Are you thinking of your next renovation project? Are you wondering what you should do before you start digging?
Electricity powers the modern world, and the majority of our lives depend on this smooth transmission of electricity. Underground there is a vast network of electrical cables that are a critical component of electrical transmission. Digging underground or disturbing these cables can cause disruptions to electrical service and be potentially harmful. Locating and managing these underground electrical cables is a critical task for any project involving digging. In this blog post, we’ll explore the advantages of locating electrical cables underground.
Advantages of Underground Cable Locating
When it comes to home improvement projects, it is always important to plan to prevent accidents. For digging, it is important to undergo cable locating prior to starting your project to prevent power outages or injuries. Here are some of the advantages of cable locating:
1. Prevent Accidents
With high-voltage power lines, there is always a risk of injury if you do not handle them properly. Professional power line technicians undergo extensive training to ensure they can safely operate equipment and work with power lines. Accidental damage to buried utilities can lead to disastrous consequences, including injuries, service disruptions, and expensive repairs. Proper locating will prevent accidents from occurring.
2. Cost Savings
Service disruptions, injuries or repairs can cost you during a renovation. Underground cable locating can help prevent added costs by accurately locating cables and preventing accidents from occurring.
3. Efficiency
While it may seem like an extra step in your project to get cable locating services, planning ahead will save you time in your project. Knowing where cables or utilities are located allows you to plan your project safely and efficiently reducing any time spent with delays or repairs.
4. Minimal Service Disruption
Locating cables is important for any project that may disrupt the ground on your property to prevent power outages for yourself and your neighbours. Whether you are starting a new project or fixing up something on your property, if you are digging in the ground you should consider cable locating services to prevent any electrical disruptions.
When do you need cable locating?
Often when people think of cable locating, they imagine it’s useful for large projects such as installing an inground pool, or a new building on your property and while those projects do require cable locating, so do many other common projects that benefit from cable locating.
Landscaping or Gardening
If you’re planning to upgrade your outdoor space by landscaping or gardening, you should consider cable locating. If your project involves digging holes for trees, shrubs, or flower beds, cable locating will ensure you do not accidentally hit buried electrical cables.
Fence Installation
Installing a fence is a common project for homeowners and it involves digging holes for fence posts. To avoid hitting underground cables or pipes, it’s essential to locate them before you begin digging for your fence. This can save you from potential accidents and costly repairs.
Driveway or Walkway Construction
If you are planning a new driveway or a project to dig a new walkway on your property, it is important to discover any cables underneath your project area. Excavation for walkways or driveways can disrupt the cables underneath leading to a disruption of electrical services for yourself and your neighbours.
Excavations
If your project plans include a basement renovation or a remodelling project that requires digging, cable locating is a must. Cable locating is especially important if you are digging near the foundation of a building where there are likely various cables and utility lines buried underground.
Underground cable locating is essential for any project involving digging. Underground cables can be anywhere on your property and avoiding them will ensure your safety, electrical efficiency and cost-effective projects. The advantages, such as accident prevention, cost savings, and minimal service disruption, are critical for any DIY project. If you are looking for cable-locating services, contact Sturdy Power Lines!