Before you dig there are a lot of things you have to factor in. The first thing to think about is why are you digging? Are you performing a simple back yard project that requires a shallow hole for a tree or a garden area? This might seem like it is a harmless task and that you can just go out with your tiller or shovel and get it done on the spot. This is not true.
If you live in a residential area you most likely have wires and plumbing running under ground. The plumbing should be deep enough that a shallow hole or garden will not come close to the path of the pipes. All plumbing pipes must be far enough underground that they avoid the frost zone during the winter months. Theoretically electrical lines should also be deep enough that you will not hit them with a tiller or shovel for minor back yard projects. Cable lines and electric lines are not always as deep as we would hope. Sometimes it is due to ground erosion and other times it is human error. If you hit one of these wires while digging, you could become electrocuted and it could have dire repercussions.
There are utility line locator companies in every state across the US. These services are free, and you simply call to set up an appointment for a crew to come out and locate the underground wires. They will then mark the spots in your yard with yellow or red paint. These are indication marks so that you know not to dig in those locations.
These types of back yard digging projects are miniscule in comparison to larger construction sites. In rural areas there are most likely not going to be underground electrical wires, but it is still recommended to have the ground scanned so that construction crews know what they are dealing with before they ever break ground. These rural construction sites are for new home owners associations as expansion continues to be a driving force created by the ever growing population and they are also for infrastructure. These locations are ideal for larger warehouses and industries.
Before construction crews preform something called drilling and blasting salt lake city ut and cities coast to coast all hire in the professionals to check for underground concerns. The crews also acquire all of the necessary equipment to begin the first phase of the construction job. If the site is to be built on a rockier topography more blasting will be necessary to create a stable and workable service. Climate is also taken into consideration for construction jobs.
Many construction jobs are schedule to take place during peak quality climate seasons. This allows for crews to work longer days with fewer bad weather days off. The goal of larger construction sites is to have them built quickly and of high quality. The sooner the project is completed the sooner the construction company can begin working on their next big project.
