What to Do Before Digging in Your Yard

Do you love spending time in your backyard? Well, before you start digging around in your yard, there are a few things you need to do! In this blog post, we will outline the necessary steps to take before beginning any landscaping or gardening projects. By following these simple tips, you can avoid damaging underground cables, water pipes, and other important infrastructure. So put on your gardening gloves and let’s get started!

How to identify underground cables, pipes, and other infrastructure

Before you start digging in your yard for any reason, it’s important to first figure out where any underground cables, pipes, or other infrastructure might be. Otherwise, you could accidentally damage something important – and that would be a major pain (and potentially expensive). So how can you figure out what’s underground before you start digging? The best bet is to call your city or utility company and ask for a “mark out.” You can contact Call Before You Dig as well. They’ll send someone out to your property to mark where any underground infrastructure is, so you know exactly where not to dig. Just make sure to give them a heads up a few days in advance. So they can schedule someone to come out. And once you have the all-clear, you can start digging away!

What to do if you accidentally damage something while digging

Gardens are a great way to get some exercise and fresh air, but they can also be a potential liability. Every year, people across the country accidentally damage gas, water, and electrical lines while digging in their yards to create a beautiful garden, plant a rose bush, or build a deck. If you find yourself in this situation, the best thing to do is to stay calm and call the appropriate utility company. The operator will be able to tell you whether it is safe to continue digging and, if not, will dispatch a repair crew to fix the problem. In the meantime, you can take steps to prevent further damage by marking the area with caution tape or flags. By taking some simple precautions, you can avoid accidents and keep your garden healthy and safe.

When to call 911 if a line is cut while digging

Calling 911 should be your last resort if a line is cut while digging. First, try to locate the source of the leak and turn it off at the main. If you can’t find the main or the leak is too big to shut off, then you’ll need to call 911. The operator will dispatch emergency services to your location, and they’ll take care of the rest. Just be sure to stay on the line until they arrive, so they can get an accurate idea of where you are. And in the meantime, try to keep everyone away from the area and stay clear yourself, just in case.

Who is responsible for cut lines?

If you’re planning on doing any digging around your home, it’s important to be aware of the potential risks. One wrong move could easily result in an accident, and that could mean having to pay for some expensive repairs. For example, if you cut an electric line, gas line, or water line, you’ll be responsible for the cost of fixing those utilities. The same is true if you damage your neighbor’s property while you’re digging. So, before you start swinging that shovel, be sure to do your research and know exactly where all the underground lines are located. That way, you can avoid any costly surprises.

Conclusion

Before you start your next landscaping project, take a moment to review these tips. By taking some simple precautions, you can avoid damaging underground utilities and keep your property safe. So go ahead and get started on that garden – just be sure to call for a mark out first! And if you do happen to damage something while digging, stay calm and call the appropriate utility company. With a little bit of care, you can avoid accidents and enjoy your backyard all summer long.