Underground services are vital in private and public construction for engineers, homeowners, and government officials working on public infrastructure, private residences, powering homes, managing waste, delivering clean water, and more. For construction professionals and excavators, understanding these hidden networks is essential for maintaining functionality and ensuring safety during excavation or construction.
Without precise and accurate knowledge of underground utilities, they pose dangers to workers and risk setting back work schedules and project timelines. Below is a list of the underground services all construction and excavator professionals should be looking for.
Electrical Lines
Electricity distribution networks form the backbone of modern living. These underground lines provide the energy that residential homes, commercial projects, and industrial facilities need to function. Identifying electricity cables before embarking on any excavation project is critical to preventing accidental outages or serious safety hazards.
Damage to live wires could result in costly fines, delays, or even injuries. Hence, proper utility locating services are indispensable to ensure these systems remain undisturbed during construction.
Gas and Oil Pipelines
Perhaps the most important underground service you should be looking for before you start digging are gas and oil pipelines. Natural gas and oil pipelines provide critical energy supply for heating, cooking, and industrial purposes.
Any damage to these high-pressure pipelines could lead to hazardous scenarios for workers and the surrounding community, including explosions or gas leaks. Professional utility detection ensures that construction activities do not interfere with these sensitive and potentially dangerous networks, creating a safe environment.
Water Pipes
Identifying water lines before digging is crucial to prevent costly and dangerous accidents. Water lines supply clean water to homes and businesses, and damaging them can cause service disruptions, water waste, and expensive repairs. Striking a water line can also cause flooding, property damage, and safety risks for workers on-site.
By accurately locating water lines before starting any construction or excavation, you can ensure the project runs smoothly, avoid legal liabilities, and maintain the integrity of essential infrastructure. Proper planning safeguards both the environment and the community relying on these critical systems.
Telecommunications
Telecommunications services, including fiber-optic cables, phone lines, and broadband networks, crisscross underground to ensure their protection. Excessive reliance on reliable communication makes these systems invaluable, particularly in residential and commercial settings.
As telecommunications lines are crucial for internet connectivity, any damage to these underground services can result in interrupted workflows or severed communication lines. Being aware of their precise location enables seamless project development and uninterrupted connectivity.
Fire Service Lines
Underground fire service networks form an integral layer of safety in communities. These pipelines supply water to fire hydrants and sprinkler systems, offering critical emergency response functionality.
Construction projects must safeguard these connections to preserve their reliability in emergencies. Disrupting fire service lines can severely impair the safety of public and private spaces, leaving communities vulnerable. Appropriate utility detection prioritizes these vital services to prevent devastating consequences.
Traffic and Streetlights
Traffic signals and streetlights help keep our streets safe for drivers and pedestrians, especially at night. If an excavator were to dig into one of these public safety infrastructure lines, the damage risks the safety of the entire surrounding neighborhood—not to mention the potential electrocution of workers. By accurately mapping and marking these underground utilities, construction professionals can help maintain the safety and functionality of public spaces.
Storm Drains and Water Mains
Flood prevention begins with effective stormwater management. Storm drains and water mains mitigate water accumulation during heavy rainfall, safeguarding roads and properties from flooding.
These systems also ensure a consistent supply of clean water for daily use. Locating storm drains and water mains minimizes potential disruptions to these networks during groundwork and ensures the preservation of essential services like potable water access.
MPL's Utility Detection Services
To address these safety and operational concerns, Mason Private Locating (MPL) offers a robust suite of detection and inspection services for underground utilities. Our expert private utility locators and sophisticated, state-of-the-art equipment ensure accuracy in locating and marking utilities for both private and commercial clients.
Keep reading to learn more about the services our locators provide for excavators and construction professionals, including our thorough utility locating process, ground penetrating radar, and utility mapping.
MPL's 5-Step Private Utility Locating Process
The core of MPL's services is our private utility locating. Our team of locators follows a rigorous and thorough 5-step process to ensure the identification and mapping of all known and unknown utilities within a work site. Our process is as follows:
- Site Walk (Visual Site Scan) - MPL begins by conducting a thorough visual inspection of the site, gathering details about the project, property specifics, and any known utilities to establish a clear plan.
- Find & Verify Known Utilities - Using surface-level indicators (valves, meters, etc.), the team identifies and verifies any existing, known utilities.
- Find & Identify Unknown Utilities - Our team then employs advanced electromagnetic passive and induction scans to locate and identify any underground utilities that are not immediately apparent.
- Find Anomalies Underground - We utilize ground-penetrating radar (GPR) to detect and map any subsurface anomalies, including utilities and other buried elements.
- Documentation - Upon completion of all locating, we compile job notes, site sketches, photographs, and GPR trail images, and deliver to our clients a comprehensive utility map and report to support safe and accurate project planning.
Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR)
Using advanced technology, MPL's GPR service identifies utility lines and subsurface materials without invasive procedures. Trusted for its precision, this service is especially effective for identifying non-metallic utilities like PVC piping.
Utility Mapping
At MPL, we can create highly accurate and precise utility maps to give construction teams clear insights into existing underground services. This professional mapping prevents costly errors and enhances project planning with complete visibility into subsurface infrastructure.
Sub-Surface Utility Engineering (SUE) Services
SUE is a process to locate, analyze, and map underground utility systems, reducing risks during construction projects. It involves techniques like data collection, conflict analysis, and providing actionable insights to prevent costly mistakes.
At MPL, we deliver precise and accurate SUE services, combining advanced technology and expertise to ensure reliable utility system analysis and informed recommendations for successful project outcomes.
Vacuum Excavation
Vacuum excavation is a non-invasive digging method that uses air or water pressure to safely break up soil and then remove via vacuum. This technique allows constructors and excavators to expose underground utilities like pipes and cables without causing damage. By minimizing the risk of utility strikes and reducing soil disruption, vacuum excavation ensures safer, more efficient projects while being environmentally friendly.
Secure Your Excavation Site with MPL Services
As you can see, there are many things that construction professionals must be aware of underneath their digging and work site before they begin their project. At MPL, our technicians undergo rigorous training to ensure top-notch accuracy, and our services prioritize efficiency and safety. With centuries of combined experience, MPL's team works collaboratively with clients to deliver timely results without compromising quality standards.
By partnering with MPL, excavators can ensure precise utility detection and preserve the integrity of these essential connections. For inspections, maintenance, or utility mapping, place your trust in MPL—the experts in underground infrastructure.
