At the same time, if your property is the only area neighbors can access to get to another street, that means you cant block the way or you cant even stop them from crossing your yard. 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. The purple flag indicates Reclaimed water lines, irrigation lines, and slurry lines. These projects involve underground facilities that need to be protected. Generally, flags should not be taken off. If you must dig near the marks or use machinery of any kind, visit the "DIG CAREFULLY" section of the contractor page, or contact your state's 811 . Other states place a validity of the flags for 30 calendar days. (Is This Illegal to Do? ; Green Sewer and drain lines. Receive information from our advertisers or special DR-C offers. In most cases, the utility company will be held liable for the damages to your property. This would help you know what kind of possible disruption the repair would cause to help you plan accordingly. Utility flags can be of several different colors, with each of the flag colors indicating a different utility line or component. Johnnie St. Vrain: Hold off on pulling up utility markers The removal usually happens when the job is done. While you cant really prevent utility companies from doing their jobs, its good to know who is setting foot on your property and what theyre doing. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'yardpit_com-box-4','ezslot_3',117,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-yardpit_com-box-4-0'); The utility companies are given this right for the major purpose of public safety as these utility lines are placed underground. An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Removing these flags could disrupt any project planned in the area. If damages have been done to your property, its best to notify the company. However tempting it may be, one should not remove those flags. If you push through with this project, you may be forced to destroy the structure. Utility flags can help prevent damage to expensive underground wires or stop gas leaks before they become possible catastrophes. Accidental removal of the flags is inevitable. And a damaged gas line can cause soil contamination and even explosion. Manage Settings Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. Then, plan accordingly when you're ready to plant so that there's ample space between the plant and utility line. Utility flags are placed to avoid any disturbances or accidents in the area while utility work is ongoing. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. For instance, it is not that uncommon for an electric company to call in a 150 radius of a utility pole that is going to be replaced. Can I Have a Sheep in My Backyard? (Do This First)Continue, Well water offers many positive advantages, most importantly, fewer utility bills! Can I Remove Utility Flags In My Yard: Is this Illegal? - Yard Blogger Before You Dig | City of Longmont, Colorado It only takes a minute to sign up. Has nothing to do with speed. One thing to note is that utility companies do have the right to come onto your property, even without permission. (Is This Illegal to Do? Lacks Neutral Wires and Grounding Bus. Give the utility flag company a call first to inquire about their presence, and whether or not it's safe to remove them. Sunny. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. In most cases, you find flags in your yard on the occasion of a repair or maintenance going on in your neighborhood. Utility companies usually place flags to mark . The only person who should be removing them is the one responsible for the placement of the flags. Why Are There Flags And Paint In My Yard? - Gopher State One Call Where does this (supposedly) Gibson quote come from? Why are there utility flags in my yard? There are a few important reasons why there are flags on your lawn. Stop mower. Calling 811 will get your underground utility lines marked and your project off to a safe start. What are these capped, metal pipes in our yard? Bunch of BS IMO. Comcast tore up my yard, but they brought in new patches of grass to replace the grass they removed. 1. infrared lenses Yard Blogger is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. When they could have accessed the area by driving over a curb from the highway. The reason flags are put in your yard is to notify you of repair work on utility lines or the installation of a new utility line passing through your yard. If you need or want to remove the flags, our suggestion is that you call your local state-run dig center by simply dialing 811 (just like 911 but replace the 9 with an 8!). When you see a white utility flag on your yard, prepare and make arrangements for the possible disruptions that would come from an excavation.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'yardpit_com-banner-1','ezslot_4',109,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-yardpit_com-banner-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'yardpit_com-banner-1','ezslot_5',109,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-yardpit_com-banner-1-0_1'); .banner-1-multi-109{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none !important;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:7px !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-top:7px !important;max-width:100% !important;min-height:250px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}. Having a decent security system like a Ring Video Doorbell or Outdoor Security Cameras (both on Amazon) is a smart thing to do. 175. However, waking up to utility flags scattered across your lawn and someone digging in your yard is another story entirely. Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password. (We Checked With the USPS). Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. (We Checked), Can You Demo a House With a Mortgage? Removing Utility Flags : r/homeowners - Reddit Other states place a validity of the flags for 30 calendar days. This is especially true if the utility company or the subcontractors didnt acknowledge the damage. About half of the water we use at home is spent outdoors on landscaping. Usually, the property deed comes with a utility easement, so that it remains valid and does not change even when the property has been sold or transferred. VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. Always confirm the utility response by checking the status of the utility response before . If the utility flags are not in place, workers can just dig and end up damaging underground lines. Known as "locate flags," the person who called for their placement is responsible for removing them when the job is complete. The operator should be able to provide the name of the company or individual who requested the dig and their contact information. If so, when can I remove them? The short answer is yes, utility companies can dig up your yard and they can do so legally to gain access to pipelines and cables. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Not the answer you're looking for? Other utility flags cannot be removed for any reason because of the utility lines they represent. FAQs - OHIO811 | Call 811 Before You Dig | OHIO811 You have permission to edit this article. For this, a professional may be called upon to handle it. If youre unsure, a more helpful way to deal with this is to call 811. I've had others leak and need another plug. Staff Writer (Check for This First), Can I Put a Pool in My Front Yard? Refresh Marks requests may be submitted via our online, self-service option know as REV or by calling 8-1-1 or 800-892-0123. Must wait three business days for a markout, begin digging within 10 business days, ticket expires in 45 business days. Every Wednesday morning, get the week's top crime stories in Denton from the Blotter in your inbox. This is because the removal of utility flags can land you in trouble with the states authorities. Thanks for contributing an answer to Home Improvement Stack Exchange! Rutted up the lawn to the point you could forget about mowing it. Call the . Please refer to our full affiliate disclosure policy for full details. I'm assuming my neighbor needed to dig and had the lines flagged. Once flags are moved out of the way, mow over area where flags were. Damaging this line could release poisonous gases and may cause a flood in the neighborhood. The only person who should be removing them is the one responsible for the placement of the flags. Do not remove the flags, stakes or paint marks until you have finished . Damages to your property resulting from negligence or accidents is inevitable, especially when a utility company digs in your yard. City of Ballwin - Yard Markings The lost time from the utility company and repair costs to that feeder was in the range of $450,000. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. How To Protect Your Cable and Internet Lines When You're Digging in The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. You can then call the person or company and ask about the status of the project or if the flags are still necessary. i have plugs in both of my mowers. Refresh Marks requests can only be submitted for excavation projects that were started within 14 calendar days of the initial locate requests. This practice is often refereed to as Subsurface Utility Engineering. However tempting it may be, one should not remove those flags. Utility flags are important in the functions they play in informing people of utility lines that are specially placed underground. Its even more frustrating to see people come to your yard and put up flags without permission. If your cable company ripped out grass or landscaping, they need to replace it. One way to do this is to call them three times a day. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. THESE COMMENTS ARE NOT LEGAL ADVICE. Obviously the safety factor is greater if you're trusting a plug in a sidewall of a vehicle at highway speeds, they also don't externally plug vehicle tires in the tread either, they come from the inside which requires removal of the tire. Just Ask Us: Who is responsible for removing flags that mark utility custom marker flags Doing so is illegal and you could pay a fine. Removing Your Lawn. 4. Red -it is the most common color and its used to mark electric utilities or power lines Marking an area with red will help to avoid a power outage that can affect the whole neighborhood. The flags are red (electric), orange (telecommunication) and yellow (gas). For most homeowners, your insurance policies will likely not cover the damages that arise from what the Utility Commission will classify as negligence. A: Yes, and it doesn't matter how deep you are digging. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. "They can tell you whether a utility flag has outstayed its 30-day limit, at which point you can remove it.". - Ohio Revised Code: 3781.29 (A) Am I allowed to mow my yard? In instances where youve seen the flag on your yard for 14 days without someone doing any work, you can remove them. Here's a key to the flags' colors: If flags are in your yard, please do not remove them, they may have a logo and/or the name of the utility that has placed it there. DIG CAREFULLY. Removing the marks and flags put them at risk. Success! and our Lets take this scenario for example: I wake up to find Verizon digging in my yard because of an service upgrade job. Staff Writer You may panic as someone just came to your property to put up the marking flags. For more information, please see our So leave it and let it lay its eggs; they cause no harm. The other reason why there are flags on your lawn is that there is a bigger excavation project planned in your area. For instance, she may place marks at the northeast and southwest corners of a piece of land to . Can I have utility location done well in advance of a fence project? If the tree's projected height is 12 feet tall for example, dig your hole at least 12 feet away from the utility flag. :laugh: when a construction site pops up on my properties, i will mow around the junk and tools, no trimming, i didnt quote all the debris in the mowing price. Fully Licensed and Insured. A tip from many homeowners is to bug the company about your concern. Email your question for Insight Denton to pheinkel-wolfe@dentonrc.com. By clicking Post Your Answer, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy. But if it happens to you, you should know that it means someone is planning to turn it into an excavation site. An easement is typically granted by property owners to an electric utility for the purpose of constructing and maintaining power lines and other equipment. Once mower is stopped, walk over and move the flags out of the way. Yellow locator flags are crucial for avoiding damaging gas lines. Get exclusive, in-depth coverage of the University of North Texas athletics teams in this weekly newsletter. The 811 call centers also serve an educational purpose. If you must dig within 24" of utility marks/flags, be sure to dig with care. 811 just marked my utilities, can I mow my lawn? The colors follow the Uniform Color Code set by the American Public Works Association. Can you transfer utilities to another person? - Wise-Answer When calling for locates, please have the following information ready: Who the work is being done for (general contractor or project) Type . By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Lets say you wanted to build a deck over a certain area in your property other people can legally access. Digging on a spot without knowing beforehand the location of underground utility lines can be risky. Image Credit: Rick Beauregard, Shutterstock. Why are there flags and paint in my yard? ), Do You Need a Permit to Dig a Pond? Utility Flags & Markings - Nebraska City Utilities