In March 2005, the Federal Communications Commission established the universal 811 number for people to contact their local utility services before starting any excavation projects. The goal was not only to protect underground infrastructure and avoid service disruption, but also to ensure the safety of homeowners and landscape contractors.
Calling 811 Before You Begin
When you call 811, you’ll be connected to a representative from your state’s 811 center who will ask you a few questions about your location and digging project. Once your request is submitted, you will receive a ticket number and instructions for how much time utilities have to respond to your request. Your ticket will also provide steps on how to confirm that all utilities have responded.
Typically it takes a few days before utility companies dispatch a team of locators to your dig site. When they arrive, they’ll mark the approximate location of buried utilities with paint or flags so that you can avoid them.
811 Color Codes
White: Proposed Excavation
Pink: Temporary Survey Markings
Red: Electric Power Lines
Yellow: Gas, Oil & Steam
Orange: Communications (Telephone & Cable TV)
Blue: Water
Purple: Reclaimed Water
Green: Sewer and Storm Drains
Once locators have sectioned off your property, follow the instructions on your ticket to confirm that all utilities have responded. This important step MUST be completed before any digging can begin.
Additional Safe Digging Practices
- Respect the markings. Once utilities are marked, maintain a safety zone of at least 18-24 inches (check your local regulations) on all sides of the markings. This is often referred to as the “tolerance zone.”
- Hand dig within the tolerance zone. If your planned excavation falls within the tolerance zone of marked utilities, you must dig carefully by hand using non-mechanized tools like shovels and spades. This allows you to visually identify and avoid damaging the underground facilities.
- Probe carefully. When hand digging, probe gently to determine the exact location and depth of the marked utility before continuing.
- Never use mechanized equipment within the tolerance zone. Backhoes, trenchers, and other power equipment can easily damage underground lines, even if you think you know their approximate location.
- If you encounter an unmarked utility line, stop digging immediately and contact 811. Do not attempt to move or repair the line yourself. The utility company will need to assess the situation and make necessary repairs.
- If you damage a marked or unmarked utility line, evacuate the area immediately and call 911 and the affected utility company. Do not attempt to repair the damage yourself. Even seemingly minor damage can have serious consequences.
Safety & Peace of Mind, At The Core
At All Season Rooter and Plumbing, safety is not just a priority—it’s a promise. We strictly follow 811 safety standards and guarantee that no excavation work will begin until all underground utilities have been properly identified and marked. Your safety and peace of mind are at the core of everything we do. Plus, for those unexpected issues that just can’t wait, remember—we offer 24/7 emergency service, so you’re never left without support when you need it most.
With All Season Rooter and Plumbing, you can count on reliable, responsible service any time, day or night.