Maya Ellison
Detecting plastic pipes underground can be a challenging task. Plastic pipes, such as those made of PVC, lack metal content, making them difficult to locate using traditional methods. Various techniques and tools are available to overcome this challenge, ranging from simple methods like using ground-rods and probes to detect vibrations, to more advanced technologies like Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and RTK-enabled devices. The choice of method depends on factors such as the material of the pipe, the accuracy required, and the resources available.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic pipe detection | Challenging due to the lack of conductivity |
| Metal pipe detection | Possible with metal detectors, magnetic field technology, and electromagnetic conductivity |
| Underground pipe locator | RTK-enabled devices, GPS systems, and radio frequencies can be used |
| Tracer wires | Attached to existing lines, emitting electric signals that strengthen when you get closer |
| Pipe locators | Metal detectors that send vibrations into the ground and listen for echoes |
| Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) | GPR produces 2D images of subsurface items, which can be converted to 3D with post-processing software |
| GPR effectiveness | GPR can detect any kind of pipe, including older clay pipes and non-conductive materials |
| GPR limitations | GPR units are large and don't work on all surfaces |
| Electromagnetic conductivity | Expensive and highly specialized; can be used as a wire or electrical locator but not for subsurface PVC pipe |
| Ferromagnetic detection | Can be used to map underground metal pipes |
| Dowsing rod method | Low accuracy, but some people use branches or L-shaped metal rods to detect underground objects |
| Wire tracing | Requires a conductor wire to be buried with the pipe; different wire colours represent pipe content |
| Sonde locators | Similar to cable locators, with a transmitter and receiver |
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What You'll Learn
Ground-penetrating radar (GPR)
GPR can detect a wide range of buried utilities, including gas, electrical, telecommunications, and water. GPR's signal detects materials commonly used for utilities, such as various types of pipes, conduit, wiring, and fiber optic cables. GPR can detect pipes of all sizes, and it can locate pipes regardless of whether they are full of water or another material.
Metal pipes are the easiest for GPR to detect due to their strong interaction with the radio signal. GPR can locate all varieties of PVC and plastic pipes as well. GPR can also detect cavities within a structure or underground. However, it is worth noting that GPR cannot measure the depth of a void.
GPR can detect variations within a ground surface, making it easy to detect most subsurface items located near the surface. GPR is especially effective at locating underground pipes made from PVC or other non-metallic materials. In these situations, other subsurface surveying methods are often unreliable or completely ineffective. With GPR, metal and plastic both reflect electromagnetic waves.
To use GPR to locate underground pipes, it is helpful to know the general location of the pipes and which direction they are running. Once you know where you are scanning, roll the unit in a straight line, perpendicular to the direction the pipes are running. When a reading appears, back the unit up and mark the location with a flag or paint.
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Electromagnetic conductivity
EM involves the use of radio frequencies that induce currents in metallic pipes. The frequencies emitted by a transmitter on the surface are re-radiated by the pipes, and a receiver detects the frequency to determine the location and depth of the pipes. However, this method has limited accuracy compared to RTK-enabled devices and cannot detect pipes that are poor conductors of electric and magnetic energy, such as plastic or terracotta pipes.
While GPR is often used to refer to Ground Penetrating Radar, it can also stand for electromagnetic conductivity. GPR is a type of electromagnetic conductivity that uses penetrating radar pulses to image underground pipes. GPR emits electromagnetic energy into the ground, and when this energy meets an underground pipe, it is scattered back to the surface, where the variation in the return signal is recorded by the GPR antenna.
GPR can be used to locate both conductive and non-conductive pipes. However, it relies on material property contrasts and may struggle to differentiate between and detect all underground objects. Additionally, in soils with high electrical conductivity, the signal strength is attenuated, reducing the depth of detection.
To accurately map underground utilities, it is good practice to use more than one independent method and compare the results. This can include combining electromagnetic conductivity with other techniques such as geophysical detection or magnetic surveys.
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Tracer wires
Once a pipe or other utility is installed, a tracer wire is placed along its length and buried. The wire is then searched for when the utility needs to be located. Although most of the wire is underground, each dead end is connected to a grounded point, creating a properly grounded tracer wire system that can be easily found by above-ground locating equipment.
To find underground wires, crews use a wire tracer, a device that emits a low-frequency signal to find the non-energized wire. The wire tracer can also be used with a metal detector. The tracer wire is attached to one of the existing lines, such as a sewer or water line, and the user walks along their property with the metal detector. The tracer wire emits an electric signal that gets stronger when the user gets closer to it.
There are some challenges to using tracer wires. Firstly, it is not always practical to retrofit a plastic water line with a tracer wire. Secondly, to optimize the distance a locator signal can travel, new tracer wires should be installed with waterproof connectors and grounding anodes. Each connection that is not waterproof can reduce signal quality. Additionally, tracer wires can be costly, with prices ranging from $300 to $3,500.
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$132.99 $139.99
Hand-held pipe finding tools
The AML All Materials Locator from Subsurface Instruments, Inc. is a popular choice for detecting PVC pipes. It uses Ultra High Radio Frequency technology to accurately locate non-conductive materials such as PVC. This device provides real-time data and pinpoints the exact location of buried objects, enhancing safety and efficiency.
Other hand-held tools for locating underground pipes include metal detectors, wire tracers, and utility locators. Metal detectors can detect ferrous metals like iron and steel but are ineffective for plastic pipes. Wire tracers, or locator wires, are attached to existing lines and emit electric signals that strengthen when you get closer to the pipe. Utility locators, or pipe locators, are metal detectors specifically designed to locate water lines. They send vibrations into the ground and interpret the sounds that bounce back. These tools can be purchased at major retailers or online, but keep in mind that they may have a learning curve and require training for accurate use.
When dealing with unmarked PVC pipes, you essentially have two options: manual probing or hiring a professional service. Manual probing involves repeatedly pushing a metal rod into the ground to physically locate the pipe, which can be time-consuming and frustrating. Engaging a professional utility locating service ensures accuracy and safety, especially for extensive excavations.
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Professional utility locating services
Plastic pipes are becoming more popular due to their strength and flexibility. However, their lack of metal content makes them challenging to detect using traditional methods such as metal detectors.
One advanced technology used by professional utility locating services is Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR). GPR accurately maps metal and non-metallic pipes, such as PVC and plastic, by emitting electromagnetic waves that penetrate the ground and detect objects with contrasting dielectric properties. GPR is especially useful when there is no access for a push-rod or camera, providing a non-invasive method to locate underground pipes.
Another method employed by professional utility locating services is electromagnetic conductivity. This technique detects electromagnetic signals and works effectively with conductive utilities like metal pipes and underground cables. While it may not be as accurate as GPR, it is useful in certain situations, such as arid regions where geophysical surveys are challenging.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic pipes are difficult to detect because they are non-conductive. Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) is one of the few methods that can detect plastic pipes. GPR produces a two-dimensional cross-section image of subsurface items, which can be converted into 3D images.
The best method to detect underground pipes is to use RTK-enabled devices, such as RTK GPS systems. These devices can penetrate dense materials and provide precise location data.
Metal detectors can be used to detect plastic pipes by using tracer wires. The tracer wire is attached to an existing line, such as a sewer or water line, and the user walks along their property with the metal detector. The tracer wire emits an electric signal that gets stronger when the user gets closer to the pipe.
The cheapest way to detect plastic pipes is to use divining rods or dowsing rods. This method is completely free and involves holding branches or rods over the ground and determining subsurface locations based on their movements. However, the accuracy of this method has been questioned.
GPR has some limitations when it comes to detecting underground pipes. Firstly, GPR units are large and may not be suitable for all surfaces. Secondly, GPR can be affected by ambient noises, such as traffic, which can impact the accuracy of the readings.
