Detection of underground services (pipes / cables) and leak detection

Question

@ While excavating for new pipe line work we invariably break underground services like pipe lines and cables. There are some detection equipment. Can you guide on their efficacy and use for leak detection also?

Vageesh Nonavinakere · Answer

Before digging the ground, suggest you to coordinate with other utilities/authorities/companies for their services location plans (such as power/telecom/municipalities drains/OFC etc.,). This will minimise/prevent damages to the existing services. If you cannot get service location plans, then do trial pits at several intervals to detect existing services. Based on this prior investigation, you can eliminate the disruption of services. 
As suggested by other members of this forum, there are several hand held service locating  devices available in the market but have certain limitations as well (up to a certain depth). They are a good starting point if you can afford the cost of procuring such devices.

Mark Beatty · Answer

If the pipe is metallic and conductive (Iron, Steel, Copper) or has a tracer wire, a standard pipe and cable locator will do the job very accurately. You can detect location and depth and is generally the least expensive tool. Different types of materials and underground will effect the choice of models such as single vs. multiple frequency, or the power output of the transmitter.
On non-metallic pipe such as PVC or HDPE, there are methods such as acoustic locating and glass fiber push rods that can be used with a pipe locator. I have an article on locating non-metallic pipe linked here.

Karsten Sedmera · Answer

Yes, CAT, GENNY, and other detectors of the like are useful for most utility cables, but sonic-resonance tools are an ideal way to detect nearly any type of pipe/conveyance network. I only wish sonic-resonance tools were more applicable to detecting karst conduits/sinkholes.

Paul Murphy · Answer

Hi yashpal,
in response to your question, metallic pipes and cables can be traced using a cat and Genny, Cscope is one type that you can Google. These will not find leaks for this you will require a correlator, correlation loggers and a ground Mike for pinpointing. If you require more detailed information please don't hesitate to contact me my email is paul@worldwidewaterconsultants.com
I am not a salesman for any company so you will get an unbiased opinion.
Regards
Paul

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