Identifying the location of all underground utility lines is essential before you dig in your yard. People are hurt every year when they accidentally dig into underground utility lines.
Even if you are just planting a bush or tree or placing a post or deck support, you can easily damage an underground line. If it’s an electrical or gas line, this creates a dangerous and expensive situation. Even if it’s just your cable TV line, damage can be inconvenient. Do you want to cause a cable outage in the neighborhood just in time for “Monday Night Football”?
To learn the location of underground utilities for free, call Diggers Hotline or a similar service. Any local utility company will help you determine where to call. One call will activate a crew to come to your home and identify underground lines with flags and temporary paint. Plan a few days in advance for the service to respond to your home.
What happens if you damage an underground line? Notify the utility immediately. Even a nick, dent or scrape can damage the outer coating. Any contact with an underground line needs to be inspected by the utility.
If you damage a line, you can cause an outage in the neighborhood, and you may be responsible for any necessary repair.