One has got to admit:
understanding land-survey maps can be frustrating, especially if you do not
have any experience related to it. However, no matter how confusing these maps
are, it is vital to determining one's property topography and property dividing
lines.
In other words, if you
need to know about your land's topography and proper division, then you should
at least put some effort into understanding land-survey maps
Here are some tips that might help you do just that.
Check the Type of Map
Know, first and foremost,
that there are several types of land-surveys maps. These maps are divided into
its purpose---what it was drawn for. Identifying
the correct kind of map for your needs would lessen the hassle and would
make it easier for you to get a grasp of what you are looking at or maybe even
looking for.
To make it simple, here's
a scenario. If your goal is to measure a town's size and its limits, you don't
go and examine a transportation map simply because it's not the right type of
map you and it does not have the property lines and divisions that you are
looking for.
Examine the Scale of the Map
The scale provides you
with the numbers, specifically the ratio of distances on a map to its matching
values on earth. The scale is usually found at the corner of the map itself.
Examining the scale would allow you to know what it is representing on the
ground.
Fair warning though: if
you do not understand so much about ratios and numbers, in general, it is better
to seek expert advice to make sure the results are accurate.
Inspect the Legend Found on the Map
Legends tell you what the
colours and figures represent. In land-survey maps, the figures and symbols
usually represent lakes, rivers, cable and telephone lines, and bridges.
If you wish to know about
all the symbols represented on a map, you can check at your local official
institutions, such as the Bureau of Land Management. Do know, however, that
some companies might use different symbols to represent crucial survey items.
The only symbols they have that are standardized are that of the water,
property boundaries, elevation, structures, roads, and the distance scale.
Locate the Map's North
It is of high importance
to set the map correctly. Meaning to say, the north should be pointing up. This
would mean that even if you change your position, the north side of the map
should always be facing up.
If you are having
difficulty in reading land-survey maps, don't fret. It is a skill that takes a
lot of time to acquire and even more time to master.
That is why if you need to
have a land-survey map done for topography, buildings, and other purposes,
choose a company or a group of people who are experts in these fields and have
a background (both education and experience) to back up their work.
Complete Survey Solutions
Ltd is a company that provides a comprehensive range of both topographical and
engineering surveying services. They cater to both public and private sectors.
