Private Utility Locating
Accuracy starts below the surface.
“We See What Others Can’t. We Locate What Others Won’t.”
SDL Utility Locating provides professional private utility detection using advanced electromagnetic (EM) locating technology. Our certified technicians identify and mark underground utilities that are not covered by 811, giving you a complete picture of what lies beneath your project site before you dig.
We help protect workers, prevent costly damage, and keep projects on schedule by delivering precise and dependable locate results. Whether you’re preparing for excavation, directional boring, or site development – our job is to make sure you know what’s underground before breaking ground.
Why Private Locating Matters
Public 811 services only mark utilities owned and maintained by utility companies — typically up to the meter or service connection. Private utility locating fills that critical gap by identifying everything beyond 811, including customer-owned infrastructure on private, commercial, or industrial property.
Our private locating services are essential for:
- Construction and excavation contractors
- Property developers and engineers
- Facility and maintenance managers
- Municipal, data center, and campus environments
- Residential homeowners and builders
Our Locating Methods
We use both active and passive electromagnetic locating methods depending on site conditions and the utility type. This approach ensures full coverage and accuracy across every job site.
EM Locating – Active
Active EM locating involves transmitting a controlled frequency through a conductive utility line such as electrical, communication, or signal cables. Our technicians connect to accessible points like meters, risers, valves, or exposed conductors to energize the line and trace its exact underground path.
This method provides high-accuracy results for buried systems such as:
- Power and communication lines
- Street and parking lot lighting lines
- High-voltage power ducts
- Data and fiber conduit systems
EM Locating – Passive
Passive locating detects naturally occurring electromagnetic signals on buried conductors, such as live power or active communication lines. It is used when direct connection points are unavailable or when identifying multiple lines within congested areas.
By combining active and passive techniques, SDL Utility Locating delivers maximum precision and reliability even in complex sites containing multiple buried utility lines.
What We Locate
Our private utility locating services include identifying and marking:
- Electric, communication, and fiber lines
- Gas and water services
- Sewer laterals and storm systems
- Street and parking lot lighting circuits
- Power and fiber duct systems
- Other privately owned underground facilities
Why Choose SDL Utility Locating
- Comprehensive Detection — EM Locating & GPR for complete subsurface coverage
- Experienced Technicians — Trained professionals skilled in complex site conditions
- Compliance & Safety — Meeting Illinois and OSHA excavation standards
- Rapid Scheduling — Flexible and efficient service for urgent or large-scale projects
- Professional Integrity — Protecting people, property, and infrastructure on every job
At SDL Utility Locating, accuracy isn’t just our goal — it’s our commitment.