What is Utility Locating?
Utility locating is the process of identifying and confirming the position of buried infrastructure before excavation begins. In utility and construction work, it helps crews determine where underground electric, gas, telecom, water, and sewer lines are located so work can proceed more safely and accurately.
When field conditions do not allow crews to rely on surface marks alone, direct confirmation methods such as potholing or keyholing may be used to verify the utility’s position before excavation moves forward.
Why Utility Locating is Used
Utility locating helps crews reduce uncertainty before excavation starts. It is commonly used to:
- identify buried utility paths before digging
- verify field conditions before excavation
- reduce the risk of accidental utility strikes
- support safer planning in congested underground work areas
In utility and construction work, locating provides the information crews need before excavation moves forward.
Utility Locating with AirSpade
Utility locating often begins with surface marks, maps, or field sketches, but those references may not provide enough certainty for excavation. When conditions require direct confirmation, controlled excavation may be needed to uncover the line safely. AirSpade uses compressed air to loosen soil without the contact associated with mechanical digging methods, making it well suited to non-destructive excavation around buried infrastructure. Utility AirSpade was developed for this type of work and includes a dead-man trigger, non-sparking components for work around gas and other flammable utilities, and a non-conductive fiberglass barrel assembly for added protection around buried electrical lines.
When paired with vacuum excavation equipment, loosened material can be removed efficiently to support a clean, controlled excavation for visual utility confirmation.