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Planning a home improvement job? Planting a tree? Installing a fence or deck? WAIT! Here is what you need to know first:

The depth of utility lines varies and there may be multiple utility lines in a common area.

Homeowners often make risky assumptions about whether or not they should get their utility lines marked, but every digging job requires a call - even small projects like planting trees and shrubs.

Homeowners or their contractors who cause damage are liable for the cost of repairs and could incur a costly lawsuit if adjacent property is damaged or someone is injured as a result.

State laws in most states require you to "Call Before You Dig" at least 48 hours in advance to locate any possible underground utility lines.

This free call can help protect your family and neighbors from serious legal, financial and most importantly physical harm resulting from damaging a buried utility line.

When you are ready to start digging, make sure to always dig around the marks, not on them.

Some utility lines may be buried at a shallow depth, and an unintended shovel thrust can bring you right back to square one - facing potentially dangerous and/or costly consequences.

Each state has a non-profit organization, funded by utilities and operators of underground facilities, which records and maintains the location of all gas pipes, telephone lines, hydro or cablevision lines and water pipes which extend through your property.

When you call, they will send a representative to your home to mark all underground lines so that you can avoid disturbing them.

The good news is it is FREE! Their members fully fund the call centers at no cost to you, the end user. Plus, they pay for the locators, the paint and the flags.

Call centers operate 24-hours a day 7-days a week answering calls from anyone who intends to dig.

Prefer to make your request on-line?
Visit 8-1-1 State Specific information pagesfor direct contact info and on-line request forms for your state.

 
 
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