How to Locate Utility Lines Before Digging

Shovels and buried power lines don't mix.

With the proliferation of buried utility lines, it's extremely important to find out where lines are located before beginning any project that involves digging. Even planting a small shrub can bring you in contact with buried electrical lines that are dangerous and expensive to repair. Cutting your neighbor's phone or cable lines can be cause for embarrassment and expense and disrupting power to an entire community can easily cost thousands of dollars to repair, if it doesn't kill you. Thanks to a nationwide network of call centers, it is easy and convenient to find the location of all of your underground utilities. Never assume that you know the location of buried cables. Utility lines may crisscross your property without you being aware of it.

Things You'll Need

• Yard paint
• Telephone

Instructions

1. Start at least two days before you plan to dig in the yard. Mark the yard with paint in all of the areas where you want to dig.

2. Mark planned trenches, flowerbeds, shrubs or any other excavation that will break the surface of the yard. Make sure the areas are clearly marked so they'll be easy to find when the utility locator arrives.

3. Call the One Call Center by dialing 811 from any telephone in the United States.

4. Give the operator your name, address and expected date of excavation. Answer any additional questions that will help the utility companies locate utility lines before digging begins.

5. Wait for the utility locator to come to your property. Show the locator where you intend to excavate.

6. Heed the markings placed by the utility locator and dig only in areas that are at least 30 inches away from marked underground utilities.

Tips & Warnings

• The 811 service is free and has a two-day response time in many locations.

• If you choose not to locate utility lines before digging, you may be liable for damages, loss of service and could endanger yourself and others. The depth of underground utilities varies widely depending on terrain, climate and the type of utility. Digging safely in one place is no guarantee of being able to dig safely in another place.

References

• Call 811.com: How 811 Works
• PG&E: Call Before You Dig!
• North Carolina 811, Inc: A Homeowner's Guide to Safe Digging