- 1). Look for utility boxes in the yard and on the side of the home. Electric, phone and cable lines will come out of the ground into a utility box. These are the first indicators as to where underground wires and cables may be located.
- 2). Search through graphic information system, or GIS, maps. Some towns and cities have GIS maps showing the location of buried lines and cables. You will need to know the latitude and longitude of your property, along with the city, town or county lot number. These should be on the deed to your home.
- 3). Call your local utility company. Most cities and towns offer "call before you dig" numbers by which you can inquire about the location of underground cables. Use the information given to pinpoint the general positions of the cables.
- 4). Use a ground penetrating radar, or GPR, device to find the actual cables. Once you know the general location, a GPR device maps out the exact location. Place small wooden stakes every few feet along the path of the cable to identify the no-dig zone.
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