We can locate and trace:

• water
• gas
• electrical
• sewer
• stormwater services

Using Radio Detection Sonde technology,  PVC and other non-metallic pipes can be located accurately and blockages pinpointed.

A pipe locator is a device which is designed to locate buried pipes underground. Pipe locators work in a number of different ways, and can vary in cost considerably.  When service needs to be performed on a buried utility, a pipe locator can be used to find the pipe, minimizing the amount of digging which needs to be done to track it down. Pipe locators are also used to identify potential hazards before digging, ensuring that pipes and utility lines are not accidentally severed during digging. Damaging utilities with careless digging can be a costly mistake, as some people have learned to the hard way. We specialize in pipe locating saving our customers very costly mistakes when attempting to locate buried piping on their own.

Skill and experience are required to operate a pipe locator, especially an advanced model which has a number of different functions. Pipe locators  are also used to map out underground utilities in a yard or area for general reference. For example, someone moving into a new home might want to know about the approximate location of buried utilities, as this information could be useful to have when problems develop or when yard work is being performed. While utilities do tag underground lines with signs, sometimes the signs are dislodged, removed, or accidentally moved, which means that the presence of a sign does not necessarily indicate that there's a pipe underneath it, and the lack of a sign doesn't mean it's safe to dig.

Types of pipes

Copper pipe is ideal for ½ inch and 1 inch water supply lines leading from the main water supply pipe to household sinks and toilets. Copper is popular with plumbing contractors because it is clean, doesn't rust and is very reliable for both hot and cold water delivery. Copper pipes provide trouble-free service for decades. Copper pipes will freeze and burst if left exposed to the elements. This is only a problem if the pipes run through the outer walls of your home so be sure those walls contain plenty of insulation.

PEX tubing looks something like a garden hose but it's much stronger and more reliable. Its flexibility and strength make it as reliable as copper but easier for plumbers to work with. PEX stands for cross-linked polyethylene and it is being used increasingly for water supply lines as a low cost alternative to copper piping. Developed in the 1960s, PEX has been used in Europe for decades but was only introduced to the U.S. in the 1980s. No material is freeze-proof but PEX is freeze- resistant and can expand and contract if the water inside freezes.

PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) pipe is the most common material used today for household drainpipes and vents. It comes in a wide variety of sizes and is durable and reliable. It is finding renewed acceptance as a copper substitute in pressurized water supply lines. It has long been popular for drainage and sewage piping. PVC pipe is inexpensive and popular with plumbing contractors because its joints fit tightly together to resists root intrusion and it is easy to repair. It can be quickly glued together to provide decades of trouble-free service.

Orangeburg, also known as fibre conduit pipe, was a tarpaper-like material used for sewer lines from the 1860s through the 1970s. It became common again during World War II when iron and other materials were diverted to the war effort. Orangeburg pipe is very susceptible to root intrusion and has fallen out of favor with building code writers.

Cast Iron pipes are tough and reliable. Today they are more commonly found in commercial and municipal applications than in residential plumbing. However, iron pipes can be found in older homes. Cast iron resists corrosion and can last 100 years or more under ideal conditions. Plumbers work with cast iron drainage pipes, water supply lines and natural gas lines.

Lead pipes have fallen out of favor today due to the danger of lead-related illnesses and health problems. Lead was the most common type of pipe for centuries because it was easy to work with. The word "plumbing" actually is derived from the Latin word for lead, "plumbum." If you have lead water supply lines, your water should be tested to determine the exposure level of your home. Johnson Plumbing recommends replacing lead pipes with safer materials. At the very least, you should always run the tap for two or three minutes after it feels cold before drinking it or cooking with it.

Galvanized steel pipes have also fallen out of favor in new construction. After years of use, minerals from water react with the galvanizing material to cause scale build up inside the pipe. This will eventually narrow the diameter of the pipe resulting in lower water pressure and reduced volume.