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 (EM) Utility Locating in Southwest Washington

Electromagnetic (EM) locating is a utility locating method used to trace conductive underground utilities, such as metal pipes, tracer-wire equipped plastic lines, and energized electrical or communication cables. Twin City Locating provides professional EM locating services throughout Southwest Washington for homeowners, contractors, and property owners who need accurate utility locations before excavation or construction.

EM locating works by inducing the target line with a radio frequency from a transmitter and detecting that signal on a conductive line using a locator wand or receiver, allowing the path and approximate depth of the utility to be traced across a property. This method is commonly used for locating electrical conduits, communication lines, and plastic water services or sewer laterals equipped with tracer wire.

EM locating is especially useful when the approximate location of a utility is known and the goal is to follow its path with greater accuracy. It is often used prior to trenching, fence installation, utility repairs, or site development where avoiding utility strikes is critical.

When EM Locating Is the Right Choice

Electromagnetic locating is commonly used in situations such as:

• Tracing private water services with tracer wire
• Locating electrical lines feeding outbuildings or lighting
• Following known conductive utilities across a property
• Verifying utility paths before trenching or excavation
• Confirming utility locations prior to construction or repairs

Combining EM Locating With Other Methods

In many cases, EM locating is combined with other locating techniques such as ground penetrating radar (GPR), magnetic locating, or sewer scope and sonde locating to improve accuracy and coverage. Using multiple methods helps ensure the most complete understanding of underground utilities within a work area.

Limitations of EM Locating

While EM locating is an effective method, it does have limitations. This technique requires the utility to be conductive or equipped with tracer wire. In areas with multiple nearby utilities, signal distortion or bleed-over can occur. Non-metal utilities without tracer wire may require additional locating methods.

Before scheduling service, you may want to review typical private utility locating costs or learn more about utility locating best practices to determine the best approach for your project.

Magnetic Locating

Using a magnetic locator, we can find buried manholes, valves, some septic lids, and property pins.

1 h

From 125 US dollars

Customer's Place

Service Description

CAN BE OFFERED IN CONJUNCTION WITH ELECTROMAGNETIC LOCATING AND SEWER SCOPE "I have a metal detector... that will work just fine." A magnetic locator is better than a metal detector for finding ferrous (iron and steel) objects at greater depths because it detects their natural magnetic field without interference from other metals or mineralized soil. A metal detector provides many false positives when trying to find property pins or buried covers, because it will detect both ferrous and non-ferrous as well as the common reality of SW Washington with mineralized soils. Magnetic locator Pros: Greater depth: Can detect objects much deeper than a metal detector. Higher sensitivity for ferrous metals: More effective at finding objects made of iron or steel, such as rebar, pipes, property pins, and manhole covers. No interference: Not affected by mineralized soil or other non-ferrous metals, reducing false positives and making it more reliable in some situations. Choosing a metal detector over a magnetic locator unit include; Shallower depth: Generally, a metal detector can only detect objects a few inches to a foot or two deep. Interference: Can give false signals from mineralized soil or other non-target metals, requiring more effort to sort through responses. When trying to find property pins, this is the proper service.

Cancellation Policy

We understand that things and options change. There is no charge for cancellations made two hours prior to appointment. We will contact prior to heading to the locate site to verify work is still to take place.

Contact Details

360-720-3333

twincitylocating@gmail.com

304 W 1st St, Centralia, WA, USA