully excavate a construction site through the use of air or water pressure.

Air or water is gently, but firmly, push through the earth so that the locations of utility lines can be discovered without physically touching them. Even better, the use of an air jet allows the earth to be stored and reused at a later time in the construction process. While this cannot be done with a hydro jet, both are great options for keeping your construction site safe.

Potholing is an effective method that involves clearing the earth away from utility lines. It is also time-efficient and cost-effective. When used properly, vacuum excavation is the best method available for any construction project.

Safety Precautions

As with any construction equipment or machinery, safety measures must be taken to ensure the well-being of your crew.

You will still need to plan ahead of time to fully understand how to vacuum excavate the property. For instance, you should call all relevant third parties who have knowledge of the construction site. These third parties may have information concerning utility lines, which will assist you during the excavation.

It is always safer to choose a professional, experienced team. These professionals understand the delicate excavation process and will be much faster and more skilled than an untrained worker.

A professional team will also understand the importance of inspecting the area beforehand. This involves creating a small hole through which the professional can explore the underground area. RADAR or digital technology doesn’t compare to visual verification of what is underground. Damage to underground utilities can result in unexpected expenses from repairs or fines.

Usually, these fines occur if the damage disrupts access to utilities for those living and working in the surrounding area. It is important to respect the local community and do everything possible to ensure the construction is safe and takes necessary precautions.

Read More: Potholing Utilities for A Cost-Efficient and Safer Excavation

When in Doubt, Seek Help

If you are in doubt about how to excavate your construction site, it is advised that you choose potholing. Vacuum excavation is an advanced technique that, when carried out by an expert, is both safe and efficient.

By opting for potholing, you avoid the risk of striking a utility line, which could severely impact the overall success of the construction project.

Not only will a professional team be able to understand the needs of your project, but they will carry out the work without putting workers’ health and well-being at risk, as well as protecting the land itself. See private utility locating companies near me.

General Tips for Locating Underground Utilities

 

When you are looking for any type of underground infrastructure, from sewer lines to fiber optic cables, the most important aspect of your search is having complete accuracy in order to find them.  In order to have accuracy, the city can be of assistance to find out about main water lines, along with using the right equipment above ground.  After definitive infrastructures have been established they have to be inspected and then checked continuously throughout the excavation process to be sure there is no guesswork involved in properly completing the job.  Here are four tips to assist when locating underground utilities. Read more about underground utility locating services california

  1. For Residential Areas – Map the Entire House to the Main Line

Since everything is underground, this information is usually available online in most city areas with city website maps or some cities will redirect you to the local department of water and power.  For more rural areas, the information above in the first tip will likely be of assistance.  For example, in the city of Los Angeles, a map shows the sewer system main lines and the direction it flows throughout most areas of the city.  An important piece of information that will need to be determined is how long and deep the property line connection is to your home.  This can be determined from a city utility map or perhaps by calling 811.  

  1.  Determine Where Excavation Should Begin and End Plus Obstacles

Before any action is taken to dig, all work completed will depend on your location whether it be rural or urban.  If your repair is rural, you will likely have fewer obstacles in your way such as neighbors driveways, sidewalks, etc.  However, if your location is urban, this is something to be on the lookout for when trenching.  The first process of mapping out the area is so key that it can take a bit of time.  It is good to remember that the sooner you can map out the right spot to dig, the sooner you can get on with the process of inspecting and then trenching which also can take time to complete.

  1. Look For A Utility Location Service That Has The Right Tools

If you are looking for complete accuracy in finding the underground utilities in your area, there are usually utility location service companies that can also find out for you depending on where you are located.  These companies have the right electromagnetic location equipment to avoid any risks in the excavation process.  Without the right tools, it is complete guesswork to try and find out where the lines are located underground.  There have been great advancements in technology that will help prevent unexpected collisions with existing lines below ground.  All knowledge is acquired above ground with electromagnetic equipment or ground penetrating radar that takes measurements through many of earth’s surfaces.

All in all, the main reason why accuracy is so important in finding utility lines underground is that you do not want to cause an environmental hazard for yourself, family, neighbors, or the city.  Once a major mistake is made it is not always easy to repair and the results of a minor one can be a disaster for many people.  It is best to hire a professional that has experience performing this type of work, fact-checking, and a general knowledge of utility lines in the area.    

Related page: what is potholing • underground utilities locator