The Power of Sonar: A High-Tech Way to Map Your Drains

How Does Sonar Drain Tracing Work? 

So what is sonar and how does it work? Sometimes called ‘sonding’, the process of sonar drain tracing works by putting a sonde (a self-contained sonar transmitter) onto a crawler device – this could be a flexible rod or a camera, for example. This sonde is then fed deep into the drain.

At each position that the engineer wants to take a reading from, the transmitter will send a sonar pulse outwards in a circular configuration. A trained technician will be waiting above ground with a receiver device to take the reading – they will be able to adjust and prepare the receiver to take accurate measurements depending on the sonar frequency emitted.

Measuring these pulses allows the experts to not only pinpoint the location of a drain or a drain issue, but also determine how deep down the drain is by measuring the distance between the sonde underground and receiver device above ground.

The Benefits of Sonar Technology

• Relays the accurate depth and location of a drain, allowing for a drainage plan to be drawn up – making it an essential part of a project’s planning process.
• Avoids costly accidents – for example, if a drain is hit and damaged, this could result in delays and expense to rectify it.
• Can identify collapsed drains or drain blockages, allowing for quick diagnosis and correction.
• Gives up-to-date readings that can be trusted above old drain maps available from your local authority, which may be out of date.
• Allows for clarity in more complex drainage layouts.
• Can be mounted on a camera, providing a double advantage of a visual inspection and tracing.