I don't know much, but of one thing I'm certain! The best pipe locator in the world weighs about 8,000 lbs., and is available in any color you want, as long as it's YELLOW! (left). The cost is about 4 bucks per pound, too. But you knew this, already.

But here's something I betcha didn't know! Most of it true.

The first advancement in locating technology had its dubious beginning in 1903, with the invention of the coat hanger by Albert J. Parkhouse. And shortly thereafter in 1904, John Jefferson (JJ) Jenkins, an employee with the Jackson, MI water department, bet his co-workers that he could take a "wire hanger" and find a wooden pipe in a similar method as witching for water, which was somewhat popular in the early 1900's.

He found it, and won 2 bits (25c). JJ went to war in 1917, and used the device to locate German tunnels. (JJ later invented falling off a barstool after drinking a fifth, and his grandson invented tearing out a piece of the plastic lid on a coffee cup to drink through.)

After the war, and through today, several people tried variations of the "locator" until the modern version - complete with ball bearings - appeared in 1983.  And it works as well as the earlier versions - 

Which Are All Crap! WAKE UP! There's no scientific principal for the "wire", except it's voodoo, and satanic. So, if you use it, and swear by it, you're going straight to hell. Guaranteed.

Okay, Okay! Calm down. It's true that some people, sometimes, can use the wire to find a pipe, sometimes, maybe. Or, at least get to within 15 feet of the pipe. (Think about it.)

In this modern age, there does exist a better way. 2 or 3 actually, based on proven technology, but all are more expensive than JJ's invention:

1. Acoustic.
Banging on a hydrant with a hammer, or a tapping on a meter with a screwdriver, creates a sound on the pipe wall that can be traced above ground with a leak detector, or other acoustic monitoring device. How far away from the source you can trace is dependent on pipe material, soil covering and ambient (environmental) noise.  However, as JJ's grandson learned, it takes more than one person to do this. (Again, think about it!)

A few manufactures make devices which act like a second person, and will place "noise" either on the pipe wall, or into the water, some with claims of being able to trace a line for 1,000 feet. They offer 2 types of technology to do this.

One (by Metrotech) uses a battery powered device, with an adjustable frequency, to place a tapping sound on the exterior of just about anything. It's called the RSP3. Hook it up. Turn it on. And trace the sound. I like this method "cause I don't have to remove a meter, or pressurize a hydrant. However, the maximum distance I've been able to trace with a typical leak detector has been about 300 feet. Using their specialized HL5000 professional leak detector, with a special filter for the RSP3 sound, I've extended that distance to about 500 feet. Obviously, this method, although very doable, is very subject to ambient noises -  such as traffic - interfering with the locate. But, it works. About $2,200.00, plus a leak detector. We sell these.

Another, by Radio Detection (RD500), places a pressure wave, with a pulsing sound, into the water via a hydrant, or meter. Some have said that this method actually creates a tiny water hammer. I don't like it very well because it actually causes work. You have to remove the hydrant cap, place the device in its place, and pressurize the hydrant. For small service lines, you have to replace the meter with the device. If you've got one, use it. If you don't, buy something else. Up to $3,500 with acoustic receiver. We don't sell these. WORK! Remember?

2. Ground Penetrating Radar.
Looks like a lawnmower, generates squiggly lines, doesn't work everywhere. $10,000 - $50,000.00. We don't sell these, but have used them. Did not work in my yard, what the hell is it good for? Folks in Florida love it. Sort of. (Photo courtesy of GSSI)

3. High Frequency Microwave Modulation.
This technology belongs exclusively to the INNSPECTOR-07, which we sell. Under $5,000, works everywhere. This is the direction toward which you should be going. JJ would have loved this thing. UPSIDE? It locates everything. DOWNSIDE? It locates everything. For more information, download the Operator Manual, or watch the movie.

4. Electromagnetic Conductivity (EM)
This stuff is cool, expensive and really specialized. Used by S.U.E. contractors to completely map underground metallic facilities, sinkholes and other changes in the sub-terrainian environment. I have never seen it work on PVC locates, and you probably can't afford it for simple call-outs. See www.Geomodel.com for more information.

Well, that pretty much summarizes the history of non-metallic pipe locating. Hope you enjoyed it. Now buy the INNSPECTOR.

Bud Reed


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