A new construction project requires work that occurs underground such as connecting the site with utilities, including water and electricity. However, all utility lines must be located before the project begins. An underground utilities contractor should verify where the lines are located before continuing the project. Lack of identification can lead to costly delays. Working with buried utilities requires heavy equipment, so it is vital that the home or business owner find a reliable contractor to handle these details.
Utility Locating
Initial utility locating is done by a national service and is initiated by the homeowner, business owner, or contractor a few days before the project is scheduled to begin. The location service will mark where the existing utility lines lie. However, old and abandoned utility lines may still be present. The contractor should verify where all utility lines are before beginning to dig.
Contractors use a hand-held utility locator to verify the location of the lines. Failure to do so could cause utility disruption to the surrounding area, resulting in costly repairs and delays. It could also result in revisions of the project, especially if the lines are not located where expected. After location, contractors will use a method called vacuum extraction to remove dirt from the site without digging. This process allows the workers to visually verify the location of the line and remove dirt without the risk of damage. Even hand-digging could result in a nicked line, and this could result in personal injury to a worker, along with other issues.
When planning a project, it is vital that an underground utilities contractor be retained. These professionals can locate and connect to existing utilities without fuss. A contractor like Vallencourt in Jacksonville, Florida, can install water and sewer pipes along with other utility work. Vallencourt can assist a home or business owner in many facets of construction, contact them before beginning the next project.
