Soft-Dig

Soft-dig is a term used to describe a method of removing the earth (sand, mud, dirt, clay, rocks, roadbed, etc.) from around a buried Utility such as Gas, High Pressure Jet Fuel Lines, Fiber Optic, Water, Sewer, Electric, Cable TV & Phone lines, with Vacuum Excavation, and exposing the Utility without causing any Damage to it, or surrounding, Utility.

When a Power Company prepares to put an auger in the ground in preparation for a Proposed Pole installation, (or anyone digging even with a shovel, anywhere in Florida), the law states that they must first notify the Sunshine State One Call service, and give them the address of the proposed dig. The Florida State One Call service is an organization which represents all the various Utility owners, whose representatives are then notified of the area of the proposed dig. The reps are then dispatched to the dig site and given 48 hours to put their surface marks on the ground (or give reasons for not marking and request additional time), which represent their best effort at determining the buried Utility's location.

After this 48 hour (two full business days not including the day the call was made and the 'ticket' was issued) period is up, Soft-digs at the various proposed dig site(s) can be performed to determine the exact location of all Utilities which are in conflict with the dig, or that are close enough to need verification.

A reason for a Soft-dig being done is that Surface Locating Equipment has the potential for inaccurate readings*, given the right scenario of infrastructure circumstances and soil conditions. Another reason is the Human Element where underground Utilities were mismarked, unmarked or when no one even bothers to come out and mark their respective Utility.

There can and have been horrendous accidents, with loss of life & property, when the most prudent efforts at Damage Prevention have not been adhered to.

We, at Southeast Locates, are experts at doing Soft-digs using our unique procedure of Discovery Work at determining the exact location of buried Utility lines. If you want the best in Damage Prevention to Buried Utilities, call us.