Two Different Utility Locating Techniques

Utility locating shouldn’t be left to chance. The fact is that your safety and the safety of others are at stake. In the long run, utility locating can save you time and money—it’s a smart idea. There are many variables to consider when deciding which utility locating technique in Rosevills, CA to use—for example, whether it’s a public or private utility, what kind of utility is being located and how far below the surface the utility is.

It’s worth keeping in mind that a high-quality utility contractor will be able to help you determine which technique you should use. In this post we’ll take a look at two of the most common approaches: ground penetrating radar and potholing.

Pros and cons of ground penetrating radar (GPR)

This technique was first developed in the 1930s. It involves using a control unit with an antenna and works in a similar fashion to seismology. GPR does this by sending energy pulses into the earth, then recording the signal and determining what’s located below.

GPR does not involve destroying the earth or displacing soil. Therefore, those who prefer an environmentally friendly approach to utility location are more likely to use it. However, it is not capable of penetrating more dense forms of soil, such as clay.

On the other hand, it’s particularly adept at spotting buried objects like rocks, gravesites and non-metallic pipes. These items may not respond to other forms of electromagnetic location, so this can be useful if you think there may be impediments to the utility placement.

Pros and cons of potholing

Potholing is sometimes also referred to as vacuum excavation. This is a good tool to use if you need to know the precise location of a utility and you need to be able to see it. Other techniques provide a general, approximate location of the utility.

This technique starts with a technician using tools to find the rough location of the utility. Then, vacuum excavation moves soil with water, which is transferred to a tank. This process ensures there is no damage to the utility while still finding its exact location, making it a better option than a backhoe.

This approach can be fairly fast, with a large pothole dug out in less than half an hour. The type of vacuum excavator you’ll use depends on the job. There are a variety of sizes and types of vacuum excavators available, depending on what they’re going to be used for.

Contact a top contractor for utility location

If you’re looking for an underground utility contractor to help with a variety of utility locating techniques in Roseville, CA, look no further than Es7 Comm-2 U, Inc. We’re a locally owned and operated company and are state-licensed, fully bonded and insured. We serve a variety of residential and commercial customers and are ready to help you on any project. Contact us today for a consultation and we can discuss underground utility locating or any of our other services. We look forward to serving you!

Categorised in: Utility Locating Techniques

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