Insights & Updates
From the Field
Industry insights, case studies, and perspectives on utility locating from our team and leadership.
What We Look for Before Recommending Verification
Verification isn’t something we recommend automatically. From the field, we look for specific conditions that indicate when confirmation is necessary.
The Most Common Cause of Utility Damage Isn’t Bad Locates
When utility damage happens, the first assumption is often that the locate was wrong. In reality, that’s rarely the full story. From the field, we see damage occur most often because decisions were made without verification. Markings were interpreted as exact locations. Depth was assumed. Changes in direction weren’t confirmed. Private utilities were overlooked.
Why Utility Locating Alone Isn’t Always Enough
Every project starts with locating. It’s a necessary first step and one that no responsible team skips. But locating alone doesn’t always provide the certainty a project needs to move forward safely. We see this most often on sites with multiple phases of development, older infrastructure, or a mix of public and private utilities. Even when markings are clear, questions remain—especially around depth, direction, and proximity to planned work.
When UV Pipe Repair Is the Right Solution — and When It Isn’t
UV pipe repair is a valuable tool. It’s efficient, minimally disruptive, and in the right situation, it can restore pipe integrity without excavation. But it’s not the right solution for every pipe, every defect, or every project.
What Geode Has Changed — and What It Hasn’t
Geode has changed how we collect and visualize underground utility data. There’s no question about that. It gives us stronger positioning, cleaner data capture, and better ways to communicate what we’re seeing in the field. For the right projects, it’s a powerful tool.
Why New Technology Only Matters If You Know How to Use It
There’s no shortage of new technology in the underground utility world. Every year, tools get faster, software gets smarter, and equipment promises more precision than the version before it.
Lessons from the Field: When As-Builts Lie
A recent project in the Charlotte area reminded us why we never rely solely on existing documentation. Here's what we found—and what it cost the project.