u/g services question

[Lump]

im getting a fence put up out the front & the installers want me to sign an indemnity just in case they hit something when they core drill a hole for the gate post - where the red X is shown in the foto.

the long red line is the diving boundary with my neighbour (and their brick fence is in the pic)

we have underground power and there is a telstra pit in the foto, what i want to know is what are the chances of hitting something when they drill, because i 'think' those kind of services wouldnt be run near the boundary??




http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s6/andyevo/a2-1.jpg


http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s6/andyevo/a1-1.jpg

[TJ]

Ahh, quite high.

Tell them to get the dial before you dig plans sorted. If you sign, and they bust a service, expect at least a 10k bill. I know one company got a 900k bill from Telstra after busted one of their fibre cables.

[shifted]

Call dial before you dig and check what is there.

We have cable locating equipment at work however it is up north at the moment.

Quick check, get two bits of copper wire (maybe 30cm long) bend into L shape and hold onto the smaller side in your fist just loosely so they don't fall out... walk perpendicular to the line you suspect the services are going, have them pointing forward initially, if they bend in towards each other as you walk along there will be some sort of service there (be it water, sewer, comms, power) - more so used for water though. Anyway, this method DOES work for some, doesn't for others. worked for our teams up north when we had to map 7 RTio sites...

[TJ]

Does not work for water services in mdpe.

[bettsc]

That technique is called "dowsing" if I remember correctly. It sounds weird but it does work. It helps if you have your mind as clear as possible, try not to think about anything while you do it. Getting the DBYD drawings is the best bet, but even if you had the drawings I would still dig a small pothole first, just to make sure. When I was installing and servicing underground power I learnt that things aren't always where they say they are on the drawing. Just go easy with the shovel if you make a pothole. I have found comms and power cables buried without protection before...

[miss_petepie]

is that liquid limestone or a paver? cos if its a paver i dont understand why they would need to core drill it thats usually reserved for putting femces in limestone walls inst it?

[dane_r33]

If the power is run on your side and not a road crossing, it will from the boundary 0 - 500mm. Lv cable run closer to the boundary and hv after it. (usually). If the power is run in that easement, it may not be covered with a hard barrier. There should be danger tape then 300mm below that will be the cable.

The cable can be anywhere from 500mm down. Dial before you dig can tell you if its there. It cant tell you exactly how far or how deep it is.

As other people have said Pothole and even locate the underground service so you know where it is.

[Lump]

is that liquid limestone or a paver? cos if its a paver i dont understand why they would need to core drill it thats usually reserved for putting femces in limestone walls inst it?

its only paving, Im not sure myself why 2 different fencing companies said to core drill it, maybe because of footings for the wall?


the power dome is on the neighbours side right on the other side of the brick wall in the corner (2 feet away from the red X), so yeah will have to get them to hand dig it, seems like its a very risky spot.

great replies, thanks everyone.

[crabman]

Having you sign an indemnity form for their work....... I bet they have fucked up before and now insurance excesses are too high for them to be doing it again. Dodgy bros inc.

[Lump]

the company is called 'dura fenz'

http://www.durafenz.com.au.wvproxy.com/balustrading.html

[xr6tego]

Dial before you digs aren't worth shit. They are a guide only and don't cover you for fuck all. Dig the hole yourself, fuck its not that hard.

[gazza750]

1100 dial before you dig .It will be the fencing contractors responsibility to make sure he damages nothing if he wont do it properly you have a shit contractor who probably doesn't know what he is doing !

[Lump]

^
all the companies i got quotes for (4) had 'out clauses' - its the homeowners responsibility to locate u/g services - unless they hand dig. I'm going to get them to hand dig & use a jackhammer if they hit the edge of the wall footings, instead of 'core drilling' it.

i dont know why they suggested drilling & they didnt mention a separate indemnity form at the time either. i couldnt care less how they do it as long as i get the fence i want for the agreed 10k price.