For the last two hundred years and more, all kinds of networks of pipes and utilities have been buried under our feet. It’s the perfect place for all the pipes that carry fresh water to and waste water from our homes and businesses. It’s an ideal place to put all of those utility lines like fiber optic, natural gas, and cable TV lines underground to keep them safe and out of sight. As new technology brings us newer, faster ways to transmit current, optics, etc. more lines are buried alongside older lines until there’s a veritable spider web of stuff down there. If one was to dig a hole today the odds would be much better for running into some underground something rather than not. That something you smack accidentally with your shovel or backhoe could have a disastrous effect. If it didn’t kill the digger outright with electrocution it could put neighborhood services out of commission for long enough that a lynching party could be formed in retaliation. At the least, there are repair costs and fines for that damage and disruption. This is why we have underground utility locating services. Before any digging is started for any purpose, accurate and complete sub-surfacing mapping needs to be done to identify what and where that underground stuff is so it can be avoided. Modern equipment like ground penetrating radar (GPR) is one method for doing this quickly and efficiently. Unlike using a metal detector, GPR isn’t limited to just detecting metal objects. The GPS equipment transmits high frequency sound that penetrates through the ground surface. Those sound waves bounce back up to the receiver to deliver information about the density and depth of pipes, cables, and anything else that lies under the surface. Underground utility mapping services are used by construction companies, utility companies, the oil gas industry, and private property owners who want to make any changes or additions to their properties that may involve digging or repair to an underground pipe or utility. They know to never put shovel to ground before knowing exactly what and where is hiding underneath. Pacific Coast Locators (http://www.pacificcoastlocators.com) is about underground utility locating services services a privately owned company. We serve clients primarily in the utility, oil and gas industries, and environmental consulting field.
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