When Should You Call A Private Utility Locator
Public vs. Private Utilities: A Distinct Divide
A brief comprehension of public and private utilities is crucial in order to understand why exactly private utility locators are significant. Public utility companies are those companies that own and operate public utilities like power companies, communication companies, water companies, and gas and sewer companies, among others. 811 services are helpful for locating public utilities; however, public utilities represent only 40% of the utilities in most work areas. Private utility locators are required to locate private utilities. Private utilities can include telecommunications, internet, fiber optics, natural gas, water, sewer, electric, and the list goes on.
811 services usually paint right up to the meter base or, in some cases, stop their marks on the private property line. Public locators are restricted from marking private utilities; this is why it is necessary to engage private utility locators to identify utilities below the earth’s surface.
Unraveling the Limitations of Public Utility Locators
Most public utility companies have utility records of public utilities. More than 50% of utilities are privately owned and don’t have records, so, for record purposes, it would be wise to hire a private utility locating company to work on mapping all the utilities on your property, despite the appropriateness of 811 services to aid in ascertaining the presence of public utilities, private utility locating services are still vital.
Most of the time, public locators only employ electromagnetic transmitters and receivers; hence, they are only capable of marking utilities that are either metallic or conductible. If one has a need for a utility that is not metal or conductive it is advised that one hire a private locate company to use a better service type such as ground penetrating radar, acoustic detection, video pipe inspections, etc.
Bear it in mind that most private utilities situated on private lands are not depicted on maps or drawings, and people owning that property are frequently unaware of them. Hence, private utility locators are useful in offering a complete map of the sub-surface and mitigating hazards that emanate from other obstructions that might be experienced during construction.
Consequences of Hitting Private Utility Lines: A Grave Reality
Drawings might have severe consequences if private utilities are not comprehended well enough. Striking a private utility line may damage both the private utilities and the excavation equipment, not forgetting the possibility of encountering injuries or fatalities. Besides consuming a lot of time and money to repair, these utilities often need the excavation of the entire cable, conduit, or pipe.
Utility strikes can affect other systems and cause issues such as localized flooding and internet outages. Such incidences as gas main explosions or oil pipeline leakage are examples of the disastrous consequences of striking private utility lines. It is, however, important to note that private utility locators help avoid such circumstances.
Consequences of Hitting Private Utility Lines: A Grave Reality
Utility strikes can affect other systems and cause issues such as localized flooding and internet outages. Such incidences as gas main explosions or oil pipeline leakage are examples of the disastrous consequences of striking private utility lines. It is, however, important to note that private utility locators help avoid such circumstances.
Revealing How Private Utility Locating Works
Any contractors or homeowners planning to dig or design their projects should employ private utility locating services first. Private locators decrease the prospects of building construction complications due to the previous demarcation of the positions and depth of bulk utilities.
Can a Private Utility Locator Find Everything?
It is pertinent to remember the fact that there is no service that does not have its limits. Currently, there is no locating company that can guarantee it will locate every utility in an area. Restrictions such as limited access points/no access points, common grounding, signal distortion, high conductivity in soils, high dielectrics in soils, traffic, noise, and many others make signal, visual, or acoustic readings of a utility almost utterly impossible. Sometimes, such types of utilities may be exposed while digging or conducting other earthwork.
Yet, private utility locators provide a comprehensive sweep of the area and dramatically reduce the likelihood of being surprised by something. Such a measure may be useful to prevent possible problems during construction for homeowners or contractors.
Requesting a Quote from a Private Utility Locator
You can contact a representative at C-N-I Locates Ltd to obtain a rough cost estimate, and certain information must be provided. To receive an estimate, the following information is essential:
- Location Address: Indicate the project’s precise location.
- Service Type(s) Required: Clearly state the kind of utility location service(s) necessary.
- Number of Proposed Locations: Indicate the number of sites that will be assessed.
- Estimated Area Size: State how many square feet or lineal feet the project will be.
- Intended Type of Work: Indicate the nature of the work that will be carried out at the site.
- Type of Facility: State if this project is commercial, residential, or industrial.
- As-Builts, Plot & Site Plans: Send over any site plans that are accessible.
- Add Google Earth satellite photos with the work area(s) outlined in red.
- Pictures & Details of Unusual Features: Call attention to any oddities or problems.
- Drawing the Targeted Areas: Clearly define the areas needing assessment.
- Access Points & Authorization: Let us know where any access points or termination points are located, and let us know if we have permission to access those areas.
- More information may be needed depending on the services that are required and your scope of work.
The Role of a GPR Utility Locator
Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is one of the essential methods of subsurface utility locating. GPR does not produce any radiation that is lethal, and it can detect utilities, objects, voids, structures, and more beneath the surface and in concrete slabs/structures.
Benefits of GPR
- Accurate Locates and Depths: GPR can pinpoint the center location and assess the depth of metallic and non-metallic utilities/objects in the ground and in concrete.
- Non-Destructive Examination: GPR is a noninvasive procedure.
- No Health Hazards: GPR doesn’t emit any harmful radiation.
- Quiet Operation: GPR doesn’t make any loud noises.
- Cost-effective: Using GPR before performing subsurface work reduces the chance of striking a utility, minimizing repair and downtime costs.
- Instant Results: GPR provides instant data.
Addressing Common Concerns: Can GPR Find Everything?
Nevertheless, GPR holds its position as one of the essential methods of utility location despite these weaknesses. It is more favorable in many cases because of its features, such as utility tracing of metallic and non-metallic utilities; it offers precise positions and depths and performs a non-destructive examination.
The Economic Impact of GPR: A Cost-Effective Solution
GPR can increase safety to avoid hazardous situations. Even in the long-term non-financial contexts, this strategy is cost-efficient. It safeguards against judgments, costs associated with damages and delays, and slow and steady deterioration of a contractor’s reputation.
Embracing GPR to Identify Dangers Early On
GPR is used in utility locates and can be used as a preventative measure for hazards before engaging in subsurface tasks. This helps in risk reduction as well as strategic planning since issues are likely to arise before the beginning of subsurface work is performed. GPR can discover visuals of subsurface anomalies like voids. GPR can also find utilities and other items that the contractors had no knowledge of prior to beginning any work below the surface.
The application of GPR to determine the risks at the initial stage gives the homeowner and contractors an opportunity to make sound decisions, update the project plan if needed, and increase the level of project safety as well as the chances of a successful project.
Fast, Reliable Diagnosis of Problems with GPR
Delays in utility construction can further affect other associated work and can also have a huge impact on the project’s financial status. Thus, real-time data by employing GPR for problem identification is faster and less erroneous.
Essentially, GPR is helpful for construction industry specialists who want easy and time-saving processes due to its fast and precise method. The uses of GPR enhance the operational efficiency of constructions by providing the effective location of the utilities and any problems that may exist before they worsen.
C-N-I LOCATES LTD: Your Trusted Partner in Utility Locating
C-N-I Locates Ltd understands how crucial it is for the success of building projects to have accurate information about utilities.
Why Choose C-N-I LOCATES LTD?
- Experience: C-N-I Locates Ltd has 23 years of experience in utility locating. Thus, it has earned the respect of business managers and residents, achieving the necessary result in complex work.
- Expertise: C-N-I Locates Ltd technicians have adequate training and education, and their field experience is in utility locating. Their knowledge ensures accurate results.
- Cutting-Edge Technology: To boost the outcomes of utility detecting and inspection, C-N-I Locates Ltd applies modern technologies.
- Proactive Approach: C-N-I Locates Ltd works differently from other utility locating companies. Our technicians communicate with clients to identify any problems with utilities before excavation is commenced.
- Economical Solutions: C-N-I Locates Ltd offers cost-effective services that transform from being mere monetary concerns to simply not damaging the current utilities.
- Simplicity: C-N-I Locates Ltd tries to make things easy for the customers, whether they are homeowners or contractors, and this is why simplicity is embraced while developing the utility locating process.
- Timeline: C-N-I Locates Ltd provides services within 24 hours’ notice, Monday through Friday.
- Safety: C-N-I Locates Ltd improves safety and reduces losses within time, risk, and organizational costs for the company.
- Proven Track Record: The services of C-N-I Locates Ltd have a success rate of over 99%, performing accurate utility locates without subsurface damage.
Conclusion
It depends on how meticulously engineers plan utilities in advance, if a building project will prove to be successful or not. Public utility locators are helpful for public utilities; however, more than 50% of utilities are private and need a private utility locating company. Nowadays, private utility locates rank among the most critical experiences. The potential of suffering terrible mishaps due to the presence of utilities while digging casts a different perspective completely on the need for modern private utility locators. The importance of GPR as a reliable and efficient instrument includes: it is capable of providing accurate areas of penetration; testing is done without having to destroy the area of interest; and relatively cheap and safe testing.
The selection of a competent private utility locating service provider is essential. Leverage C-N-I Locates Ltd.’s years of experience and technological know-how to quickly and easily locate utilities. For the price and consultation, it is recommended to turn to C-N-I Locates Ltd today. C-N-I Locates Ltd provides dependable assessing and anticipatory risk elimination – it stands as the partner that you need to make certain your projects can be accomplished securely.
C-N-I Locates Ltd Washington State Field Offices and Contact Information
For any inquiries, feel free to reach out to us at (253) 826-1177, drop us an email at [email protected], or conveniently schedule a work request/estimate directly on our website. To provide a seamless experience, we require just 24 hours’ notice, Monday through Friday, to schedule an appointment for the following business day. Your convenience and prompt service are our top priorities.
Everett, Washington Field Office (425)407-9400
Renton, Washington Field Office (425)407-9399
Seattle, Washington Field Office (206)681-0034
Tacoma, Washington Field Office (253)831-6350
