It’s the time of year when there’s a “hole” lotta diggin’ goin’ on. Maybe it’s flowers. Or a bush. Could be a new mailbox. Whatever it is, before you do anything else, be sure to contact 811 at least two business days before your project begins if it requires digging to request that utilities, including us, mark any underground lines (electric, water, cable, etc.) on your property.
April is National Safe Digging Month, and contacting 811 will help you avoid hitting an underground line. Otherwise, you run the risk of a major repair bill and/or a serious injury or possibly even death. Remember, contacting 811 is the law, and there is no charge for the service.
Private lines
Please note that some underground lines will NOT be marked by 811. These are private lines such as electric or water lines to a pool, lines to septic tanks, electric lines to sheds or landscape lighting, lawn sprinkler systems, invisible pet fencing, etc. A good general rule of thumb is if the utility runs from the street to the meter, it will be marked. If the utility is installed from the meter to another location on your property, it will not be marked. It is the property owner’s responsibility to contact a private locating company.
Planting trees
From looking down to looking up...if you are planting a tree, make sure it’s the right tree in the right place. You want to avoid interference with overhead power lines, so – before you put it in the ground – take the time to learn how tall your tree will be when it matures. Visit lge-ku.com/right-tree for more information.
