Does 811 locate private utilities?

No. 811 typically marks public utilities only. Private utilities such as private water lines, sewer laterals, septic systems, irrigation, propane, and private electrical lines are usually not included.

What is private utility locating?

Private utility locating identifies underground utilities located beyond the public connection point, including private water, sewer, septic, electrical, and other privately owned lines.

Can you locate PVC or non-metallic utilities?

Yes. Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is commonly used to locate non-metallic utilities such as PVC and clay pipes, especially when tracer wire is not present.

Can you locate septic tanks and drain fields?

Yes. Septic system locating, including septic tanks and drain fields, is a common service for property planning, repairs, and replacements.

How accurate is utility locating?

Utility locating provides approximate utility locations. Depth, soil conditions, and utility material can affect results. Verification by potholing is recommended before excavation.

Do you provide utility locating near me?

Yes. Twin City Locating provides mobile private utility locating and GPR services throughout Southwest Washington, including multiple counties and surrounding rural areas.

Utility Locating Best Practices Before Digging

Before starting any project that involves digging, trenching, or ground disturbance, it is important to understand utility locating best practices. Many utility strikes occur because underground utilities were not properly identified before work began.

Following these best practices helps reduce the risk of damage and costly repairs, project delays, and safety hazards when working on residential or commercial property.

Always Identify Utilities Before Digging

One of the most important steps before digging is identifying what is underground. Even small projects such as fence posts, mailbox installation, or landscaping can result in utility damage if underground lines are present.

Underground utilities may include water lines, gas lines, sewer laterals, electrical feeds, communications lines, irrigation systems, and other buried infrastructure.

Understand the Limitations of 811 Locate Requests

Calling 811 is an important first step, but it does not identify all underground utilities. 811 locate requests typically mark public utilities only and provide approximate locations.

Utilities located on commercial properties or any utility past the meter, such as private water services, sewer laterals, irrigation systems, or electrical feeds to outbuildings, are not marked through 811. Relying solely on 811 can leave critical utilities unidentified.

Using the Right Locating Method for the Situation

Different underground utilities require different locating methods. Choosing the correct method improves accuracy and reduces uncertainty.

Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)

Used to detect non-metal utilities and subsurface features where traditional locating methods are not effective.

Electromagnetic (EM) Locating

Used to trace conductive utilities such as metal pipes, tracer-wire equipped lines, and energized electrical or communication cables.

Sewer Scope & Sonde Locating

Used to trace sewer laterals and underground piping using camera inspection and transmitter equipment.

Magnetic Locating

Used to locate buried ferrous objects such as property pins, valves, and manholes.

In some cases, multiple locating methods are used together to provide the most complete understanding of underground conditions.

Plan for Older or Undocumented Utilities

Older properties and rural areas often contain utilities that are undocumented or installed before modern recordkeeping. These utilities may not appear on maps or plans and may not be detectable with a single locating method.

Taking extra time to locate utilities on these properties can help prevent unexpected discoveries during excavation.

Avoid Assumptions About Utility Depth

811 public locators cannot provide a depth for their utilities. Private locators, such as Twin City Locating, can provide accurate depth readings for all EM Locating and an approximate read for GPR locating. Utility depth can vary significantly across a property. Changes in grade, landscaping, previous excavation, or erosion can affect how deep utilities are buried. Just because it is a certain depth in one location, does not mean it stays that deep in other locations.

Never assume a utility is buried at a safe depth. Locating utilities before digging helps avoid accidental damage even when working at shallow depths.
Trent with Twin City Locating can assist onsite with digging methods and tips to help your specific situation.

Schedule Locating Before Project Deadline

Utility locating should be scheduled before project timelines become tight. Waiting until the last minute can limit options and increase the risk of delays if additional locating is required. 811 requires 2 full business days (the day the locate is called in doesn't count).

It is best to allow at least a week, if not longer, for locators to mark your area of concern. Especially larger projects.

Planning ahead allows time to locate utilities accurately and make adjustments before excavation begins.

Service Area

Twin City Locating provides utility locating services throughout Southwest Washington, including Centralia, Chehalis, Aberdeen, Olympia, Longview, Ocean Shores, and surrounding communities.

If you are preparing for a project, you may want to review typical utility locating costs or explore available locating services to determine the best approach for your situation.