- 1995 - Gilco Group founded
- 1-16-17 - AT&T Locate Morgan Territory
- 2-03-17 - Catalina Island Locate Avalon CA
- 2-15-17 - PGE Locate in Albany CA
- 2-17-17 - From 1995 up to and including today, we have had NO utilities damaged after we have located.
non traceable water lines
When it comes to locating main water lines such as fire hydrants, no one does it better than us!!! We have and maintain the best available equipment. We can connect to the hydrant letting the flow of the water help us locate a water main that otherwise can not be detected by any other means.
I started Gilco Group to accomplish one goal and one goal only: Make expertise in the residential and commercial construction trades available to anyone tackling a major construction project.
ELECTROMAGNETIC LOCATOR
What is an electromagnetic locator?
An electromagnetic locator, or, pipe and cable locator, is used for tracing utility lines and metallic pipes, and clearing excavation and drilling locations. These utility locators consist of two main parts, a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter emits a frequency selected by the operator that induces onto nearby pipes and cables. The receiver detects these radio frequencies, and the operator is able to accurately locate and trace the pipes and cables. Underground utility locating requires the use of a few different methods in order to accurately mark buried lines.
UTILITY LOCATING METHODS
Direct connection to gas service tracer wire
This is the preferred method for locating metallic utility lines. It is the most accurate method providing the most options for the technician locating a buried utility line.
The transmitter is placed next to an access point for the target line being traced (typically a valve, utility box, utility vault, or other point where direct contact with line can be made). A connection lead from the transmitter is connected to the target line and a second lead is connected to ground.
The transmitter is adjusted for frequency and power output to match the properties of the target line being traced, surrounding soil and other utilities nearby. Application of the correct frequency is essential to prevent electromagnetic coupling or bleed off to other metallic utilities or objects.
The receiver is then set to the same frequency as the transmitter, gain control adjusted accordingly, and the signal which is sent from the transmitter through the target line is traced and marked on the surface..
Ring Clamp Induction
Ring Clamp Induction is used to induce a signal onto a metallic cable or conduit where direct connection is not an option.
A ring clamp is connected to the transmitter in place of connection leads and then clamped around desired metallic pipe or cable. Signal travels from transmitter to a coil within the clamp and onto the target line.
The receiver is set to the same frequency as the transmitter as with direct connection and the target line is traced and marked on the surface.
Induction
Induction is used when there is no surface access to the target line. Induction is the least desirable method of locating due to the massive amount of electromagnetic coupling, or bleed off that is created. Induction method, when used properly is an invaluable locate method.
The transmitter is placed on the surface, and over the point where the target line is thought to run.
Once the target line is located, it is then traced with the receiver using the same method as direct connection.
This method can also be used to perform an inductive search to locate unknown or abandoned lines. [inductive search services]
some recent History
GROUND PENETRATING RADAR
Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) is a geophysical method that uses radar pulse to image the subsurface. This nondestructive method uses electromagnetic radiation in the microwaveband (UHF/VHF frequencies) of the radio spectrum, and detects the reflected signals from subsurface structures. GPR can have applications in a variety of media, including rock, soil, ice, fresh water, pavements and structures. In the right conditions, practitioners can use GPR to detect subsurface objects, changes in material properties, and voids and cracks.
GPR uses high-frequency (usually polarized) radio waves, usually in the range 10 MHz to 2.6 GHz. A GPR transmitter emits electromagnetic energy into the ground. When the energy encounters a buried object or a boundary between materials having different permittivities, it may be reflected or refracted or scattered back to the surface. A receiving antenna can then record the variations in the return signal. The principles involved are similar to seismology, except GPR methods implement electromagnetic energy rather than acoustic energy, and energy may be reflected at boundaries where subsurface electrical properties change rather than subsurface mechanical properties as is the case with seismic energy.
The electrical conductivity of the ground, the transmitted center frequency, and the radiated power all may limit the effective depth range of GPR investigation. Increases in electrical conductivity attenuate the introduced electromagnetic wave, and thus the penetration depth decreases. Because of frequency-dependent attenuation mechanisms, higher frequencies do not penetrate as far as lower frequencies. However, higher frequencies may provide improved resolution. Thus operating frequency is always a trade-off between resolution and penetration. Optimal depth of subsurface penetration is achieved in ice where the depth of penetration can achieve several thousand metres (to bedrock in Greenland) at low GPR frequencies. Dry sandy soils or massive dry materials such as granite, limestone, and concrete tend to be resistive rather than conductive, and the depth of penetration could be up to 15-metre (49 ft). In moist and/or clay-laden soils and materials with high electrical conductivity, penetration may be as little as a few centimetres.
MAPPING AND PROOFING
WHAT IS MAPPING AND PROOFING?
Design and construction projects in areas of concentrated underground utilities require precise utility location information to avoid costly delays, conflicts, redesigns, safety hazards and service disruptions. Using computer- design, provides a user-friendly, flexible method for analyzing and applying the information generated by subsurface utility engineering. While subsurface utility surveying provides straightforward information indicating utility location, subsurface utility mapping provides multiple levels of sophisticated, descriptive information about underground utilities.
SONDE & DUCT ROD FOR PROOFING
Detectable Duct Rod
A locating sonde is used when there is surface access to a buried pipe, but the pipe is non-metallic and not capable of carrying an EM signal. The sonde is a beacon that radiates it's own set frequency which can be traced by a receiver. Applications include empty conduits, drain and sewer lines.
A Duct Rod is a flexible, detectable line that is pushed into drains, conduits and sewer lines which carries a signal from the transmitter using the direct connection method. The duct rod can be used together with a sonde attached to it.
The sonde is pushed or pulled through the pipe, conduit or sewer line with a duct rod and then traced using the direct connection method.
Gilco Group Inc.
CA Locating / CA Traffic Control / Advanced Telecommunications lic#803509
mission
We live, eat & breathe construction in all its forms. Keeping construction going strong in this country is day-to-day mission.
methodology
At Gilco Group, we've taken our collective experience to create our own methodology to keep your project on track and under budget.
Sewer camera locating
Video Inspection of Pipe, Sewers and Storm Drains: Storm drains and sewers can now be videotaped and located using state-of-the-art technology which includes push cameras for pipes 1" to 10" in diameter, and our new computerized mainline tractor system for pipes 6" to 30" and larger. We have the smallest and longest push cameras on the market. Using our push camera system, we can now video tape and locate side sewers, empty conduits and virtually any pipe or conduit (for example, telephone and cable conduits built to accommodate future capacity). These new systems provide the most up to date and complete locating and damage prevention services in the industry.
results
We know that you're reputation is only as good as the results of your last job. That's why we proud ourselves on a results-oriented approach.
UNDERGROUND CONSTRUCTION
From trenching to trench less we do all aspects of Wet and Dry Utilities to include restoration. We work directly with the City, County and State inspectors and are in full compliance of all specifications and regulations.
We also place cables and in some cases like CATV we are equipped to splice and sweep as well.
We specialize in asphalt and concrete restoration to make a on stop shop.
Traffic Control
Typically, a worksite will be set up with warning signage well in advance of the actual work area. This may involve "Roadworks Ahead", temporary speed restrictions, "Worker Symbolic" (a stylized workman with a pile of rubble, black silhouette on a retroflective orange background), "Reduce Speed", "Lane Status" boards (indicating that some lanes on a multilane roadway will be closed), "Prepare to Stop" and advisory signs telling what is happening (e.g. Water Over Road, Trucks Entering, and Power Line Works Ahead). If lanes have been closed, large flashing arrows (Arrow Boards) on trailers may be utilized to give motorists hundreds of meters warning to move over. Motorists will be advised they are leaving a worksite by speed reinstatement or "End Roadworks" signs.
The worksite will usually involve closing a part of the road for the work area. How this is done depends on the type of road: on a multi-lane road, one or more lanes will be closed off and traffic merged into the remaining lane(s), using cones and "Chevron" signs and Arrow Boards to guide motorists. On a wide road, traffic could be "diverted" around the work area by using cones to define a new road centerline and another line of cones around the work area. Sometimes, it is necessary to close a road and detour traffic.
Often, the road is not wide enough to permit opposing streams of traffic past the work area. Then it is necessary to use "Stop/Slow Paddles", where each stream is allowed past the work area in turn. On an intersection, this may involve four or more streams. At signalised intersections, it may be necessary to have the traffic lights disabled.
Sometimes on dual carriageways, it is necessary to divert one carriageway onto the opposing carriageway, forming a "contraflow". This cannot be done "on the fly", as high-speed, high-volume traffic is involved, generating a huge risk to workers. In this case advisory signs will be erected weeks or even months in advance, and new lanes defined by bollards anchored firmly to the road-base will be installed, usually at night when traffic is expected to be Typically, a worksite will be set up with warning signage well in advance of the actual work area. This may involve (in Australia) "Roadworks Ahead", temporary speed restrictions, "Worker Symbolic" (a stylized workman with a pile of rubble, black silhouette on a retroflective orange background), "Reduce Speed", "Lane Status" boards (indicating that some lanes on a multilane roadway will be closed), "Prepare to Stop" and advisory signs telling what is happening (e.g. Water Over Road, Trucks Entering, and Power Line Works Ahead). If lanes have been closed, large flashing arrows (Arrow Boards) on trailers may be utilized to give motorists hundreds of meters warning to move over. Motorists will be advised they are leaving a worksite by speed reinstatement or "End Roadworks" signs.