Locating utiliies
- Thread starter BruceH
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bphgravity
Senior Member
- Location
- Florida
Re: Locating utiliies
I think that would probably be a good idea if your not sure what is running through the area. I wouldn't think there would be too much of a concern on typical residential lots though.
I think that would probably be a good idea if your not sure what is running through the area. I wouldn't think there would be too much of a concern on typical residential lots though.
mdshunk
Senior Member
- Location
- Right here.
Re: Locating utiliies
I don't. If you're driving them next to the house, you can look in the basement or crawl to see if you're gonna drive one through a sewer line or something. If there's a gas meter on that side of the house, you can hunt the curb stop and site a straight line to connect the two to stay out of the way.
Good question, though. I've often wondered if anyone does call for a locate to drive rods. Naturally, I call for a locate for all trenching operations.
I don't. If you're driving them next to the house, you can look in the basement or crawl to see if you're gonna drive one through a sewer line or something. If there's a gas meter on that side of the house, you can hunt the curb stop and site a straight line to connect the two to stay out of the way.
Good question, though. I've often wondered if anyone does call for a locate to drive rods. Naturally, I call for a locate for all trenching operations.
hurk27
Senior Member
- Location
- Portage, Indiana NEC: 2008
Re: Locating utiliies
I drove one through a water line once. The contractor who installed it ran it next to the foundation saving him some digging to get to the place it went inside, when they dug it up to repair it, they found the gas line right next to it.
[ November 04, 2005, 09:37 PM: Message edited by: hurk27 ]
I drove one through a water line once. The contractor who installed it ran it next to the foundation saving him some digging to get to the place it went inside, when they dug it up to repair it, they found the gas line right next to it.
[ November 04, 2005, 09:37 PM: Message edited by: hurk27 ]
jeff43222
Senior Member
- Location
- Minneapolis, Minnesota
Re: Locating utiliies
It never occurred to me to call before driving a ground rod. The houses I work in generally have water and gas coming into the front of the basement and electric in the back, so that hasn't been a concern. I guess it makes sense to at least check the basement near where the ground rod is going to go to double check, though.
It never occurred to me to call before driving a ground rod. The houses I work in generally have water and gas coming into the front of the basement and electric in the back, so that hasn't been a concern. I guess it makes sense to at least check the basement near where the ground rod is going to go to double check, though.
marissa2
Senior Member
- Location
- Connecticut
Re: Locating utiliies
In CT if you use a electric impact hammer you are suppose to call "Call Before You Dig" first. But if you use a slide hammer you don't.
Lou
In CT if you use a electric impact hammer you are suppose to call "Call Before You Dig" first. But if you use a slide hammer you don't.
Lou
busman
Senior Member
- Location
- Northern Virginia
- Occupation
- Master Electrician / Electrical Engineer
Re: Locating utiliies
I thought about calling for a ground rod about 2 years ago and asked my boss at the time. He looked at me like I had three heads. Guess it never occured to him. I am on my own now and use a combination hammer to drive ground rods. I survey the construction as mentioned. I might now think twice about calling Miss-Utility.
Mark
I thought about calling for a ground rod about 2 years ago and asked my boss at the time. He looked at me like I had three heads. Guess it never occured to him. I am on my own now and use a combination hammer to drive ground rods. I survey the construction as mentioned. I might now think twice about calling Miss-Utility.
Mark
- Location
- Windsor, CO NEC: 2017
- Occupation
- Service Manager
Re: Locating utiliies
Next to the house is fairly safe.
Temps at the street give me the willies.
Next to the house is fairly safe.
Temps at the street give me the willies.
petersonra
Senior Member
- Location
- Northern illinois
- Occupation
- engineer
Re: Locating utiliies
its free in illinois too. I'd be inclined to call.
its free in illinois too. I'd be inclined to call.
pierre
Senior Member
- Location
- Westchester County, New York
Re: Locating utiliies
Two stories
I installed ground rods for a simple 200 amp service upgrade. The homeowner (very nice people) calls me and tells me Rotor Router is there and that I caused the sewer system to back up ...HMMM???. I went and as I drove up the block, I see a backhoe and piles of dirt... when I look in the trench, there are my groundrods, driven through the waste in two locations and it had collapsed - $ 3500.00
A good friend of mine had a simple 200 amp service to install in a very urban neighborhood. His guy drove the groundrod through a gas pipe...
The fire department was called, as well as the Utility company. Evacuation of the entire neighborhood (which included a few small businesses) and the time for repair - this occured in the late afternoon - people had to stay at friends or hotels, businesses closed.... his bill.... you do not want to know - his fine $ 5,000.00. it was a simple $ 2,000.00 upgrade that almost put him out of business.
Calling for the FREE markout is not so hard for him anymore.
Two stories
I installed ground rods for a simple 200 amp service upgrade. The homeowner (very nice people) calls me and tells me Rotor Router is there and that I caused the sewer system to back up ...HMMM???. I went and as I drove up the block, I see a backhoe and piles of dirt... when I look in the trench, there are my groundrods, driven through the waste in two locations and it had collapsed - $ 3500.00
A good friend of mine had a simple 200 amp service to install in a very urban neighborhood. His guy drove the groundrod through a gas pipe...
The fire department was called, as well as the Utility company. Evacuation of the entire neighborhood (which included a few small businesses) and the time for repair - this occured in the late afternoon - people had to stay at friends or hotels, businesses closed.... his bill.... you do not want to know - his fine $ 5,000.00. it was a simple $ 2,000.00 upgrade that almost put him out of business.
Calling for the FREE markout is not so hard for him anymore.
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