Buried Drain Locating and Troubleshooting in Denver
An independent, licensed plumbing contractor. Not affiliated with Denver Water or the City and County of Denver.
Drain locating uses a sonde transmitter run through the pipe on a camera head to trace the exact path and depth of a buried drain line from the surface. Denver Sewer and Water uses locating to solve problems a camera alone cannot, including undocumented lines, mystery connections, and drains that cross property lines without a record.
- Sonde locating to trace buried drain lines from the surface.
- Depth marking before any excavation is planned.
- Undocumented line routes identified and recorded.
- Troubleshooting for symptoms with no obvious cause.
- Residential and commercial buried drain systems.
Get Your Free Quote!
When Do You Need a Buried Drain Located Rather Than Just Cameraed?
A camera survey tells you what condition the inside of the pipe is in. It does not by itself tell you where that pipe sits relative to the surface, unless a sonde is run alongside it and traced. On a property where nobody knows the drain's route, whether because records were never kept or because a previous owner did unpermitted work, locating is the step that turns a camera finding into an actionable plan.
We also use locating to troubleshoot symptoms that do not have an obvious cause: a wet spot in the yard with no visible fixture problem, a drain that backs up only when a specific area drain is used, or a suspected connection between two systems that should not be tied together.
(720) 935-6221When locating is the right call
- Excavation or trenchless repair is being planned and the exact route is unknown.
- A wet spot or settling ground suggests a leak with no visible source.
- A property has no as-built drawings for its buried drainage.
- A drain crosses a property line or runs under a structure built after the line was installed.
- A suspected illicit connection between drain, sewer, or storm systems needs confirming.
How We Diagnose It
How the Sonde Locate Works
The transmitter rides in the camera head as it moves through the pipe, and a handheld receiver on the surface picks up its signal, letting us walk the exact route above ground and mark it. At any point we can also read depth, which is what lets a repair crew dig in the right place instead of test-pitting along the suspected path.
Where the line runs under concrete, asphalt, or landscaping that cannot be disturbed for a test pit, this is the only practical way to confirm a route before committing to excavation.
What a locate produces
- A marked surface route of the buried line.
- Depth readings at intervals along the run.
- Confirmation or correction of any assumed path.
- A record the property owner keeps going forward.
How a Locating Call Runs
- 1
Camera the run with the sonde active
The transmitter travels with the camera head so location data is captured alongside condition.
- 2
Trace the signal from the surface
A handheld receiver follows the transmitter, letting us walk and flag the route above ground.
- 3
Mark depth at intervals
Depth readings are taken and recorded along the traced path, not just at the endpoints.
- 4
Document the findings
The marked route and depth data are handed over so future work does not start from scratch.
What Denver Customers Say About Working With Us
“Denver Water And Sewer did an excellent job replacing my sewer lines. Trevor and his crew are extremely competent, honest, professional and prompt.”
“Denver Sewer and Water was a great experience. We had been out of water due to a water main leak into the house for 2 weeks. They came out, gave a go”
“We had an underground water valve break on a Saturday. No fun and expensive to fix regardless of the repair company. Nevertheless, greatly apprecia”
What Drives Locating Cost
Line length and how much of the route is obstructed by paving, structures, or landscaping are the main factors. A straightforward yard run is quick to trace. A line running under a slab or through multiple property boundaries takes longer to walk and mark accurately.
Locating is usually paired with a camera survey rather than billed as a completely separate visit, since the equipment does both jobs at once.
Call (720) 935-6221 to get a buried line traced and marked.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Buried Drain Services
Drain Inspection and Cleaning
Camera-led inspection and cleaning of the buried drain line before anyone quotes work.
Explore Drain Inspection and CleaningDrain Scope and Video Inspection
Camera survey of the buried drain from the building foundation out to the main.
Explore Drain Scope and Video InspectionDrain Hydro Jetting
High pressure water jetting to strip roots, grease, and scale from a buried drain line.
Explore Drain Hydro JettingCommercial Drain Cleaning
Buried drain line service for restaurants, retail, and multi-tenant commercial property.
Explore Commercial Drain CleaningSewer Lines in Denver
The full sewer lateral lane: inspection, repair, and replacement.
Explore Sewer Lines in DenverOur Family of Companies
For related services, see our sister company partners in the same family of companies:
Nobody knows where your buried drain actually runs?
We trace it, mark it, and give you a record. Call (720) 935-6221.