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What are The Common Underground Utility Location Methods?

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Colorado Locates
What are The Common Underground Utility Location Methods?

Before undertaking any excavation work, locating underground cables and pipes is crucial to preserving the safety of workers. Damaging utility lines can cause interruptions in services to people living around. As the ground around us has more utility lines, it’s essential to identify their location before performing any construction work.


To successfully execute, you need to connect with a trusted private utility locating company in Denver. A one-call contractor will visit the location and mark the specific area of available utilities. This will typically give you a good idea of the existing underground utilities.



Check out the most common methods to locate underground utilities so that excavators can have the safety and security they need to dig hassle-free.


  • Electromagnetic Utility Locating


It is the most common method for detecting buried utilities below the ground surface. Through this method, an expert use tools that emit electromagnetic radio frequency, so as to detect the utilities buried underneath.


And a receiver can locate any buried utility with conductive material while scanning. This is commonly used to check an underground gas line locating service in Colorado. In addition, this method is used to find cable, water, irrigation lines, and propane, among other things.




  • Ground-Penetrating Radar


GPR is used for the subsurface buried utility that has high-frequency pulses. By using this method, radio waves are sent into the ground; any utility found underground will reflect the radio waves up to the surface. Ground-Penetrating Radar is usually used to detect tanks, manholes, and buried pipes, among other buried things.


  • Hydro Evacuation


It is another common method for locating buried utility lines and uses high-pressure water to find buried water, sewer pipes, and underground power cables. A private utility locating company in Denver has experienced employees to execute this task. The time- tested method uses a high-pressure water jet to excavate around the pipe or cable to find it.


The water jet is then flushed away the excavated material, exposing the buried pipe or cable. Hydro evacuation is the best method for locating underground utilities because it gives the most accurate results.


Note: Based on the inspection & The American Public Works Association (APWA), color codes include:



  • Red – Electric
  • Yellow – Gas/Oil
  • Orange – Communications/CATV
  • Blue – Potable Water
  • Purple – Reclaimed Water
  • Green – Sewer
  • Pink – Temporary Survey Markings
  • White – Proposed Excavation


  • Multisensory Technologies


Multisensory technologies are a combination of multiple sensors working together to provide results. These technologies can be two or more sensors of the same technology and the application of numerous sensors from two different technologies. Primarily used combinations are multichannel GPR and GPR working.


The Bottom Line



When you know different utility locating methods, it becomes easier to choose the best method for underground gas line locating service in Colorado. If you are looking for a safe, precise, and non-destructive way to find utilities, consult the best service provider in Denver. In addition, to avoid any penalty for damaging utility lines, schedule a meeting with utility locator service before starting any construction work.


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