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A pipe locator is a device that is designed to locate buried pipes underground. PVC pipe locators work in several ways and can vary in cost considerably. These tools are manufactured and sold primarily by specialty companies. Some hardware stores carry pipe locators for their customers or can order them by request. These efficient pipe locator devices can locate and track the location of any line in a metallic pipe, be it gas, water, electricity, or internet. Underground pipe locators are essential tools for excavators and builders to have before starting a job. They risk doing more damage than good when working on their project if they need to know whether there are pipes beneath their project location.

Cable types revealed using a pipe locator

There are five major types of pipes and cables that need to be located before any excavation. Gas pipes are of the utmost importance when scanning for cables and other pipe services underground. Gas leaks caused by construction work can become catastrophic if they are not controlled on time. In many cases, private residents will also have high-speed internet and television cables running to their premises underground. Additionally, uninsulated underground lines can often be found in several locations. Whenever a cable is chopped, sliced, or severed, the machinery and workers around this area are exposed to very high currents, which can lead to injury or death. Petrol pipelines can be present in commercial or industrial estates and other locations. It is always better to be safe than sorry, as rupturing these pipelines can result in millions of dollars in damage and lost products.

Benefits of pipe locators

There are several advantages to burying utilities, ranging from less risk of storm damage to a desire to create a clean and uncluttered look in a yard and around a structure. However, the main problem with burying utilities is that they can be difficult to find again. Locating underground pipes and cables is essential before any excavation work can commence. Whether it is construction, landscaping, plumbing, or any other work that requires a yard to be dug up. Breaking these pipes and cables can be a significant health and safety issue. Additionally, any damage is also going to result in delays and expensive repairs. Plus, there is every likelihood that this damage will cause an outage and a lot of heartbroken neighbors.

Pipe finders are often accessible as they usually come with two parts – the transmitter and receiver. The transmitter will induce a signal onto the nearest pipe, while the receiver will pinpoint the position of the pipe. However, some skill is required to operate a pipe locator, especially an advanced model with several different functions. Pipe and cable locators collect data about what lies beneath the ground. Most cable locators allow you to export reports, maps, and data about the pipes underneath the project's site. This means you can utilize this data to plan future projects on that site should the pipes remain unmoved.