Private Locating vs. Public Utility Marking: What’s the Difference?
Private Locating vs. Public Utility Marking: What’s the Difference?
If a planned construction or excavation venture is to commence, it is imperative to know what lies below the surface before proceeding. Most construction projects employ public utility marking, but today, more developers are turning to private utility locating to ensure accurate and comprehensive results. Are the two distinguishable, and why is private locating more available in projects of any size?
What Is Public Utility Marking?
Usually, utility companies provide free service to correctly identify and mark utilities, such as gas lines, electrical lines, communication cables or water mains. When you contract the service of 811, utility companies mark buried underground within a specified time frame to initiate your excavation. Health and safety are paramount in this regard along with compliance requirements, which are being satisfied through these utility-marking activities.
Public utility marking covers only public utilities such as water and sewer. Private lines and pipes remain unmarked. Unmarked lines include private electrical lines, irrigation systems, or sewer extensions from a building to the public main line. Commitment only to the public utility marking results in the exclusion of utility detection gaps on a site.
What Is Private Locating?
Drones have become more than an essential complementing element to locating services in the utility detection industry.
Unlike public utility mapping, private locating services delve into the arena of locating privately owned utilities left out by 811. The irrigation system, sewer service lines, building to outbuildings electric lines, and other non-public infrastructure belong to this category.
For the mapping of buried utilities anywhere on a site, advanced tools such as ground penetrating radar (GPR) and electromagnetic detection are used. Systems detection ensures that hidden systems, even one of the most complex ones, are identified to avoid accidental damages and expensive future repairs.
The benefits of private utility locating extend to more than just safety. It provides a detailed guide to the underground infrastructure of any plot, which is essential for project planning, preventing legal hindrances, and cutting down the possibility of hidden costs, apart from giving the developer, contractor, or property owner peace of mind.
Why Private Locating Services Are Essential
Public utility locating alone can leave wide gaps in utility detection. Private utilities not identified can lead to fatal accidents, substantial damages, and time delays. A Private locating company potentially offers elaborate directions detailing every buried utility, public or private, which ensures the jobs go on unhindered and peacefully.
Choose C-N-I Locates for Comprehensive Private Locating
At C-N-I Locates, we offer high-quality and cost-effective private locating services beyond public utility marking. Using advanced technology and vast experience, our skilled technicians work with precision to make sure no underground line stays hidden.
Contact us today for dependable locating services and to shield your project from surprises while ensuring a hassle-free construction experience!
