Did you know that – according to Common Ground Alliance – the societal cost of damages to underground infrastructure is $30 billion a year??
And that number could so simply be lower if property owners would just dial 811.
811 is the national call-before-you-dig phone number. Anyone who plans to dig should call 811 or go to their state 811 center’s website before digging to request that the approximate location of buried utilities be marked with paint or flags so that you don’t unintentionally dig into an underground utility line.
Don’t make the common mistake of thinking that your project is too shallow to require you to call 811 – something 40% of active diggers are guilty of. In most states, all lines are supposed to be buried at least 18” deep … but they are not. The truth is, utilities can be buried just inches below the surface … and the only way to know for sure is to contact 811 before any digging project.
When you dial 811 or make an online request, you will be asked for certain basic information: the address of where you plan to dig, including the county and nearest cross street, the type of project you’re completing, and the exact area on the property where you’re planning to dig.
State laws vary, but generally, utility companies have a few days to respond to your request. Utilities will send out locators who will come to your dig site to mark the approximate location of buried utilities with paint or flags so that you can avoid them. Each utility type corresponds to a specific color of paint or a flag -- for example, gas lines are marked with yellow paint or flags. In addition to waiting for marks, you must use the info on your ticket to confirm that ALL utilities have responded before you can dig.
Once the utilities have responded to your request and you’re ready to go, make sure to dig carefully around the marks, not on them. Some utility lines may be buried at a shallow depth, and an unintended shovel thrust can bring you right back to square one -- facing potentially dangerous and/or costly consequences. Don't forget that erosion or root structure growth may shift the locations of your utility lines, so remember to call again each time you are planning a digging job.
For more than 30 years, Beall Financial and Insurance Services, Inc., has been helping corporations and individuals protect their most important assets. The agency’s client base covers a spectrum of niche businesses, such as craft breweries, that require specialized insurance packages and knowledge. With California offices in Redlands and Newport Beach, Beall Financial and Insurance Services serves clients nationwide.