When you need to locate the buried utility lines on your property, your first call will typically be to 8-1-1. This number connects you to the free service, funded largely by the utility companies, that will come out to your property and locate any public utility lines.
The utility locators with the 8-1-1 program typically use what is referred to as a “locating wand” when scanning the ground for buried utility lines. This wand uses electromagnetic induction (EMI) to find unseen metallic items like cables and pipes without having to disturb the surface of the ground. The transmitter portion of the system sends a low-frequency radio signal into the ground, and the receiver, or wand, detects the electromagnetic field that is created when the signal comes in contact with a buried utility.
The Limitations of Locating Wands
Locating wands are fairly accurate when it comes to locating lines made from conductive materials, but issues can arise when trying to locate things like plastic or concrete pipes that don’t have a metallic tracer wire. Locating wands can also struggle to accurately locate metal pipes that have corroded. In addition, when utility lines are stacked on top of each other, locating wands can’t always differentiate between them.
These limitations, along with certain environmental conditions that can affect the results, can make locating wands less effective at underground scanning when compared to other tools. If you are going to undertake a project that requires you to have a very accurate picture of what is located below the ground’s surface before you begin, the free underground scan completed by the 8-1-1 service using a utility wand may not be adequate.
Another Option for Accurate Underground Scanning
So, what is a property owner to do? A great option is to work with a private underground scanning company that uses locating tools other than just a locating wand. One common technology is ground penetrating radar (GPR). GPR is effective at finding many different types of buried utilities, as well as other potential unseen hazards, such as voids in the ground or changes in the soil composition. A private scanning company will also find buried utilities, other than those owned by the public utility companies. Examples include septic systems, well water systems, and irrigation lines.
Unlike the 8-1-1 service, there is typically not a long wait time for a private utility locating service to come out to your property. So, if your project is on a tight timeline, paying for underground scanning could be your best option to keep things moving forward.
If you are in the Southern California area, an underground scanning company like Enhanced Scanning can provide you with fast, reliable service with the accurate results you are looking for.
