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How to locate underground services

Locating Underground Services Victoria

When it comes to ensuring safety, locating underground facilities prior to excavation is essential.

If you want to dig on a construction site or a modest project on your own property, you should know that it is required by law to locate all underground services before you begin. It is often possible to prevent severe damage by locating features like underground cables, pipes, and mains. Continue reading to learn more about what underground service location entails and how we can assist…

What are underground utilities?

Pipes, wires, cables, and other subterranean infrastructure are all examples of utilities which exist below the surface. Generally, there are several systems beneath the surface of the earth that provide access to utilities such as electricity, gas, water, communication, and sewage. It is very important that these systems are not damaged when digging for construction purposes. Damage to these services can create serious implications in numerous ways. Hitting an electric line, for example, can cause serious injury or even be fatal, while damage to communication lines can result in unnecessary cost and inconvenience. Furthermore, damaging underground utilities may result in a slew of legal difficulties as well as project delays and contractor penalties.

For these reasons, it is critical to map underground services before any digging begins.

What methods are used?

There are a variety of technologies available that can be used to detect subterranean utilities nowadays. These tools and equipment operate with pinpoint accuracy. Some of the most common tools include the ground penetrating radar (GPR) and electromagnetic location. Other tools used include frequency locators, magnetometers, cable locators, acoustic pipe location, and hydro vacuum excavation.

The use of GPR is minimally invasive as it does not involve any digging. With the use of GPR equipment, it is possible to detect a range of materials including PVC, plastic, clay, metal, gas and power lines, water systems, fibre optics and septic tanks. Before work begins, a two-dimensional picture of the subsurface is generated during GPR prospecting. This allows the relevant workers to get a good sense of the underground structure before they start digging in the ground.

The high-speed suction extraction of soil, on the other hand, is called hydro excavation. Hydro excavation is also extremely safe, non-invasive, and minimally destructive to underlying systems and utilities.

How can we help?

At Provac Victoria, we are able to detect underground utilities, cables, pipes and structures with expert precision using our top-of-the-range techniques and technology. With our assistance, it is possible for you to avoid damage or exposure of underground services that might be costly or even fatal.

Our team is experienced in the use of ground penetrating radar (GPR) and works with high-quality technology to detect underground utilities such as power lines, sewerage, water pipes and gas pipes. We also use this method to scan concrete for cables, electrical conduits and steel reinforcements. If you would like to find out more about our GPR services, please have a look here.

We also specialise in hydro vacuum excavation, which is a non-invasive, cost-effective, and precise technique for removing earth safely. We offer this service throughout Melbourne and beyond. If you’d like to learn more about our hydro vacuum excavation services and what they include, please have a look here.

If you’re ready to dig, but don’t know how to do it safely and securely, get in touch with us today. To find out more about our services, please have a look here.

If you would like to get in touch for more information or to request a quote, please contact us here or give us a call on 1300 734 772.

Our team is dedicated to assisting you in preventing damage to underground systems in order to achieve safe and cost-effective outcomes. We provide top-quality service and are available to provide you with all the information you need and to guide you through the process of safe and accurate excavation.

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Victoria Division

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