Avoid Costly Repairs: How To Find Underground Utilities

How To Find Underground Utilities Before Excavating

• Contact Your Local Utility Notification Service - Most regions have a “call before you dig” or “one call” center that connects you with utility companies. Once notified, they send trained technicians to mark the location of underground lines using paint or flags. This service is often free and is one of the fastest ways to get accurate information.
  
  
• Hire a Professional Utility Locator - For excavation sites with complex layouts or multiple buried systems, hiring a professional utility locator is essential. These specialists use tools such as ground-penetrating radar and electromagnetic detection devices to identify utilities that may not be marked on public records.
  
  
• Review Site Plans and Utility Maps - Before digging, gather as many documents as possible from property records, municipalities, and utility providers. Reviewing these maps alongside current site surveys gives you a clearer picture of potential hazards beneath the excavation zone.
  
  
• Inspect the Surface for Clues - Sometimes the ground offers signs of what lies beneath. Look for access covers, vent pipes, valve boxes, or small utility markers. These indicators can help confirm the location of underground infrastructure before you bring in excavation machinery.
  
  
• Use Test Holes and Hand Tools for Verification - Once utilities are marked, verify their location by digging small test holes with shovels or vacuum excavation equipment. This step helps confirm depths and prevents damage when heavy equipment is introduced to the site.
  
  
• Mark Utility Locations Clearly on the Site - After identification, use bright paint or flags to mark the utilities so that they are visible to all workers. Keep a record of these markings for future excavation work in the same area.
  
  
• Schedule Utility Detection Early in the Project - Utility locating should be one of the first steps in your excavation plan. Early detection allows you to adjust your digging strategy and avoid delays once the work is underway.
  
  
• Account for Seasonal Changes in the Ground - Weather conditions and seasonal shifts can affect soil levels and visibility of utility markings. Before starting excavation in areas prone to frost, heavy rains, or shifting soil, re-check utility locations. This step ensures that your information is current and prevents unexpected discoveries during digging.
  
  

Why Utility Locating Is Essential for Safe Excavation