A homeowner in Ohio rents a small excavator to dig a trench for a backyard project. Twenty minutes in, the bucket catches a buried gas line. Nobody is hurt, but the street is evacuated, the project stops, and the repair bill is significant. One free phone call could have prevented it.
Whether you hire an excavation contractor or dig yourself, the steps below help keep crews safe and projects on schedule.
Before Any Digging
- Contact 811, the national call-before-you-dig number, or submit an online request a few business days before work begins. Waiting periods vary by state.
- Mark the planned dig area with white paint or flags if your state requests it.
- Wait for utilities to mark their lines and confirm all responses before digging.
- Check whether permits are needed for grading, drainage, or excavation.
- Locate private lines, such as sprinkler pipes or private electrical runs, which 811 may not mark.
Understand the Marking Colors
Utilities use standard colors: red for electric, yellow for gas or oil, orange for communications, blue for water, and green for sewer. Hand-dig carefully near marks, since lines may sit a short distance on either side. Never assume a line’s depth.
Marks can fade or get washed away. If a project lasts longer than your state allows, request a new locate. Keep the ticket number on site for crews and inspectors.
Costs of Skipping the Call
Damaging a utility line can lead to repair bills, fines, project delays, service outages for neighbors, and serious injuries. In many states, excavators who fail to request locates may be held responsible for damages. Calling 811 is free, while repairs and penalties are not.
Contractors who make 811 requests part of every job protect their crews and clients.
During the Project
Hire contractors who confirm locates, use spotters near marked lines, and follow trench safety rules, since trench collapses are a serious hazard. Ask how they manage soil, drainage, and site restoration. If a line is damaged, stop work, move people away, and call the utility and 911 for gas leaks.
Ask every contractor you find in Get A Link’s excavation and site prep listings how they handle 811 requests and private line locating. Ask each one how they handle 811 requests and private line locating before you sign.
One Call Can Save a Project
Every excavation should start with an 811 request, a wait for utility marks, and a plan for private lines. Learn the marking colors, hand-dig near lines, refresh old locates, and hire contractors who follow trench safety practices. Get A Link can help you compare excavation contractors.
Questions
Is calling 811 required before digging?
Every state has damage prevention laws that generally require notifying the one-call center before digging, with specific rules on timing and exemptions. Calling 811 or submitting an online request is free. Check your state's requirements before starting any excavation. Keep your ticket number on site.
Does 811 mark private utility lines?
Usually not. 811 notifies public utility operators, who mark lines they own. Private lines, such as sprinkler systems, outdoor lighting, or lines to detached buildings, may need a private locating service. Ask your contractor whether private locating is included. Ask before trenching near sprinklers or lights.
What do the utility marking colors mean?
Common colors include red for electric, yellow for gas or oil, orange for communications, blue for potable water, and green for sewer. White marks often show the proposed dig area. Hand-dig carefully near any marked lines. Never guess a line's exact depth.
What should I do if I hit a utility line?
Stop work immediately. For gas lines, move everyone away, avoid open flames or switches, and call 911 and the gas company from a safe distance. For other lines, contact the utility right away. Report any damage, even minor scrapes. Report damage even if it seems minor.
