Private Utility Locating

gpr detection below road WOOD Inspection Services deploys traditional (EM) location equipment for the initial detection of visible utilities. Our team marks these lines with paint using the standard colors as defined by the Americas Public Works Association.

To be comprehensive, we scan the area with Ground penetrating radar for any signs of utilities or obstructions which should be avoided during excavation, digging or drilling. The data for is collected in a grid format which provides full coverage of the survey area and allows for unknown objects to be discovered. Next, a 3D map of the ground and its infrastructure can be developed. This is especially beneficial in congested areas for identifying utilities and also for pre-engineering purposes.

Underground Utility Locating Services

Are you planning a construction project on your property? Before you start digging, it is important to know what is underground. That is where our Private Underground Utility Locating Services come in. Our team of experts uses the latest technology to locate and map out any underground utilities such as gas, water, and power lines.

Our Underground Utility Locating Services ensure the safety of your project and prevent costly damages to underground infrastructure. With our state-of-the-art equipment and experienced technicians, we provide accurate and reliable location services that save you time and money. Do not risk damaging vital infrastructure or facing legal issues, trust our team to locate any underground utilities on your property. Contact us today to schedule your private utility location service.

Utility Mapping and Surveying

Electromagnetic Locating (EML)

EML involves using electromagnetic technology to locate metallic and non-metallic utilities such as water, gas, and electric lines. EML can be performed on both conductive and non-conductive materials.

Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)

GPR utilizes high-frequency radar to locate buried utilities and structures. GPR is highly effective in identifying non-metallic objects such as plastic and concrete pipes.

Utility Verification

This involves verifying the existence and location of underground utilities that have been previously identified or mapped. This is typically performed prior to construction to ensure that utilities are properly located and avoid costly conflicts during the construction process.

SUE (Subsurface Utility Engineering) Services

Our SUE (Subsurface Utility Engineering) services locate and map underground utilities like gas, water, and electric lines. There are four levels of SUE, each with varying degrees of accuracy and cost.

Quality Level A (QL-A)
Quality Level B (QL-B)
Quality Level C (QL-C)
Quality Level D (QL-D)

Always Call Texas811

Call the public locator service in Texas, known as the the One-Call System (DIGTESS or 811). Do it before you dig, blast, bore, trench, drill, grade, or excavate underground in any way. If you hit a buried utility line, you could create a life-threatening situation and be fined and cause an outage to an essential utility service. Even if you have used the service before and you think you know where the underground utilities are, contact 811 before every digging project to protect yourself. Remember, it is a free service.

What Does the Public Locating Service Do?

Texas811 does not mark utilities, but instead notifies participating member utilities. In a few days, a representative of the utility will visit the property, locate and mark primary public utility lines (water lines, natural gas pipelines, electric). Before a visit to your property, white-line where you plan to dig, locators can more easily mark the affected utilities.

A reminder that utility maps are not updated often and the markings may be off. Texas811 has the most current, most accurate information about buried utilities.

Private vs. Public Utility Locating Companies

Understanding the difference between public and private utilities can be crucial when it comes to underground locating. Public utility services are those that end at the street, while private utilities are located between the meter and the building. It is important to note that Texas811 will not mark private or non-member utilities, which means that if you have a curbside meter or private utility lines, your property may not be marked for excavation. Other underground utilities that are generally not marked include sewer lines, private lighting, sprinkler systems, fire mains, secondary electric lines to detached garages, pools, and septic lines.

To ensure that all of your underground utilities are properly located and marked, it is important to contact an independent utility contractor like WOOD Inspection Services. Our team of experts can provide a comprehensive evaluation of both private and public utilities, as well as any unused lines on your property. We understand the importance of avoiding costly and dangerous mistakes during excavation, and we are committed to providing reliable and accurate information to help keep you and your property safe. To learn more about the difference between public and private utility services, please visit our private vs public utility services page

Frequently Asked Questions

What do Utility Locator Markings Mean?

Utility locator markings reveal what is underground, different colors identify different types of utilities. Charts from the APWA reveal what each color and marking defines from natural gas pipelines to sewer and water lines.

Locator flags are placed within paint marks as a warning. If you find flags outside the borders of locator markings, someone may have tampered with them. Contact Texas811 to confirm placement.

What is the Tolerance Zone?

The tolerance zone is the width of an underground utility plus a specified tolerance distance on both sides of that utility. Do not use power-digging equipment within this zone. The zone provides a margin of error in case the locator marks are slightly off. It also provides a buffer zone to prevent damage resulting from nearby excavation.

If you do not respect the tolerance zone, you risk hitting buried utilities. You also risk damaging them indirectly by removing supporting soil, which could cause the utility to bend or break. You could be injured or killed, and your company could be liable for any damages that occur.

To avoid damaging buried utilities, do not power dig within the tolerance zone. Hand dig or use vacuum technology instead.

Who is responsible for utility lines?

Public utilities are electric, gas, phone/cable, water and sewer lines managed by the city and utility companies (Verizon, Oncor, or Atmos)

The area of responsibility can vary by zip code, city and specific address. For example, some cities in DFW are responsible for the water service line from the street connection all the way to the meter. Other cities are only responsible from the street connection to the water shut off valve in the yard or at the property line. The rest of the line is considered private and becomes property of a homeowner or business owner.

Examples of Private Utilities

Electric lines that go to outbuildings such as sheds, pole barns, garages, pools, etc.
Gas lines that go to grills, pools, or outbuildings
Phone/cable lines to outbuildings; water or sewer lines to outbuildings.
A septic system, well, or irrigation system are also “private”.

Can you identify Live and Active Utilities?

Difference between CCTV Camera vs GPR?

Are location markings 100% accurate and are all utilities traceable?

No marked utility is 100% accurate, even with the latest equipment and technology. We suggest a 2 feet leniency on either side of the marked lines to ensure safety. It should also be hand dug (or pot-holed) so that the utility can be safely verified.

Not everything is traceable. Anything plastic such as irrigation pipe or gas lines are not traceable unless there is a tracer wire that is laid with it. Fiber optic lines are glass and are difficult to be traced unless it has a tracer wire. Sanitary sewer lines typically aren’t traceable unless you can access a point of entry such as a clean out to run a traceable source into the line.