How to Locate Underwater Cable Lines & Buried Pipe

Purchase equipment designed for locating underground utilities. Research manufacturers and products on the Internet. There are many companies that sell these products and a wide range of products available, from hand-held transmitters to equipment installed on pushcarts. Once you've purchased a product, read and follow the instructions before use.

Call your state's utility commission. In many states, you are required to notify the utility before beginning excavation or digging. The utility may be able to locate underground utilities for you or direct you to a service that will do so. For instance, Dig Safe is a New England-based nonprofit organization that locates underground utilities and marks them free of charge.

Hire an underground utility locating service. Look in the phone book or search online for companies that perform this service. These companies use state of the art electronic equipment to locate utilities that traditional methods that other methods may not uncover.