Underground utilities are the crucial support systems of our communities that supply water, electricity, gas, telecom, and more. But when those lines are struck during excavation, the consequences can be serious. Property damage, costly delays, worker injury, and even life-threatening incidents are all very real risks. In many cases, these incidents come down to one […]
Under the surface of every city lies a complicated web of utilities: gas lines, electric cables, telecom conduits, water mains, and more, all packed tightly into limited underground space. These areas, often referred to as utility corridors, are among the most challenging environments for utility locating professionals. When multiple lines are buried close together, the […]
When it comes to utility locating, short side services, inserted lines, and unenergized power lines present some of the toughest challenges in the field. These utilities can be difficult to detect using conventional equipment, which often leads to unnecessary risks and delays on the job site. It’s more important than ever to equip your team […]
Every construction project, every landscaping job, every municipal repair carries with it an invisible threat that some can underestimate. Beneath the ground’s surface lies a complex network of utilities – a labyrinth of pipes, cables, and conduits that can transform a routine dig into a catastrophic event in mere seconds. As we move further into […]
As we’re already now to the holidays, we’re reminded that spring will be here before we know it. For home and business owners, this means updating their properties with new landscaping and season-appropriate flowers for an inviting look to all visitors. Springtime is a popular time to start landscaping projects since in many parts of […]
As an excavator or utility locator, you understand the importance of accurately identifying underground infrastructure to prevent costly and dangerous strikes. However, some utilities can be notoriously difficult to locate, putting your crew and the public at risk. Buried utilities come in a variety of materials, sizes, and depths, each presenting unique locating challenges. Older, […]
Trench safety is a critical concern in construction and excavation work. Understanding and implementing proper safety measures like well-maintained equipment can literally save lives. The Weight of the Matter Did you know that a single cubic yard of soil can weigh as much as a car? This immense weight makes trench collapses one of the […]
PERFORMING THE PIPEHORN SAFETY SWEEP Performing a sweep of an area with a Pipehorn is helpful when you need to quickly find all conductors in the area. It is useful to do this before digging in an area just to be sure there are no conductors that were missed during the locate. One person holds […]
ISOLATING LINES AND NULLING OUT ADJACENT CONDUCTORS The trick is to maximize the signal on the target while minimizing the signal applied to any adjacent conductors. Below are a few of many techniques that can get you through some tough spots. If they don’t work for you, give us a call at 800-952-3710. We can […]
PROPER PINPOINTING To properly pinpoint a pipe or conductor using a Pipehorn pipe and cable locator, you want to hear the signal fall off on both sides of the conductor. You will either get a balanced signal, meaning it falls off evenly on both sides of the strongest signal; or an un-balanced signal, meaning it […]
