The Problem with Plastic: Why PVC is Hard to Find
As construction materials have evolved, the use of PVC, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and other plastics for underground plumbing has skyrocketed. Today, plastic is the standard for irrigation systems, residential water mains, sewer laterals, and even some natural gas lines across Colorado.
While plastic pipes are incredibly durable and resistant to corrosion, they present a massive challenge for contractors and homeowners: they are invisible to traditional utility locators.
The Limitations of Traditional Locators
Most public utility locators (like those sent by 811) and basic private locators rely on Electromagnetic (EM) detection. EM locators work by sending a radio frequency signal through a continuous metal conductor.
If a pipe is made of copper, steel, or cast iron, the EM locator can trace it perfectly. But because plastic does not conduct electricity, an EM locator sweeping over a buried PVC pipe will register absolutely nothing. Digging based on an EM scan alone could lead you right into a high-pressure water main.
The Solution: Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)
To find non-metallic pipes, you need a technology that doesn’t rely on electromagnetism. You need Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR).
At JLP Tech, GPR is one of our most powerful tools. Instead of looking for an electrical current, our GPR equipment sends rapid pulses of high-frequency radar waves into the ground.
How GPR Detects Non-Metallic Targets
When the radar waves travel through the soil, they bounce back whenever they hit a change in material density. It doesn’t matter if that material is metal, plastic, concrete, or even an air void.
When the radar wave hits a buried PVC pipe, the signal reflects back to our equipment, creating a distinct hyperbolic shape on our technician’s screen. By analyzing these reflections, our certified GPR technicians can accurately determine the precise location and depth of the plastic pipe.
Common Non-Metallic Utilities We Locate
Using our advanced GPR technology, JLP Tech routinely locates a variety of hard-to-find private utilities across the Denver metro area and throughout Colorado, including:
- Irrigation and Sprinkler Mains: Preventing expensive landscaping damage during yard renovations or fence installations.
- Sewer Laterals: Mapping out PVC or clay sewer lines running from the house to the municipal main.
- Septic Systems: Locating concrete or plastic septic tanks and the PVC leach field lines extending from them.
- Empty Conduits: Finding buried plastic pipes laid down for future electrical or telecommunications wiring.
Dig Safely with JLP Tech
If you are planning an excavation project in Colorado and suspect there may be modern plumbing or irrigation lines on the property, do not rely on metal detectors or guesswork.
Contact JLP Tech today. Our comprehensive private utility locating services utilize both EM and GPR technologies, ensuring that every line—whether it is made of steel, copper, or PVC—is accurately mapped before you break ground.