Ok rant off "Every step we take towards making the State the Caretaker of our lives, Eh, I've tried to plug mower tires before most of the time they don't take too soft of rubber. That way, contractors will not dig it up. This is because they are placed on public right of way. In the mean time is it OK to mow the . The operator should be able to provide the name of the company or individual who requested the dig and their contact information. Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, and our products. (Is This Illegal to Do? (Answer Inside), Does Windex or Fabuloso Kill Roaches? Do I need a thermal expansion tank if I already have a pressure tank? Those are utility location flags. They mark these existing utilities with painted lines and flags to help our crew determine where they'll bury the new cable. Utility Flag Color Code. And a damaged gas line can cause soil contamination and even explosion. After calling 811: The One Call Center will contact the appropriate utility companies, and a trained technician will mark the location of underground facilities with colored flags, stakes or paint at no cost to you. Has nothing to do with speed. In addition, you will be held responsible for damages to the utility. Proper attention to pipe that has been exposed will prevent problems later. Wait two full business days before beginning the digging. If damages have been done to your property, its best to notify the company. Avoid digging near buried utilities if possible. VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. Also, most flags bear the name of the company that placed them, so you should be able to see the contact information. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,600],'yardpit_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_2',116,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-yardpit_com-medrectangle-4-0'); Because utility lines and flags used to mark them are placed on public rights, private individuals do not have a right to tamper with utility flags and where they are placed in most cases. You should always consult with an attorney or legal professional before taking any action. The removal usually happens when the job is done. Utility companies usually place flags to mark . Residential customers. Never fear, because in this article, were going to go over what utility flags are, what the different color utility flags mean, as well as what you can do as the property owner. Moving or removing flags and paint markings will ultimately make you liable for any damage that occurs to that utility, and trust us those can be expensive. The flags are red (electric), orange (telecommunication) and yellow (gas). At Utility Locator, our company uses our own flag (see example) to delineate the lines we have marked out. You're better off leaving them where they're. This color is used for communication systems, TV cables and alarm lines. What this also means is that you are the sole owner of your property; your neighbor cannot use the easement as an excuse to build a structure on your property. In the sections below, were going to provide you with tips on what you can do as a homeowner. When someone is going to dig up the ground for any reason, they are required to locate utilities first. We will label this, When hiring a privateunderground utility locating company, you expect that they will find all of the underground utilities present within the project or location that, The release of last months Common Ground Alliance 2016 DIRT Report is a sobering reminder about how important it is to excavate safely around underground, Let's Discuss Your Project. custom marker flags For most homeowners, your insurance policies will likely not cover the damages that arise from what the Utility Commission will classify as negligence. Placing orange flags means companies should be careful about digging this area, especially when people are expecting a big game on TV. This is because the removal of utility flags can land you in trouble with the states authorities. (Do This First), Can I Dig a Well on My Property? Every morning, get a link to our newly redesigned e-Edition and the top Denton headlines you need to start your day. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Choose wisely! Staff Writer If youre asking, what color will CATV flags in my yard or at&T flags in my yard be, then the answer is orange. The question of legality and the right to remove utility flags from your lawn or property can be tricky. they never come back to remove them. Other utility flags cannot be removed for any reason because of the utility lines they represent. The yellow flags will help identify contractors that a gas line is on that spot. If locate flags are in place for more than 14 days without any activity, the property owner can remove them because they are no longer valid at that point. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. A standing flag symbol is drawn on the pink utility flag. bcolombo@dentonrc.com, Stranger walks into unlocked home in Denton; resident pushes him out, Denton man sentenced to life in prison for murder of 7-year-old boy, By Juan Betancourt In some states, the law stipulates that utility flags have a 30 days duration time without any work going on before they can be removed. Its worth noting that each state has different laws when it comes to this situation. In general, you should not remove utility flags in your yard. If the line is damaged, the neighborhood could experience a flood or that water will not be safe for drinking for days. Talk to an Expert Today | Weekdays 6AM - 6PM. If you are unable to gather the information from the state 811, you can simply refer to the color of the flag. Removing turf with water-efficient plants can be cost-effective, beautiful, and low-maintenance. You can then speak with this person to see if they have completed the work or if the flags are even needed in your yard. An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the e-mail address listed on your account. The quick answer is yes, you can. Removing these flags could disrupt any project planned in the area. Other states place a validity of the flags for 30 calendar days. Neighbors Keep on Putting Trash in My Garbage Can: What to Do? In general, you should not remove utility flags in your yard. Accidental removal of the flags is inevitable. For this very reason, it is vital to be in-the-know when it comes to an easement on a property youre eyeing before buying it. In general, you should not remove utility flags in your yard. Get exclusive coverage about business in Denton County in your inbox twice a month, with a focus on the housing market. However, waking up to utility flags scattered across your lawn and someone digging in your yard is another story entirely. This does not necessarily mean that the work to be done would involve your lawn or house. In instances where youve seen the flag on your yard for 14 days without someone doing any work, you can remove them. The flags wont be there for long. If you have blue flags, you can call the water company, and so on. Known as "locate flags," the person who called for their placement is responsible for removing them when the job is complete. Had to make a run to get a tube installed in a BRAND NEW TIRE! State law requires contractors, utilities or individuals who plan to dig even a homeowner planting a tree to call 811 to come locate underground utilities in the work area. Home Improvement Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for contractors and serious DIYers. Come join the discussion about performance, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more! 811 is the national call-before-you-dig phone number. White flags usually mark the area where there is a proposed excavation. You're better off leaving them where they're. . Accidental removal of the flags is inevitable. (Try Doing This First)Continue, Are you looking for a way to add some personality to your mailbox? As someone who places these flags for a living, leave them there for as long as you can or until you're 100% sure the work is completed. If youre dealing with this problem, you should probably stick around and read the rest of this blog post. Digging on a spot without knowing beforehand the location of underground utility lines can be risky. (Do This First)Continue, Well water offers many positive advantages, most importantly, fewer utility bills! As a result, they will give an estimate, which includes your property. Modified 8 years, 9 months ago. An orange flag marks the location of underground telecommunications lines near the curb. In an instance where you find a flag installed on your yard and no work is done after 14 days, you can remove the flag. It could be that individuals or companies calling in the dig request cant provide the exact location to mark. Cannot fix sidewall punctures, its either a new tire or a tube. Sewer lines need to be preserved if there are in-ground projects. To children, those colorful flags could be very attractive. In most cases, it is illegal to tamper with these markings. If you found blue flags, you can try your water company. In most cases, you will be given compensation. Each excavator is required to place their own locate request. In most cases, it is illegal to tamper with these markings. Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. If you have blue flags, you can call the water company, and so on. Can I remove utility flags in my yard? 4. Email your question for Insight Denton to pheinkel-wolfe@dentonrc.com. What is utility easement anyway? Can I Have an Electric Fence Around My Property Legally? The only person who should be removing them is the one responsible for the placement of the flags. one of them has like 10 plugs crammed into the same big hole. You may be so tempted to remove utility color flags from your yard. So what does this rainbow of marking flags in your yard mean? White flags usually mark the area where there is a proposed excavation. I had 811 mark my utility lines. The color codes are as follows: Proposed excavation will be marked in white, power lines will mark in red, gas lines will mark in yellow, all communication lines will mark in orange, water marks in blue, sewer marks in green and Purple is for Reclaimed Water, Irrigation and Slurry Lines. Can I remove the MISS DIG flags in my yard? The orange ones are telephone and blue is water, power is usually white. Step two: Wait the required time . Manage Settings Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Create a password that only you will remember. Children may also accidentally take those flags out. Understanding your rights as a landowner is important so youll have knowledge on how to approach this issue, especially if you feel like your privacy has been violated. This is especially true if the utility company or the subcontractors didnt acknowledge the damage. If you find a turtle in your yard, try to identify its species if you can. Legal Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is provided for informational purposes only, and shouldnotbe interpreted aslegal advice or acted upon as such. If youre surprised by the sight of a trench dug on your yard by a utility company, its normal to be upset and wonder whether or not a utility company can dig in your yard without permission. Then, plan accordingly when you're ready to plant so that there's ample space between the plant and utility line. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph.. Clear skies. This practice is often refereed to as Subsurface Utility Engineering. Knowing the different flag colors representation helps you know what plans to make, and the kind of excavation or utility work would be done in your neighborhood. Green flags are put up to mark drain lines and sewers. You can also make requests by calling 8-1-1 or 800-922-1987. Image Credit: Rick Beauregard, Shutterstock. It would also help you know if you can request removal or need to wait a while before requesting one. Utility Locator, LLC is a division of Trinity Subsurface Engineering, LLC and specializes in locating underground utilities on private campuses and other properties where most of the underground utilities are privately owned. The operator should be able to provide the name of the company or individual who requested the dig and their contact information. Utility flags can help prevent damage to expensive underground wires or stop gas leaks before they become possible catastrophes. In most states, it is illegal to tamper with any underground utility markings that were placed in accordance with your states Call 811 dig laws. For yellow flags, try to call your natural gas provider, and for green flags try to call your local sanitary sewer authority or DPW. If a utility does not mark its underground utility facilities or contact the excavator within that time, the utility is deemed to have given notice that it does not have any facilities at the excavation site. So you know dig company and utilities do not have to inform home owner of rite of way work unless it will expand the ROW the markings in your yard are important to protect the utilities from damage. They Do), Do Butterflies Like Roses? How 811 works. Good point! The purple flag indicates another set of utilities that should not be tampered with. You still get to retain the title and you are the owner but someone who owns easement to your property has the right to use your property. Depending on the state youre in, there should be a law that prohibits any person from removing or tampering with utility flags. Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password. Utility flags can help prevent damage to expensive underground wires or stop gas leaks before they become possible catastrophes. Am I allowed to mow my yard? Just purchased my first house and I'm shocked at the little things that I just never knew or understood about daily life. Doing so could result in fines. Utility flags are placed to avoid any disturbances or accidents in the area while utility work is ongoing. Please refer to our full affiliate disclosure policy for full details. For more information, please see our Before you buy a new tree, find out about its growth potential. If you forget it, you'll be able to recover it using your email address. The locators will mark your yard with paint or flags in various colors that indicate where utility lines are . A right of way is a type of easement or agreement that grants a utility the right to use, access or transit a piece of property. When they could have accessed the area by driving over a curb from the highway. Mow your yard. Never fear, because in this article, were going to go over what utility flags are, what the different color utility flags mean, as well as what you can do as the property owner. As a result, Verizon or the utility company damaged my driveway. But the fact is, utility companies often do just that. If you are unable to gather the information from the state 811, you can simply refer to the color of the flag. (Quick Answer), Will a Porch Light Keep Raccoons Away? A perfect example of a utility easement is when the power company is allowed to install electrical lines and erect utility poles to support them. When your installation is underground a crew chosen by your fiber provider will dig a small trench on your property to bury the line that comes from the street. Instead, call 811 dig hotline, report what happened, and request for them to mark the utility lines again. The color of the utility flag placed on your lawn or neighborhood would help you determine the type of utility line there and, in times of repair, what kind of repair work would be done. shaft cross If they damage your property and try to make you pay for the damages, its just going to be your word versus theirs. Mr. Holder has over 15 years of subsurface utility engineering and utility locating experience on various engineering and construction phase projects across a variety of market sectors including DOT / Highway, Pharmaceutical, Energy, and Commercial / Industrial properties. For instance, a water company may ask to have that area marked with yellow flags so that when there is an installation, repair, or maintenance on the water lines, the marked spot wont be touched. You may panic as someone just came to your property to put up the marking flags. 1200mm freestanding vanity unit, INDUSTRIAL MANUFACTURING BLOG YOU SHOULD BE READING. Instead, call 811 dig hotline, report what happened, and request for them to mark the utility lines again. And a damaged gas line can cause soil contamination and even explosion. Replace flags in original position. You may be wondering at this point: Can a utility company dig in my yard without permission? (Check for This First), Can I Put a Pool in My Front Yard? Lets take this scenario for example: I wake up to find Verizon digging in my yard because of an service upgrade job. The yellow flags will help identify contractors that a gas line is on that spot. You can see these markings in your yard if you have an upcoming project and if your neighbor or city is doing a digging project. The colors are as follows are noted in this handy chart. If you must remove the utility flags in your lawn or backyard, make sure you call the utility company in charge of the utility lines of your area or street to ensure it is safe to remove any utility flag. As you spot those flags, you may not be sure what to do or what they mean. There are a few important reasons why there are flags on your lawn. Why are there utility flags in my yard? The colors follow the Uniform Color Code set by the American Public Works Association. (Check for This First)Continue, A pool in your front yard can add an impressive touch to your property if done right. Utilities companies are good at scattering the stupid things all over the lawn.but don't come back to clean up their mess. I mow a storage facility that's on a main state road with city roads on 3 sides. Specifically, about these utility flags and markings - why are they on my yard? The first one is that there will be an excavation project planned in the spot where the flags are. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. So far, i've mowed and trimmed around them to the best of my ability. But keep in mind that removing these flags are a big no-no. She often shares practical tips and friendly expert advice on everything relating to home and yard on this blog. If your cable company ripped out grass or landscaping, they need to replace it. (Do This Before Digging), utility companies do have the right to come onto your property, even without permission, the utility company is going to start digging up your yard. Give the utility flag company a call first to inquire about their presence, and whether or not it's safe to remove them. mine haven't leaked in years. Digging on a spot without knowing beforehand the location of underground utility lines can be risky. Typically they will replace the pole in the exact same location of the existing pole, or within a few feet, but regardless they always seem to call in way more than they need. Or maybe a utility company decided to pay my property a visit without my knowledge and started digging in my backyard. When I can remove them? Be mindful of these flags; you may not like seeing green flags on your yard but dont consider removing them.