When you see flags, you not only tend to question what it is and what purpose it serves but also what the different colors are. Make sure you're prepared with the Denton Record-Chronicle's coverage of Denton County's key races, and the candidates in the running for them. If not, they will inform you when they will be able to send over a check to cover the damage. The flags and paint marks may be an annoyance, but they are crucial for the safety of construction workers and others near a work site. Short story taking place on a toroidal planet or moon involving flying, Recovering from a blunder I made while emailing a professor, Calculating probabilities from d6 dice pool (Degenesis rules for botches and triggers). The answer is NO, you can't remove any utility flags placed in your yard. Utility companies usually place flags to mark . Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience. Each utility company will send a locator to your property within a few days of your call to 811. 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 . They should be able to let you know the best times for them to make the repair. Here is the official color code chart that is used to depict the location of underground utilities. If you must remove the utility flags in your lawn or backyard, make sure you call the utility company in charge of the utility lines of your area or street to ensure it is safe to remove any utility flag. Removing turf with water-efficient plants can be cost-effective, beautiful, and low-maintenance. Has nothing to do with speed. This color is used for communication systems, TV cables and alarm lines. Utility color flags help workers who carry out the digging identify which utility line is running under the marked spots. When she is not writing, she goes camping with her husband and little kids. Utilities will send out locators who will come and mark the approximate location of buried utilities . 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. Generally, flags should not be taken off. If the line is damaged, the neighborhood could experience a flood or that water will not be safe for drinking for days. You can remove the utility flags installed in your yard, but you would need approval. The operator should be able to provide the name of the company or individual who requested the dig and their contact information. DIG CAREFULLY. White flags usually mark the area where there is a proposed excavation. At Utility Locator, our company uses our own flag (see example) to delineate the lines we have marked out. Utility Flag Color Code. How do I align things in the following tabular environment? If you must dig within 24" of utility marks/flags, be sure to dig with care. The question of legality and the right to remove utility flags from your lawn or property can be tricky. For most homeowners, your insurance policies will likely not cover the damages that arise from what the Utility Commission will classify as negligence. You may have removed it before realizing its purpose. Press J to jump to the feed. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. If you do so, someone can file a complaint against you and you could face a lawsuit. 811 just marked my utilities, can I mow my lawn? 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. NO! Understanding your rights as a landowner is important so youll have knowledge on how to approach this issue, especially if you feel like your privacy has been violated. She loves to take sunbathe and do a barbecue in her free time. In most cases, it is illegal to tamper with these markings. I can just imagine the neighbors questioning what we're doing to the yard. Utility companies are not the only ones that can own easement to your property. There are a few important reasons why there are flags on your lawn. THESE COMMENTS ARE NOT LEGAL ADVICE. Before they do this, they'll mark and protect any other buried utility lines in your yard by working with 811 Call Before You Dig. Carefully inspect the flags as some companies may include some form of contact information printed on each flag. But it does not call for removal. We won't share it with anyone else. But this authority only takes place after the initial need for the flags is completed. According to Krueger, once a project is completed, it's the responsibility of the contractor to remove the flags. They usually have a validity of 30 calendar days. Custom metal stamping If you must dig within 24" of utility marks/flags, be sure to dig with care. As a result, they will give an estimate, which includes your property. Home Improvement Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for contractors and serious DIYers. Utility flags are important in the functions they play in informing people of utility lines that are specially placed underground. By Brooke Colombo The standard utility service paint or flags colors are: Red: Electric; Orange . This year they pulled into the drive and drove their trucks and equipment across the lawn at a angle to get to the NW corner. The state requires utility companies and their subcontractors to locate and mark where underground lines are buried. I've got 2 properties that are peppered with these flags. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Email your question for Insight Denton to pheinkel-wolfe@dentonrc.com. This will result in everyday inconveniences that can affect not only you but also other people in the community. For orange flags, you could try to call your telephone or Cable TV company. Why are there utility flags in my yard? Call the Utility Notification Center of Colorado at 1-800-922-1987. Depending on the state youre in, there should be a law that prohibits any person from removing or tampering with utility flags. If you see plenty of white flags wrapped around an area, that should give you an idea of how big the project is. Use Marking Flags for Safety and Many Other Purposes Marking flags offer a way to clearly identify underground electric lines or mark construction borders. The hidden costs of underground utility damage. There is typically only a few reasons these types of little colored flags will appear in your yard or lawn. 175. To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers. They show what's buried beneath them before the first shovel hits the ground. It can be very tempting to play with them or even remove them. Known as "locate flags," the person who called for their placement is responsible for removing them when the job is complete. Stop mower. It will be about 2 weeks before I can get the landscaping work done. If you or someone you've hired is going to install an irrigation system, plant a tree or do anything else that requires digging, be sure to call 811 at least two business days before starting the project. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Sunny. If this happens, do not plant the flags to the ground as you may not know where they were exactly located. Its even more frustrating to see people come to your yard and put up flags without permission. The red flag indicates Electric power lines, lighting cables, and conduit cable lines. We will label this, When hiring a privateunderground utility locating company, you expect that they will find all of the underground utilities present within the project or location that, The release of last months Common Ground Alliance 2016 DIRT Report is a sobering reminder about how important it is to excavate safely around underground, Let's Discuss Your Project. (Try Doing This First), Can a Mailbox Be Any Color? These projects involve underground facilities that need to be protected. These utility contractors are also responsible for removing locate flags and any other utility flags installed when necessary. Utility flags are placed to prevent any disturbances or accidents in the area as utility work is being carried out. Proper attention to pipe that has been exposed will prevent problems later. If the utility flags are not in place, workers can just dig and end up damaging underground lines. Step one: Call either 811 or 1-800-632-4949 or submit your utility locate request on nc811.org using Single Address Ticket or Remote Ticket Entry. A utility company can dig in your yard without permission. The flags wont be there for long. Can I remove utility flags in my yard? And at highway speeds, that is dangerous. Norm of an integral operator involving linear and exponential terms, Styling contours by colour and by line thickness in QGIS. The quick answer is yes, you can. I'll chat with them today. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Not the answer you're looking for? Children may also accidentally take those flags out. The red flag utility marking is probably one of the most important ones that should be tampered with for any reason. When they dig the holes do their work and leave. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Residential customers. Cannot fix sidewall punctures, its either a new tire or a tube. Placing orange flags means companies should be careful about digging this area, especially when people are expecting a big game on TV. If the marks are past the row remove and mow. This gives utility companies the legal right to be on your property to fix any broken lines or install new utility lines, even if it means making changes to your yard. This hasn't been the driest spring. Why are there flags and paint in my yard? If damages have been done to your property, its best to notify the company. Last month a dozen utility flags appeared on my front lawn, my neighbors front lawn and along our property line. It's not a slalom course, just don't mow the block the are demarcating. :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. 2. Continue with Recommended Cookies, Privacy Policy | Powered by UtilitySmarts. (Answered), Do Deer Eat Canna Lilies? Come join the discussion about performance, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more! It has a lot to do with speed, because the cords on sidewalls are far more likely to separate than tread cords. While an easement does give right to the utility company to use or access your land, they do not own it. That way, contractors will not dig it up. If the species is a foreign one, it likely escaped captivity, or the owner let it out, and it might threaten those species in your region. That could be as long as 14 weeks. Instead, call 811 dig hotline, report what happened, and request for them to mark the utility lines again. Low around 50F. If locate flags are in place for more than 14 days without any activity, the property owner can remove them because they are no longer valid at that point. A utility company can dig in your yard without permission. Utility companies usually place flags to mark underground facilities for projects like repair and maintenance. Theyre eye-catching,, Read More Do You Need a Permit to Dig a Pond? Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in. Is it possible to create a concave light? Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. Stephanie is fond of doing all backyard-related work at her home. I deal with the stupid flags all the time. In some other states, the locate flags are removed by both the state apparatus and the property owners. If you find a turtle in your yard, try to identify its species if you can. The removal usually happens when the job is done. If you see plenty of white flags wrapped around an area, that should give you an idea of how big the project is. You can get more details as to who requested the placement by calling the hotline. This practice is often refereed to as Subsurface Utility Engineering. (Is This Illegal to Do? This year alone they have flagged it 4 times.From the flags I can tell you there is 4 utility's running alone the state road. Generally speaking, you should not remove utility flags from your yard because they are meant to avoid disturbances, damage to utility lines, ensure safety during any repairs to utility lines. Not only does the utility company have the right to use a strip of land for the lines, but they will also enter your property if repair and maintenance is needed. 3. Red flags - Red is the most common flag. This can include water, gas, electricity, and cable lines. I'm assuming the work hasn't been completed yet since the flags haven't been removed from their yard. For yellow flags, try to call your natural gas provider, and for green flags try to call your local sanitary sewer authority or DPW. Just purchased my first house and I'm shocked at the little things that I just never knew or understood about daily life. Once you see little flags in your yard, you can start digging. (We Checked With the USPS). The answer is NO, you can't remove any utility flags place in your yard. In addition, when work is being done in the city's right of way, a public works inspector will also verify that the flags were removed at final inspection, Rogers said. Its vital to avoid the spot marked with the yellow flags. Power, telephone, gas, and water lines are buried underground, likely on your property. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Yellow locator flags are crucial for avoiding damaging gas lines. Utility companies usually place flags to mark underground facilities for projects like repair and maintenance. You can get more details as to who requested the placement by calling the hotline. 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. You should always consult with an attorney or legal professional before taking any action. . if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,600],'yardpit_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_2',116,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-yardpit_com-medrectangle-4-0'); Because utility lines and flags used to mark them are placed on public rights, private individuals do not have a right to tamper with utility flags and where they are placed in most cases. If the flags are removed before work is done, buried utility lines could be damaged and workers could be injured. Once mower is stopped, walk over and move the flags out of the way. Ask the title company, attorney or your real estate agent to retain all documents . This color is used for communication systems, TV cables and alarm lines. Utility flags are placed to avoid any disturbances or accidents in the area while utility work is ongoing. Mr. Holder has over 15 years of subsurface utility engineering and utility locating experience on various engineering and construction phase projects across a variety of market sectors including DOT / Highway, Pharmaceutical, Energy, and Commercial / Industrial properties. Avoid digging near buried utilities if possible. You can also make requests by calling 8-1-1 or 800-922-1987. Here are the different colors used in marking flags and what they mean: Red Electric power lines, cables, conduits, and lighting cables. The circuit was out for 3 hours. pheinkel-wolfe@dentonrc.com. You may also see a marking in the street or near a pole or structure with an arrow that says Call 811, Miss Utility, One Call, Dig Safe, UFPO, etc. To know the exact kind of utility work and what the work may entail, you would find out from the kind of utility flags put in your yard; the flags are differentiated with varying colors. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. (Quick Answer), Will a Porch Light Keep Raccoons Away? Allowing others to use a portion of your, Read More How To Remove An Easement From Your Property The Right WayContinue, A street light shining into your yard can be maddeningespecially if its hindering your attempts to observe the night, Read More Can You Get Street Lights Turned Off? I had 811 mark my utility lines. Your e-mail address will be used to confirm your account. So what does this rainbow of marking flags in your yard mean? ; Green Sewer and drain lines. Do not disturb the markings enough to make them disappear. If you found blue flags, you can try your water company. (Do This First)Continue, Well water offers many positive advantages, most importantly, fewer utility bills! 99% of the time they do. In cases where you accidentally removed it, its best to call 811 for help. If you own property, it is in your best interest to know if any easements exist on your lot. JavaScript is disabled. If the damage has not been compensated despite several attempts of reaching out to them, whether directly or via proper channels, you might consider hiring a lawyer. If the utility flags are not in place, workers can just dig and end up damaging underground lines. Red utility flags are used to mark underground electric and cable lines. 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. In general, you should not remove utility flags in your yard. If youre having trouble contacting the company or if you feel they are not attending to your concern, you have two ways to approach this: Is it possible to sue your utility company? The APWA color code guide can tell you which colors indicate which type of utility. In some, they are valid for only two weeks especially if you havent observed any activity. In cases where you accidentally removed it, its best to call 811 for help. If you push through with this project, you may be forced to destroy the structure. There are a few utility flags that you may remove, but you need to contact the utility company handling your area to do that. But keep in mind that removing these flags are a big no-no. The removal usually happens when the job is done. For this, a professional may be called upon to handle it. There are different laws regarding utility flags their role, mounting, and removal across different states. The symbols also help to pass the information on the purpose of the flag even without any writing inscriptions made on the flags. Wholesale Work Gloves The most common reason for utility flags in a yard is to mark the location of underground utility lines. If a gas main or service line is exposed during digging, call Greater Dickson Gas Authority. In certain cases, temporary repairs will be made to avoid disruption in your mail delivery. If youre asking, what color will CATV flags in my yard or at&T flags in my yard be, then the answer is orange. 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!). This post contains affiliate links. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. The other reason why there are flags on your lawn is that there is a bigger excavation project planned in your area. A property owner concerned about lingering flags could call 811 for more information about who called in and sought utility locations, according to Denton city spokesperson Jessica Rogers. Doing so could result in fines. Get exclusive, in-depth coverage of the University of North Texas athletics teams in this weekly newsletter. While tempting, you should never remove these flags, as doing so can cause serious damage that you may be responsible for. An easement is typically granted by property owners to an electric utility for the purpose of constructing and maintaining power lines and other equipment. Calling 811 will get your underground utility lines marked and your project off to a safe start. (Answer Inside), Does Windex or Fabuloso Kill Roaches? they never come back to remove them. 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. The markings are valid per their rules for 30 days. What do you want to know? They can also serve as safety flags to alert passersby to hazardous areas. If the utility flags on your lawn do not have our logo imprinted on them, then we did not mark that utility and will not be able to provide any information regarding the flags or proposed work. This repair in such situations involves sections of the utility line that pass through your yard. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph.. Clear skies. (Do This Before Digging)Continue. (Check for This First)Continue, A pool in your front yard can add an impressive touch to your property if done right. You have the right to file a complaint if damages were done to your property while utility companies were doing their work on your yard. That said, If you are the subsequent owner of the property or if you are planning to buy a house in general, it helps to know the easements of your chosen property before sealing the deal. 1. In most cases, you will be given compensation. If for instance you have built a structure or landscaped an area, which is over an easement, the company has the right to remove them to maintain that easement. The blue flag marking indicates portable water lines and is not to be tampered with for any reason. I've had others leak and need another plug. Browse other questions tagged, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site. (We Checked), Can You Demo a House With a Mortgage? 0. This means Yard Blogger may earn a commission should you make a purchase using any of our links. If you are unable to gather the information from the state 811, you can simply refer to the color of the flag. To take matters to court, you must be ready with proof that the utility company has been negligent with their task. They were here today.They marked with both spraypaint and flags. Seeing the utility flag means some utility work is about to be done in the area. I then called the number on this power box thing that is located on my front yard.. but I don't exactly know who I called it just said "before digging call ###-###-####" so I called them, and they also couldn't tell me who put the flags there or whether I can or cannot remove them.