Before breaking ground on any site, whether you’re building, landscaping, or renovating, it’s important to know what lies below. Utility locating, utility mapping, and concrete scanning in Sydney are essential steps that help prevent costly damage and ensure your project starts safely.
At On Point Locating, we break down what utility locating involves, how it works, and why it’s a critical step for construction companies, developers, engineers, and anyone working on excavation or land development projects.
Utility locating services are specialised procedures used to detect and mark underground utilities, such as water pipes, gas lines, electricity cables, telecommunications, and sewer systems. These services are typically carried out before any form of excavation or construction begins, ensuring workers and equipment don’t accidentally damage essential infrastructure.
Accidental damage to underground services can lead to significant delays, public safety risks and financial losses or penalties. From power outages to burst water mains or gas leaks, the consequences of digging without proper underground service location can be serious.
Using a utility locating service provides these benefits:
Real estate developers, civil engineers, contractors, and landscapers all benefit from early detection of underground utilities. It’s a small step that can save considerable time and money later in the project.
The process of service locating involves a combination of advanced tools, techniques, and industry expertise. Depending on the location and complexity of the site, technicians may use several methods to identify and map out underground services:
Before any on-site work starts, project managers often submit a request to Before You Dig, a national referral service that provides maps from utility owners. This is the first step in understanding where underground services may be located.
This common method uses a transmitter and receiver to locate conductive utilities like power or communication cables. The equipment sends a signal through the service which allows the locator to trace the path of the underground utility.
For non-conductive utilities (like some water or sewer lines), GPR is used. It sends radar pulses into the ground and detects reflections from buried objects. This method is particularly useful in urban areas where new services are laid and plans may not be available.
On complex sites like commercial builds or high-density areas in Sydney, utility mapping and concrete scanning help locate buried services where plans may be unclear or outdated.
In some cases, especially when high accuracy is required, technicians use non-destructive digging to physically expose utilities and confirm their exact position. This method is often used to verify results from electromagnetic or radar scanning.
Once located, the utilities are marked, surveyed and documented for reference. These markings and plans guide excavation and workers throughout the project.
Utility locating is essential for anyone breaking ground—whether you’re a builder, landscaper, engineer, developer, or homeowner. From major infrastructure projects to small backyard works, identifying underground services before digging helps avoid costly damage, delays, and safety risks.
But not all locating services are equal. A reliable service locator should offer clear communication, accurate documentation, experience with both public and private utilities, and use multiple detection methods, such as utility mapping and concrete scanning, for the best results.
Partnering with a trusted team like On Point Locating gives you the confidence to move forward safely and efficiently, backed by proven technology and expert support.
Whether you’re managing a construction site, landscaping a property, or developing new infrastructure, utility locating services help you work smarter and safer. Don’t leave it to chance—identify what’s underground before you dig.
Learn more about On Point Locating’s utility locating services and how our expert team can support your next project. For accurate service locating and peace of mind on every job, get in touch today.
