Do You Call Before You Dig for a Fence?

When to Call

• When you decide that you want to install a fence, choose the exact location where you want to place the fence. Call 8-1-1 only if you actually intend to dig. Make sure that you call far enough in advance, especially if you are hiring professionals to do the job, but also if you are digging yourself. The specific amount of time that you are required to call prior to digging varies from state to state, but it is commonly required that you call at least 48 to 72 hours ahead of time. This time does not include weekends or legal holidays.

What Happens When You Call

• When you call 8-1-1 from anywhere in the United States, your call is routed to your local one-call center. Currently, 62 one-call centers are located throughout the country. An operator will ask for the location of where you plan to dig, along with the type of work you will be doing. Your local utility company will then be notified, and will send out a locator. The locator marks the location of all the underground lines, pipes and cables found where you will be digging, for free.

Dangers of Not Calling

• A fence needs multiple posts, which require the digging of multiple holes. If you do not call 8-1-1 and locate underground utilities beforehand, you have multiple opportunities to damage your underground utilities. In doing this, you may not only cause problems for yourself, but also interfere with your neighbors by possibly disrupting their utility service where multiple utility lines intersect. In addition, you also risk fines and the additional costs of the repairs to the lines.

After the Call

• A professional locator will mark spots around the area where you plan to dig, with paint or flags of different colors. Each universal color tells you what line, pipe or cable is buried underneath each particular marker. According to the 8-1-1 website, the color red indicates electrical; orange indicates communications, telephone/CATV; blue indicates potable water; green indicates sewer/drainage; yellow indicates gas/petroleum pipe lines; purple indicates reclaimed water; and white indicates a "premark site of intended excavation." Make certain that you do not dig, or even plant the shovel or post hole digger, in the ground on these marks.