811 – Call Before You Dig

Be Safe, Not Sorry! Contact Virginia 811

Virginia 811? It’s the new name for Miss Utility. But all the same details apply!

• Always contact 811 before you dig … it is the law! To enter a ticket or to check on an existing one, dial “811” or go online to va811.com.
• Allow required time for marking. Call Virginia 811 2 business days in advance … not including weekends and holidays. Hours: weekdays 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Excavate carefully. Hitting a live power line is life-threatening to you and your contractor. Plus, you will be held responsible for damages if you do not dial 811 prior to breaking ground.
• Respect and protect the marks. Wonder what they mean? See the chart below.
• Hired a contractor? It is technically the contractor’s responsibility to call VA811, but be insistent to have it done. The homeowner will be held responsible for damage, besides being inconvenienced and endangered if a utility line is hit.

What Do the Markings Mean?

Many people call us wondering why grass near their home is marked or what the markings mean.

Utility color codes are used to identify existing underground utilities in construction areas with the intent of protecting them from damage during excavation. This is done through flags or special spray paint, neither of which will cause long-term harm to your lawn.

The American Public Works Association (APWA) Uniform Color Codes for temporary marking of underground utilities are listed below:

Red: Electric power lines, cables, conduit, and lighting cables

 

Orange: Telecommunication, alarm or signal lines, cables

Yellow: Natural gas, oil, steam petroleum, or other gaseous or flammable material

Green: Sewers and drain lines

Blue: Potable (drinkable) water

Purple: Reclaimed water, irrigation, and slurry lines

White: Proposed excavation limits or route

The 811 Process for Homeowners

For projects that include planting a tree, installing a mailbox, or building a deck … among others.

1. Notify

Notify your local one-call center 2 days before work begins by calling 811 (7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays) or making an online request. The one-call center will transmit your info to all affected utilities.

2. Wait

Wait 2 days (excluding weekends and legal holidays) for affected utility operators to respond to your request. On average, between 7 to 8 utility operators are notified for each request.

3. Confirm

Confirm that all affected utility operators have responded to your request by comparing the marks to the list of utilities the one-call center notified. You can search your ticket by street address or arrange for an email or fax when all markings have been done. Go to the va811 website.

4. Respect

Respect the marks. The marks provided by the affected utility operators are your guide for the duration of your project. If you are unable to maintain the marks during your project or the project continues past 15 working days from the day marked, please contact 811 to ask for a re-mark.

5. Dig Carefully

Dig carefully. If you can’t avoid digging near the marks (within 24 inches on all sides), consider moving your project to another part of your yard, If you must dig near the marks, hand dig or use vacuum excavation to expose the utility lines.

Download the 811 Process for Homeowners (PDF)