How to locate underground utilites?

Question

How do construction companies make sure they don't hit buried wires and pipes?

Answer 1

..."Every state has different rules and regulations governing digging, some stricter than others. In addition, 62 separate One Call Centers serve different areas of the country; now 811 will connect you directly to your local one call center..."

There are a couple ways that utilities do this. they will do it for free at your home also-better than digging into a line.

Call 811 and they connect you to your local One Call System

Answer 2

federal law and states laws mandate any contractor must make a call to the area one-call system.  Then the underground utilty companies must respond and mark thier lines.

Most common systems use a sophisticated metal detector or they will connect to the line somewhere and put a pulsed current on the line and follow the pulsed electric field.

In 30 years, I've never seen a utility company with a radar system to find their own lines.

Answer 3

Ground penetrating radars can be used.

Thanks.

Answer 4

In Connecticut, there is an 800 number to call that coordinates the utility companies to come out to the site and mark them out with paint or flags.  Generally in roads only.

There are also utility mark out companies that use a variety of methods to locate these utilities including ground penetrating radar as noted above.