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SEWER UTILITY LOCATES

Sewer Locating Requires a Specialized Approach

  • EM locators are not effective for most sewers — they’re made from non-conductive materials (clay, concrete, plastic).

  • Traditional tracing methods won’t work.

  • Camera + sonde is the only reliable way to trace and verify sewer lines.

Why We Use a Sonde to Locate Sewer Pipes

  • A sonde is a small device inserted into the pipe that emits a traceable signal.

  • This lets us trace the pipe’s path from above ground.

  • Standard EM locators can’t detect sewer lines without a sonde.

  • Limitations: the signal stops at metal, and depth weakens the signal.

Push Camera + Sonde: The Gold Standard in Sewer Locating

  • Push cameras have a built-in sonde and visual feed.

  • We can:

    • See the pipe condition

    • Identify T-connections and laterals

    • Confirm blockages, transitions, or damage

  • Push refusal isn’t a mystery — you can see what’s causing it.

  • Relying only on sondes without a camera is risky — we don’t do that.

CCTV Sewer Camera with built in sonde for sewer locating.

Challenges of Locating Sewer Lines

  • Deep sewer lines can be out of signal range.

  • Records are often incomplete or wrong.

  • Transitions between pipe materials (clay to metal) kills the sonde signal.

  • Visual confirmation helps us avoid guesswork.

Why Accurate Sewer Locates Matter — Including Cross Bores

When sewer lines aren’t properly located, excavation and maintenance work can trigger serious risks:

  • Cutting through lateral sewer lines that connect buildings to the main.

  • Striking unknown private connections or blind T-intersections that don’t appear on site drawings.

  • Damaging deep runs of pipe where no infrastructure was expected.

  • Severing cross bores — where a gas or communication line was unknowingly bored through a sewer lateral.

 

These cross bores are especially dangerous. If a blocked sewer is cleared using a mechanical auger or high-pressure jetting, it can cut into a gas line that's piercing the pipe — with potentially deadly consequences.

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That’s why we use push camera and sonde technology for every sewer locate. It’s not just best practice — it’s the only reliable way to:

  • Verify the condition and alignment of the pipe,

  • Identify any foreign utility intrusions,

  • And reduce the risk of accidental utility strikes during excavation or sewer clearing.

Know Before You Dig: Our Process

At Know Before You Dig Locates:

  • We use camera and sonde every time — no guesswork.

  • We mark the true path and depth of the line.

  • We help you avoid strikes, delays, and rework.

  • You’ll know what’s underground — and what to expect.

Sewer Locates That Protect Your Crew, Property, and Peace of Mind.
Serving Dallas-Fort Worth and all of Texas.
📞 1-800-905-8204 or Request a Quote Online

CONTACT US 

Have any questions? Send us an email at dispatch@knowbeforeyoudig.com,

call 1-800-905-8204, or book a locate by clicking the button below.

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