Every year, hundreds of homeowners and contractors unknowingly put their lives and communities at risk by skipping one crucial step before breaking ground—calling 811. This quick, free call can prevent accidents, costly repairs, and even legal trouble. If you’re unfamiliar, keep reading to find out what 811 is and why you need to call it before digging.
What is 811 and Why Does it Matter?
811 is a national hotline for safe digging, whether it’s for planting trees, installing a fence, or starting construction. Beneath the surface are utility lines that carry electricity, gas, water, internet, and sewer services. Striking one of these lines can cause severe disruptions, injuries, or worse.
When you call 811, they notify the utility companies to mark the location of their lines, helping you avoid accidents and dig in the right spots. Striking an underground gas line could cause explosions or fires, while damaging electrical lines could result in power outages or electrocution hazards. On top of safety concerns, ignoring 811 can result in hefty financial and legal penalties, with repair costs for damaged utilities reaching thousands of dollars, along with fines and project delays.
How to Call 811 Before Digging
Using the 811 service is simple and hassle-free, whether you’re a homeowner tackling a DIY landscaping project or a contractor managing large-scale construction. Call 811 at least two to three business days before digging. Provide details about your project, including the exact location and timeline.
After processing your request, they’ll notify the appropriate utility companies in your area. These companies will send professionals to your property to mark the location of underground lines using color-coded flags or paint. Each type of utility has its own color, so you’ll easily be able to identify what lies beneath your proposed dig site.
Beyond 811: Private Utilities
Now, you should understand what 811 is and why you need to call it before digging, but there’s another call you should make before digging: private utility locating. Private utilities are utility lines that the property owner, not a public utility company, owns and maintains. These can include irrigation systems, propane lines, septic systems, or exterior lighting cables that run beneath your property.
811’s public service does not mark these utilities. Failing to locate these lines before digging can lead to costly damage, dangerous accidents, or interruptions to your property’s systems. Professional private utility locators use special tools to accurately trace these hidden lines, ensuring your entire dig site is safe and accounted for. Combining 811 services with private utility locating eliminates guesswork and helps you avoid unnecessary risks.
Safe Digging Starts with a Call
Whether you’re planting a garden or developing property, safe digging starts with a call to 811. This free service keeps your project on track, prevents accidents, and saves you from costly mistakes. Take a few minutes to protect yourself and your community—call 811 before you dig.
