Is electromagnetic locating accurate?

Yes. When a conductive path or tracer wire exists, electromagnetic locating provides reliable utility paths and depth estimates.

Does the utility need to be turned off?

No. Electromagnetic locating does not interrupt utility service.

Can electromagnetic locating find plastic pipes?

Only if a tracer wire is present. Otherwise, ground penetrating radar may be required.

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.

Electromagnetic Utility Locating Near Me | Centralia WA

Electromagnetic Utility Locating Services Near You in Centralia, WA

Electromagnetic (EM) locating is a proven method used to locate underground conductive utilities such as electrical lines, communication cables, sewer laterals with tracer wire, and metal pipes. This service helps homeowners, contractors, and excavators avoid costly and dangerous utility strikes before digging or construction.

What Is Electromagnetic Locating?

Electromagnetic locating uses a transmitter and receiver to trace underground utilities that carry or can accept an electrical signal. A signal is applied directly or indirectly to the utility, and the receiver detects the signal’s path and depth underground.

This method is non-destructive, safe, and does not interrupt utility service.

What Can Be Located?

Electromagnetic locating is effective for:

Electrical power lines (live or inactive)
Communication lines (phone, cable, fiber with tracer wire)
Sewer laterals with tracer wire or accessible cleanout
Metal gas or water lines
Conduits containing conductive wiring
Tracer wires installed with plastic utilities

When EM Locating Is the Right Choice?

Electromagnetic locating is ideal when:

You need to locate private utilities not marked by 811
A line is known or suspected to be conductive
A cleanout, access point, or tracer wire is present
You need accurate depth and alignment before excavation
You need depth and less than 24" tolerance zone offered by 811

What EM Locating Cannot Find

Electromagnetic locating cannot reliably detect:

Plastic or PVC pipes without tracer wire
Non-metallic utilities with no conductive path
Abandoned lines with no continuity

In these cases, Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is often recommended.

How the Process Works

A transmitter applies a signal to the target utility
A receiver tracks the signal underground
The utility path and depth are identified
Utilities are marked on the surface with paint and/or flags

No digging is required, and utilities remain active during the process.

Why Hire a Private Utility Locator?

Public 811 locates only mark public utilities and do not locate private lines beyond the meter or demarcation point.

A private locate helps:

Prevent utility damage
Reduce excavation risk
Avoid costly delays and repairs
Verify existing 811 markings
Provide depth readings and more accurate locates within inches rather than feet.

Service Areas

Electromagnetic locating services are available throughout Lewis County, Thurston County, Mason County, Pacific County, Grays Harbor County, and Cowlitz County, with additional service available across Washington State by request.

Pricing & Scheduling

Pricing, which can be detailed here, is based on time on site, with a clearly defined first hour and additional time as needed. 90% of EM Locating at a residential property takes one hour or less.

Travel time is based on distance from Centralia City Hall. All locates within city limits are billed at $125 with no travel fee. Outside city limits, it is based per 15 minutes of drive from Centralia City Hall. To find your distance from Centralia City Hall, simply return HOME and go to the imbedded Google Maps that has its start distance there to calculate the distance.

$45 per 15 minutes from Centralia City Hall.

Appointments are available evenings and weekends.

👉 Schedule your locate online or call for availability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is electromagnetic locating accurate?

Yes, when a conductive path exists, EM locating provides reliable line tracing and depth estimates.

Does the utility need to be turned off?

No. Locating is performed without interrupting service.

Can EM locating replace GPR?

No. Each method serves different purposes and is often best used together.