Underground Utility Locator
With precision accuracy, we can detect underground utilities, cables, pipes, structures and more.
Underground Service Locator
Don’t dig blind and use Provac’s underground service locating
There are millions of miles of underground utility service lines and buried facilities including electrical, gas mains, water pipes, sewerage, high-speed internet and telephone lines in Australia. Don’t dig bling and use our underground service locator services in Brisbane, Gold Coast or in whole Australia.
Every day more and more cables are laid underground, and in an underground environment, you are dealing with significantly greater distances, volume and complexities of underground services. As experienced underground service locators to the Gold Coast, Brisbane, and the entirety of South East Queensland, we understand that it is vital that underground service locators are proficient, skilful, and provide the best customer care.
“Did you know it is illegal to drive in a star picket or fence post on your construction site, private or public property, or even a clothesline in your own back yard without current Before You Dig plans onsite?”
Our difference in underground locating services
Provac Australia Pty Ltd are experts in detecting underground services as we utilise a selection of techniques and top-of-the-range technologies to ensure precision accuracy. We can detect and locate buried cables, pipes, mains and other underground services. This means with our help, you will avoid any damage to or exposure of underground services, which could be costly or even fatal.
Our cable and pipe locating services are accurate and will provide you with risk-free and safe excavating as you will not be going in blind.
Digging with Provac is digging safely
The Provac team uses state-of-the-art equipment and provides our team with best-in-class training, which is our advantage and difference. We are experts in underground cable location services and our team executes the best training to ensure we are as accurate as possible. The high-quality training helps to ensure everyone’s safety.
Our team are all workplace training certified as we invest in our employees with ongoing regular training programs to keep our technical team at the forefront of underground cable locating knowledge to meet every operation and clients needs now and in the future.
So choose Provac’s underground utility location service as it provides vital insights prior to beginning construction work, property renovations, landscaping or any other excavation or drilling work. We have the highest level of productivity to achieve the best result and allow you to dig or drill down safely.
Benefits of choosing Provac
The benefits of our underground utility locator include:
- Save on time and unnecessary damage costs
- Ensure the safety of all people involved
- Avoid accidentally damaging cables, pipes or mains
- Avoid unnecessary landscaping and environmental damage
Contact Provac today for Underground Service Locator needs.
Our team receive the best quality training and are the experts you need to hire before digging. Please enquire about our full range of utility location services, fill out our contact form or call us now on 1300 734 772.
Frequently Asked Questions about Underground Service Locating
What type of locating service do I need?
There are several different methods we use to locate underground services.
The best and most common way to locate an underground asset is by using electromagnetic radio waves, which is performed using a transmitter and receiver. The transmitter is used to emit a signal through the pipe and cable which is then picked up using the receiver.
Other methods we utilise include GPR (Ground-penetrating radars) primarily used to locate non-conductive pipes such as PVC water mains and poly pressure sewer rising mains.
Do I need underground utility locations before I begin excavations?
Yes, it is your legal obligation to use a Before You Dig Australia (BYDA) accredited locator before you commence any excavations or drilling. If you excavate without first consulting a BYDA accredited locator and an asset is damaged, you will be held liable for the damages and all costs associated with that damage.
Can you locate my house connections?
Yes, we often locate all underground service house connections for our clients. This is often required by homeowners and property developers when looking to demolish or renovate external structures.
Can you locate optic fibre cables?
Yes, although optic fibre cables are not traceable using electromagnetic methods, we have other trusted methods for locating optic fibre cables.
The most common way to locate optic fibre cables is by using a traceable copper reel which we can push up the pipe/conduit that the optic fibre is laid in. The copper reel is then traced using the electronic detection equipment and is accurately located just like any other underground service.
How accurate are electronic underground locations?
Electronic locations are extremely accurate in most cases but are still only classified as ‘Class B’ locations in the Classification of Subsurface Utility ‘AS 5488’ guidelines. Electronic locations must be safely potholed via hand excavation or with a vac truck so that a visible confirmation of the underground asset can attain a ‘Class A’ location in accordance with the Classification of Subsurface Utility ‘AS 5488’ guidelines.
How deep can electronic locators detect a pipe or cable?
Our state of the art radio wave detection equipment has been capable of accurately locating underground services up to 10m deep below the earth’s surface.
What are underground service locators?
Underground service locators are tools used to locate and map underground utilities such as power, gas, water, and telecommunications lines. They help prevent damage during construction or excavation. Methods include electromagnetic detection, ground penetrating radar, acoustic location, and vacuum excavation. They are used by many industries and homeowners to locate utilities before landscaping or construction.
How are underground services identified or marked on site?
Once underground services have been located using underground service locators, they are identified or marked on-site using a variety of methods. The specific method used may vary depending on the type of utility and local regulations, but some common methods include:
Flags: Small colored flags are commonly used to mark the location of underground utilities. Each color corresponds to a specific type of utility, such as blue for water lines or yellow for gas lines.
Paint: Utility lines can be marked with paint, often using a color code similar to that used for flags.
Stakes: Wooden stakes can be used to mark the location of underground utilities, with the type of utility and other information written on the stake.
Tape: Non-adhesive plastic or metal tape can be placed over utility lines to indicate their location.
Regardless of the method used, the markings will usually include information such as the type of utility, the depth of the line, and the name of the utility company or other organization responsible for the line. This information is important for ensuring that excavations and other activities are conducted safely and do not damage the utilities. It is also important to follow local regulations and guidelines when marking and identifying underground utilities.
Who uses underground service locators?
Underground service locators are used by a variety of professionals and industries, including:
Construction companies and contractors: They use underground service locators to identify the location of utilities before starting construction work to prevent damage to the utilities.
Utility companies: They use underground service locators to locate and map the location of their underground infrastructure to maintain and repair their systems.
Engineers and surveyors: They use underground service locators to gather information about the location of utilities before designing new infrastructure or building projects.
Municipalities and local government agencies: They use underground service locators to ensure compliance with regulations and maintain public safety.
Homeowners and property managers: They use underground service locators to locate utilities before starting landscaping or other home improvement projects.
In summary, anyone involved in construction, infrastructure maintenance, or property management may use underground service locators to locate and map the location of underground utilities.
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