It’s possible, but unlikely, that you could have to slightly adjust a fence post location after hand-digging reveals it exactly conflicts with the buried utility.

How close to a utility line can you dig?

18 inches





Keep your trenches or holes at least 18 inches away from 811 markings. The tools used to locate underground wires are not always precise, and 811 guidelines say that holes or trenches should be kept at least 18 inches away from either side of marked lines.

How do you dig around utilities?

Whenever you hand dig near buried utility lines, take care to prevent damage:

  1. Use a rounded or blunt-edged shovel. …
  2. Begin digging off to the side of the marked utility line. …
  3. Proceed cautiously. …
  4. Never pry against a utility line to remove soil. …
  5. Dig until you find the actual line, not just a tracer wire or warning tape.

How long is a Texas 811 ticket good for?

Section 251.151 of the Texas One-Call law states “… a person who intends to excavate shall notify a notification center not earlier than the 14th day before the excavation is to begin…” Initially this was interpreted to mean that a locate notice or “ticket” expired after 14 days, the so-called “14-Day Rule”.

How deep are utility lines buried in Illinois?





between 26 and 36 inches

That holds true for any buried line. AT&T; spokesman Jim Kimberly said there are several factors that influence the depths, such as city or county regulations or local topography, “but our standard in Illinois is between 26 and 36 inches for direct-buried cable placed by trenching or chisel-plowing.

How deep are residential utility lines typically buried?

Main lines are usually found at least 24 inches deep, while service lines are usually 18 inches deep. The current depth of an electric or natural gas line can be different than when it was first installed.

What happens if I hit a water line while digging?

Even striking a single line while you dig can cause serious injury, fines, high repair costs, and outages. So, even if you’re digging only a few inches underground, we highly recommend you have your utilities marked to avoid the risk of striking an underground utility.

How deep can I dig before calling 811?



There is no allotted depth before a person needs to call 811. Whether you are just planting small shrubs or installing fences, CGA says any time you are putting a shovel in the ground you need to call due to the fact that many utilities are buried just a few inches below the surface.

How deep can I dig in my backyard?

As has been said previously, there is no minimum or maximum legal depth of which you can dig holes in your backyard residential lot without calling 811 or consulting the local building authorities, meaning that you have to call 811 before digging any kind of hole.

Can you dig around a gas line?

Gas lines are typically metal or plastic. If plastic, they’re very likely thick enough to withstand most hand digging with a shovel. Laws typically require hand digging within some distance (18″ in my state) of a marked line.

How deep is a gas line supposed to be buried?



24 inches deep

The depth at which gas lines are buried is regulated by local governments. As a result, the depth values of gas lines allowed depends on the state or county where the lines are buried. On average, main gas lines are usually found at least 24 inches deep, while service lines are usually 18 inches deep.

What do Dig Safe markings mean?

Who marks the lines? Utility companies (NOT Dig Safe) mark their own lines. Dig Safe is the communication network that notifies these companies to respond for a mark-out. Some utility members use contract locating companies to mark their lines. Member companies are not responsible to mark privately owned facilities.

What does excavation site clear mean?

Examples. 001: Clear – No conflict. Definition: The members lines are not in the area to be exca- vated. This does NOT mean that the member doesn’t have any line in the area. A member may have lines nearby but based on the delineation and the location on the ticket, they are clear for that area.

What are utility colors?

  • RED – Electric Power Lines, Cables, Conduit and Lighting Cables.
  • YELLOW – Gas, Oil, Steam, Petroleum or Gaseous Materials.
  • ORANGE – Communication, Alarm. or Signal Lines, Cables or Conduit.
  • BLUE – Potable Water. GREEN – Sewers and Drain Lines.
  • PURPLE – Reclaimed Water, Irrigation and Slurry Lines.
  • What color are utility markings?



    As a quick refresh, the APWA color code for utility marking is: Red: electric power lines, cables, conduit and lighting cables. Orange: telecommunication, alarm or signal lines, cables or conduit. Yellow: natural gas, oil, steam, petroleum or other flammable.

    What does a yellow flag in my yard mean?

    YELLOW – Gas, Oil, Steam Petroleum or Gaseous Materials.

    What are red utility flags?

    Red flags – Red is the most common flag. It signifies electric utilities, such as cables and power lines. These mark the power lines that connect to a neighbor’s power grid. Marking these junctions helps avoid a neighborhood-wide power outage.

    What does a blue flag on a lawn mean?

    If you found blue flags, you can try your water company. For red flags, try to call your Electric Company. For orange flags, you could try to call your telephone or Cable TV company. For yellow flags, try to call your natural gas provider, and for green flags try to call your local sanitary sewer authority or DPW.

    What does black mean on a flag?



    Very often, the colors used in a flag represent the values of that country (or other entity). BLACK. Black often represents determination, ethnic heritage, and/or defeating one’s enemies. BLUE. Blue often represents freedom, vigilance, perseverance, justice, prosperity, peace, and/or patriotism.

    What does gold mean on a flag?

    Yellow and gold most often represent the sun. They’re also used to signify wealth and prosperity—especially in places where gold ore was historically mined.

    What does white on a flag mean?

    purity and innocence

    Answer: According to custom and tradition, white signifies purity and innocence; red, hardiness and valor; and blue signifies vigilance, perseverance, and justice.