Whether you’re planting a few shrubs around the house, putting in a new mailbox at the driveway or starting some larger project around the yard, the first step should be dialing 811 to make sure where you dig is free of underground pipes or wiring.

Louis Panzer, executive director of North Carolina 811, Inc. told John C. Rose on Monday’s Town Talk that state law requires that homeowners and contractors alike call the agency before the first shovelful of dirt is moved.

The “Call Before You Dig” messaging campaign has been seen on billboards and other spots for about 10 years, and Panzer said the message has had a positive impact in the state.

“I’d say it has some traction,” he said. “It’s a pretty simple message we want to convey,” Panzer added.

With spring around the corner and warmer weather inviting homeowners to begin outdoor projects, Panzer said projects that require digging should always begin with a call to 811. April is Safe Digging Month, so remember to follow the process of calling 811 before you dig. According to NC 811, every nine minutes an underground utility line is damaged because someone decided to dig without first calling 811 to learn the approximate location of underground utility lines.

“We do ask that folks take the time to notify us,” Panzer said. There may be easements or rights-of-way that contain underground utilities. “It’s the sensible thing to do to take the time to notify us,” he stressed. When the call is placed, Panzer said homeowners should provide as much detail as possible about the project and should expect to have a three-business-day wait period. This gives 811 staff time to communicate with utilities providers to come out to the property to mark where their lines are located. The caller will be informed about which utilities will be responding, then a follow-up email when the markings have been completed, Panzer said.

Mondays are always the busiest day for 811, he said, adding that in one day – a Monday – they logged 10,800 calls. Last year, the North Carolina 811 received more than 2 million requests for help locating underground lines.

Utilities will come in and mark their lines free of charge, but for private facilities there is a charge. Visit nc811.org to find a list of private line locators.

The call center is strict about the three-day wait period. There is an “emergency ticket” process, but that is reserved for cases where there is a “threat to life, health and property,” he said. Poor planning and time management don’t count. Homeowners can call up to 12 days before they intend to dig, according to information on the website.

Underground lines and pipes provide phone and internet service to homes and businesses, as well as essential services like water and gas. Calls to 811 can prevent damage to lines and costly repairs.

Gas lines are monitored and regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Panzer noted, and said that pipes are a very safe way to move the product. “As long as (the gas) is in there,” he said, it’s super safe.” Something as simple as a cut or a scratch in a gas line can create a weak point in the pipe that can cause problems in the future, he warned.

Any contact with a gas line should be reported immediately to the gas company. It also is a state requirement that any damage – even a nick or scrape – be reported to North Carolina 811. Of course, if there is a “product release” such as a release of gas, “your first call is 911,” Panzer said.

The 811 website says that the markings made by the utility companies are valid for up to 15 days. Try to avoid digging on top of or within 18-24 inches on all sides of the marks. This could mean moving your project to another site to a spot with fewer buried lines.

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