GPR Private Utility Locating
GPR utility locating uses ground penetrating radar to map buried lines, including private ones that 811 member utilities don't mark, such as irrigation, site lighting and private water or electric. It reduces strike risk before boring or digging.
When to use GPR locating
Order a private locate when the property owner owns lines past the meter, such as a campus, shopping center, school or farm, or before any bore or trench in a yard with landscape lighting, irrigation or outbuildings. Sunshine 811 notifies member operators only; it does not locate privately owned lines.
When not to use it
Radar reads poorly in wet clay and salty or highly conductive soils, and it does not replace the legally required 811 ticket. For a single metallic line with an accessible connection point, an electromagnetic locator alone may answer the question faster.
Common applications
Electrical Conduit Boring
Electrical conduit for generators, EV chargers, pool equipment and outbuildings is commonly bored under driveways and walks by missile or HDD.
Fiber Optic Conduit Installation
Fiber is usually placed in HDPE conduit installed by HDD, which keeps long runs under roads and yards without trenching.
How the job runs
Each GPR locating job follows these steps in order.
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Scope the area
Agree on the scan footprint and what the client needs found.
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811 marks first
Member utility marks are reviewed so the scan can confirm and fill gaps.
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EM sweep
Conductive lines are traced with an electromagnetic locator where a connection is possible.
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GPR grid scan
The radar cart is pushed in a grid to catch non-metallic lines and anomalies.
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Mark
Findings are marked with paint and flags in the APWA color code.
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Report
A sketch or photo log of the marks is sent to the client.
What we need to quote
Send these and we can price the job without a site visit in most cases.
- Site address
- Size of the area to scan
- What you plan to dig or bore
- Known private utilities on site
- Deadline
Where we work
Questions about GPR locating
Doesn't 811 locate everything?
No. Under Florida Statutes chapter 556, 811 notifies member operators, who mark their own facilities. Lines owned by the property owner are not marked by the system.
How deep can GPR see?
It depends on the soil: dry sand allows deeper reads than wet clay. Depth estimates from radar should be confirmed by potholing before close work.
Sources: Doesn't 811 locate everything?
Get a bore quoted
Send the footage, product size and crossing, and we will reply with a quote or the questions we need answered.