Before the start of any project, construction or excavation, it is advisable to perform a utility location on the site. This is the first step to do if you are planning a project that will require digging into the ground.
Hiring professionals to map underground utilities will speed up the construction project. You no longer have to dig carefully and slowly. It is always better to prevent a problem from occurring than to manage it. We are able to see, locate and identify the type of utility on the ground, using advanced methods. There are several reasons utility locating should be done prior to any project. All aim to deliver time, money and security:
• Location of utility lines for further planning
• Prevention of interruptions during work
• Avoid repair costs…
Except for underground utility identification, you’ll get complete coverage of your storage tanks, gas lines and voids. You’ll want to scan for any hazardous material in the ground, which could be harmful to anyone digging. Having a full coverage package means there is no need to worry anymore.
Do you know that some of the utility lines can be rerouted or put in a different location? Many of them may be old or no longer effective. So you need to replace those old utility lines with new ones. This can be done by a utility company that has a lot of experience in the field.
Water and utility lines may not cause more damage than power lines. However, the interruption will be the same. This will lead to more delays, repair costs and legal consequences. Electromagnetic equipment is used to detect signals below the ground. Power lines can be detected at any time, regardless of the season. This is not a case for identifying water lines because they sometimes require a combination of different methods: electromagnetic method or ground penetrating radar (GPR) or both. This radar uses a high-frequency radio signal that is transmitted to the ground, and then the signals return to the recipient in digital form.
During construction excavation, it is best practice to locate utilities before starting. Damaging any critical utility such as water and power lines or gas lines during construction is costly and most likely dangerous. Just think that something as simple as digging a hole to plant a tree has the potential to damage property or even cause loss of life.