Subsurface Utility Locating In Houston Texas

Having a good understanding of where your onsite utilities are at is critical when performing ground disturbance projects. Vertex GPR recently performed a utility locate within a small area of a construction project. Within the area scanned, the detected utilities included the facilities gas main, sanitary sewer main, secondary electric, telecommunications and site lighting.

Vertex GPR marked each of the detected underground utilities out with spray paint and pin flags. This assisted with safety and provided a visual understanding to how the underground utilities were routed.

7 Questions Answered About Ground Penetrating Radar

Throughout my ground penetrating radar career, I have been asked many questions regarding the capabilities of GPR. While there are many opinions and questions that constitute lengthy responses, I thought it would be fun and helpful to briefly answer what I believe are important questions and then a few that are always joked about.

1. How far can GPR penetrate?

This question has been posed to me countless times over the years. The kicker is, there is not a simple answer to this. The reason? Depth penetration is dictated by soil conditions and type of radar frequency. I have found 1” diameter plastic lines at four-feet on certain projects, while on others I have been unable to detect a 1’ diameter steel pipe at two-feet. From my experience, the largest obstacles for radar clarity and depth penetration are clay and moisture. If these two variables are present, they do not entirely rule out the use of GPR. However, the amount of detectable utilities may become an issue. Unfortunately, the achievable depth penetration of the radar is unknown until the soil on a given project site is scanned. If you are having a GPR scan performed for underground utilities, always ask your GPR operator what depth penetration the radar is achieving and what other methods are being used to assist with the locate.

2. How long does it take for the GPR to detect a utility?

Unless a 3D scan is being performed, the GPR data is processed and interpreted in real time onsite. The data that is shown in real time is displayed in a cross-section view of the substrate. This means that if the utility is detectable, the GPR will locate it within a very quick time frame, given the general area of the utility is known.

3. Can the GPR determine what type of utility it is detecting?

In some situations, yes. Steel and plastic lines will reflect the radar signal differently. This will give indication as to what material the line is made of. For the type of utility, the line typically must be traced back to its source.

4. Is GPR safe to be around?

Yes, the signal output is less than that of a smart phone.

5. Can you find gold with that?

If the gold is in a large stash, yes, the GPR will detect a reflection. However, there is no way of knowing the reflection retrieved is from a stash of gold.  So, let’s just say you would be hard pressed to find a GPR operator sneaking around at night looking for El Dorado.

6. You looking for Jimmy Hoffa?

I have never searched for Mr. Hoffa. However, GPR has been used to assist with homicide investigations where victims have been thought to be buried. So, as this question is always stated as a joke, there is more truth behind it than typically realized.

7. Can you give me an MRI with that?

Unfortunately, no.

Tyler Zachman

Owner | Vertex GPR

Houston, TX

Utility Locate In Southeast Texas

Vertex GPR recently performed an underground utility locate for a contractor who was seeking to complete a directional bore without incident. Using ground penetrating radar and electromagnetic detection, multiple utilities were located. The located utilities include gas, electric, communications, irrigation and potable water. All the utilities were traced out onsite and marked onto the surface. This allowed for the path of the directional bore to be determined.

To request a quote or to schedule with Vertex GPR. Please contact us at 832-707-1585 or visit us at vertexgpr.com/contact.

What do we see on the GPR screen?

Recently Vertex GPR performed an underground utility locate in Southeast Texas. We thought it would be fun to show what we see while scanning and how it relates to markings onsite.

As seen in the display below, an electric and water line were detected and marked. The data image below the picture is of the two utilities and how they appeared on the GPR screen. When we come across objects like this, we locate the horizontal center of the hyperbola and place a mark. We repeat this action along the utility’s path, thus creating the legal graffiti.

Utility Locate for Directional Bore

Vertex GPR recently performed an underground utility locate for a proposed 750LF directional bore. Ground Penetrating Radar along with Electromagnetic Detection were used for the locate. All findings were denoted with spray paint and marking flags. Additionally, a thorough walk through was performed with the customer to explain each located utility.

When the project was finished, it was on time with zero strikes.

Houston, TX

Unidentified Utility Traveling Directly Through Proposed Soil Bore

Vertex GPR recently performed an underground utility locate for proposed soil borings. At the location shown in the picture below, one shallow utility was located with ground penetrating radar. The path of the unknown utility traveled directly though the center of the proposed boring.

Due to this GPR scan being performed, the location of the soil bore was moved and drilling was executed with zero strikes.

Southeast, TX

Private Underground Utility Locate, Houston, TX

Vertex GPR was hired to perform an underground utility locate in an empty lot. Using Radio Detection and Ground Penetrating Radar, a total of 4 utility lines were able to be located. These utilities were denoted with marking flags allowing for easy identification.

Locating Underground Electrical Lines. Houston, TX

Vertex GPR was recently contacted to perform an underground utility locate. The picture below is an example of how one of the utilities detected was marked out. This underground electrical line was successfully detected using radio detection- sometimes referred to as electromagnetic detection.  Pin flags and spray paint were used to denote the exact location of it's path. 

Utilities In and Directly Below Slab-On-Grade

Vertex GPR was called out to scan a slab on grade that was going to be saw cut. As can be seen in the picture below, there were multiple utilities in and directly under the slab on grade. These utilities were marked with each of their depths labeled on the surface as well. This allowed for precise cutting and safety. This is a perfect example of where ground penetrating radar is able to be optimized to its fullest. X-ray, while a great technology, it cannot image a slab on grade. 

Utility Locate

Vertex GPR was hired to locate utilities on a private commercial property. Vertex GPR used ground penetrating radar and radio detection to perform the locate. The picture below is a portion of the property that was scanned. The red paint and flags denote electrical lines and the yellow flags and paint denote a gas line.