Glossary

Utility Locating

What is Utility Locating?

Utility locating is the process of detecting and marking the position of buried utilities using electromagnetic and ground-penetrating tools, then verifying them physically by potholing or daylighting with hydro excavation.

Utility locating uses signal detectors, ground-penetrating radar, and record drawings to estimate where underground gas, electric, water, and communication lines run, marking them on the surface. Because these methods give approximate positions, crews confirm the true depth and location by exposing the line with vacuum excavation.

Locating plus non-destructive digging is the standard damage-prevention workflow after a call to 811. Hydro excavation is the preferred verification method because it uncovers lines without contact. Renters can request the daylighting and potholing equipment used in this workflow for free on Vac4Rent.