How to call 811 before planting trees or setting posts
Call 811 before you dig, or file online, a few business days ahead, even for a small shrub. It's free. Utilities mark their buried lines with paint or flags. Wait until all of them have responded, then hand dig near the marks. Private lines such as sprinklers usually aren't marked.
Why you call 811 before you dig, even for a shrub
Some utility lines sit only inches below the surface, so depth doesn't protect you. Planting a shrub counts, and so does setting a mailbox post. The national 811 program says skipping the call is the top cause of utility damage, and that shovels are the second most common tool involved. Striking a gas or electric line can kill you, and it can knock out service to your neighbors.
If you hit something, stop digging. If you smell gas, hear hissing or see a damaged line, leave the area right away, keep others away, and call 911 and the utility from a safe distance. Don't try to fix it, and don't cover it back up.
Rules differ by state. Tennessee, for example, requires at least three working days' notice, not counting weekends and holidays, and a ticket lasts 15 calendar days after its legal start date. Check your own state's one-call center, because digging on an expired ticket can break state law.
Utility marking colors and what to have ready
When you file, have the dig address, county, nearest cross street, type of project and exact digging area ready. Marking the area in white paint or flags helps. If your plans might move, include the whole area.
| Color | What it marks |
|---|---|
| White | Your proposed dig area |
| Pink | Temporary survey markings |
| Red | Electric power |
| Yellow | Gas, oil, steam or petroleum |
| Orange | Communication, alarm or signal lines |
| Blue | Drinking water |
| Purple | Reclaimed water, irrigation or slurry |
| Green | Sewers and drain lines |
Marks show the approximate location only, and utilities don't have to tell you the depth. Tennessee's tolerance zone is the width of the line plus 24 inches on each side. Other states can differ. Inside that zone, dig carefully by hand and expose the line before you use anything bigger.
Check your own lines too. Facility operators generally don't mark private ones, which can include sprinkler pipes, yard lighting, a gas line to a grill, a shed feed and septic lines. Look through your inspection report and seller's notes, or hire a private locating company.
How to call 811 before you dig
- Mark out your project
Decide exactly where you'll dig and outline it in white if you can.
- File the request
Call 811 or use your state one-call center's website, a few business days ahead. Some states let you file further out, and Tennessee allows up to ten working days.
- Wait for every utility
Different companies mark at different times. Confirm that all of them have responded through your state's system before you dig.
- Compare the marks to the responses
If a utility says it marked your yard but you see nothing, contact 811 and ask for a second notice.
- Protect the marks
Leave paint and flags in place until the project is finished. Take photos with a landmark in view.
- Dig by hand near the lines
Stay out of the tolerance zone with power equipment. Move your hole if you can.
- Watch the ticket date
If the job runs long, ask for an update before the ticket expires. Tennessee requires that at least three working days ahead.
Call before you dig for swing sets and dog fences
Family projects often mean digging. Swing sets, playhouses, basketball hoops, garden beds and buried dog fences all count, even when the holes are shallow. File the request before you buy the materials, so the wait doesn't stall a weekend project.
Tell children the flags and paint are there for a reason, and ask them to leave the marks alone until the job is done. Keep kids and dogs away from open holes. If a pet digs in a marked area, fill it in gently by hand and tell the utility if you see a wire, pipe or warning tape.
What homeowners say about digging near utility lines
Ask for the marks early, even before you're ready to dig. One owner had the lines marked in week one and photographed the yard from the roof, so they have a permanent map for future projects. (Reddit)
How long does 811 take and other questions
Do I need to call 811 for a small project?
Yes. Some lines are only inches below the surface, so the national 811 program says every digging project needs a request, whatever the depth.
How long does 811 take to mark lines?
Plan on a few business days. Tennessee, for example, requires at least three working days. Rules vary by state, so check your one-call center.
Does 811 mark sprinkler lines?
Usually not. 811 sends notices to the utilities, and operators generally don't locate private lines. You may need a private locating company for those.
Sources: 811beforeyoudig.com, tenn811.com
General guidance for U.S. homes, not professional advice. For gas, electrical and structural work, call a licensed pro.