Call before you dig: What homeowners need to know before spring yard projects

(InvestigateTV) — As the weather warms up, many homeowners are getting ready for landscaping and other yard projects. But before you dig, experts say one phone call could prevent disaster.

“You can’t assume you know what’s underground. You have to assume that you don’t,” said Sarah Magruder Lyle, president and CEO of Common Ground Alliance.

Lyle said too many people start digging without first getting utilities marked, a mistake that can be both costly and dangerous.

“If you hit a gas line and there’s a spark or an ignition, you can do some serious damage to your home, you can put yourself in danger, your family in danger, and your neighbors in danger,” Lyle said.

Erik Phillips, vice president of operations for UtiliQuest, and his team use equipment and radar to help identify lines below ground.

“This is our world here. We spend everyday kind of bringing that underground puzzle above ground to keep everybody safe,” Phillips said.

Phillips explained the color-coded marking system used to identify underground utilities:

• Red covers electric lines
• Orange covers telecommunication and phone lines
• Yellow indicates gas, propane, natural gas and other flammable utilities
• Blue marks water lines
• Green identifies sewer and storm drains

“The line can take many turns, it can get a little fuzzy here and there. We just gotta hone in and take it a little slower,” Phillips said. “But ultimately, it’ll bring up all of the infrastructure that you cannot see.”

Before you dig, experts say dial 811 so a crew can come out and mark what’s below.

Lyle said homeowners should also verify that contractors are calling 811 before working on their property.

“You should also make sure if you have a contractor doing the work at your house, you want to make sure they call 811 when they’re working on your property. It’s your property and you’re responsible, so if you don’t see paint on the ground, you should probably go out and say hey guys, gals, you should contact 811 cause I don’t want you putting a shovel under the ground on my property until you do that and make sure that everything’s marked,” Lyle said.