Above all, keep records, measure, take pictures, and document for future purposes. Your phone call will be routed to a central call center. These regional and state services are now generally coordinated with the national 811service, but they may offer additional services. If you arrive at the site of a proposed excavation and find unmarked utilities, Do NOT start digging. In the case of a gas service pipe, this should be a minimum of 375mm deep on private ground and a minimum 450mm deep when laid under footpaths and roads. This list is comprised of contract locators that have asked to be listed on the VA811 website. When using this page you can view the list of codes or search for the Company or the Marking Code using the quick search option. In most parts of the country, sewer lines are 24 -36 inches below the ground. Respect the marks. The utility line markings are right over where my garage is being built. Private utility line owners (generally homeowners) must locate the lines that they own on their property or hire a locating contractor to do this work. Its difficult to monitor where these lines are and keep them from damage when installing structures in your garden. Q: How deep are the underground utility lines buried? NEC is 18" of cover, but that's not always adhered to. Furthermore, the electric cables should be laid to avoid any damage or disturbance in the future. VGINs map data gives us access to orthophotography in addition to the streets and roads. Its easier to disguise them that way. If these lines continue undergroundsuch as from a house to a detached garage or shedthe 811coordination service does not pinpoint the location of these secondary lines. Additionally, inquire with the locality where new utility lines are to be placed underground about any local codes, standards, or regulations that specify minimum separation distances. Any and all buried utility lines will be placed at a minimum depth of 36". Wait a few days (check your state's specific requirement here) to allow utilities to send out locators to mark buried lines with paint or flags. This method is not conclusive. Tell the operator where you plan to dig. Who can I call to locate private utility lines? Manage Settings Now that your property has newly installed underground facilities, remember to call 811 before any digging project and dig with care. Water pipes are buried 12 inches deep on average, however some are buried 12 inches deeper below the frost line. Are you curious as to how deep underground power must be? The generally applicable depth is 12 inches, or you can reduce it to 6 inches if you protect the cables with 2 inches of concrete. While tree limbs grow tall, their roots grow wide. A qualified engineer will help ensure the new utility supply cable or pipe is installed correctly. (DO NOT call Virginia 811.) However, there is a chance that some brass pipes still have trace amounts of lead. It is important to know where the utility lines are buried so you can avoid them when digging in your backyard. Locators are required to document who they spoke to that agreed to the extension. Virginia 811 is the free Virginia information exchange center for excavators, contractors and property owners planning any kind of excavation, digging or demolition work. Call 811 to make sure that you won't be digging into a buried oil or gas pipeline, an electric or fiber optic cable, a telephone, or a water main. Is only protected by a 20-amp fuse or breaker. The locators have 48 hrs. The daunting project announced Wednesday aims to bury about 10% of PG&E's distribution and transmission lines at a projected cost of $15 billion to as much as $30 billion, based on how much the. Usually they require slope. Virginia 811 no longer uses ADC, 911, Chamber of Commerce, or VDOT maps with different grid systems. Attached Graphic (A) Underground utility facilities crossing the highway shall be encased as shown in Figure 21.40(a)(1). Both of them are related to protecting the water lines themselves. If it is just the service to your house, well, if it craps out and needs to be replaced, they won't be gentle with whatever is in the way. Most states require electric wire to be buried inside conduit. Utility operators or their contract locators locate and mark their own utilities. Water and electric lines must be kept at least 12 inches apart. So, if you are doing any construction, your local office should be your first contact. http://www.vita.virginia.gov/isp/default.aspx?id=12096, The Underground Utility Damage Prevention Act, The Underground Utility Damage Prevention Act Rules, Click hereto see the list of assigned letter designations. Representatives for the relevant utility companies still need to visit your property and note where their lines are buried. Click hereto see the list of assigned letter designations. "utility lines are almost always buried at proper depths; however, there is no guarantee that someone did not change the grading of the property" This. If your work will not begin for 30 days or more after the initial marking, you should call 811again and have the marking repeated. for example 3 = 2003. Talk to plumbers about which brass pipes to use if youre interested in them. Fortunately, services offered by utility companies will mark the location of the lines for free. If you need to excavate over a marked line and you need to know the depth for the installation of a driveway, etc., carefully expose the utility by hand digging at reasonable distances along the line of excavation as described in the Damage Prevention Act. The Virginia Web Ticket Entry system does not just involve entering text information, it involves using our GIS mapping system as you identify your excavation area. If youre busy, you can ask your contractor to handle this part of the project. Depth (minimum) He is a member of The Spruce Home Improvement Review Board. That's why it's so important to pick an . Contact Virginia 811 only for work that you plan to start within the next fifteen working days. The answer is yes. You may be specifically thinking of putting the water and electric lines together. And in case you're picturing big, dramatic . You should be fine as long as you abide by that rule. Since 2007, we have been using mapping provided by the Virginia Geographic Information Network (VGIN). Manner of installing underground utility lines. In colder climates, sewer and water lines are typically deep in the ground below the winter frost line. You wouldnt want to mess up with this network of pipelines. They will also inquire about the reason behind your digging project. Over time, as services are added to the house, trenches are dug and earth or sod are laid over the top. It depends on the size of the traffic. There was a time not too long ago when cast iron pipes were the top choice for water supply lines. Wait for someone to mark your underground lines, pipes and cables. (1) Encasement. How Deep Are Utility Lines Buried? The contact center is open from 7 AM to 5 PM to take all types of notices of excavation by telephone. Before it enters the ground, it is protected by a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI). I once found a gas line buried about 6 inches deep under my own lawn, by sticking the tine of a garden fork through it. An underground cable line normally brings Xfinity services to your home. Natural gas and hazardous liquid pipeline owners, sensitive communications line owners, and others may want to be on the job site when you dig near their lines. Trench length. This is because the instruments used to detect utility lines are not always reliable. Javascript must be enabled for the page to display correctly. June 20, 2022 Juneteenth (Observed) Just because the line was installed at a particular depth doesnt mean its still there. Keep a distance of about 15 inches on either side of the utility lines once theyve been discovered. NOTE: Companies designated with (P) are ones who perform Private Locates. NEVERassume that a underground utility is at a specific depth. Once you have determined the exact location of the underground utility you will be able to safely work to remove the shrub. Check your deed or plot plan, or call the utility. Code of Virginia: 56-257. Are you thinking of installing patios, decks, walls, or any other structure in your yard? Do not backfill if there is any damage. Continue with Recommended Cookies. There may be others. Virginia 811 uses a numbering sequence that includes the date that the call was received. Positive Response System 811, press 2 or call 1-800-552-3120 You risk damaging cables and wires that can also potentially harm you anytime you dig below 12 deep. And when installed near a road, it should be laid in a manner that prevents future conflicts in case of road improvement projects. The water pipe from the meter box to the house is owned by the homeowner. If you need to bury eclectic cables for a garden pond or water feature, then you need to follow the rules. How To Keep Shallow Water Lines From Freezing (Do This! The depth of buried utilities is not uniform either and may differ from area to area. After contacting 811, they will ask you to supply some information. It may take them a few days to show up so its best to call well in advance. So, how deep should a water line be buried? The 2-working day marking period starts at 7 AM on the next working day after the call. Click here for further information. But would that even be allowed? Remember, you may begin excavation as soon as all utilities have responded that their facilities have been marked or that they have no facilities in the construction area. This is the one thats always underground to reduce the risk of contamination. Virginia Administrative Code: 20VAC5-325-30. The utility company then dispatches technicians to your location to paint or flag underground utility pipes or wires. It is the homeowners responsibility to locate and mark any private lines that they . As an example, you can use underground feeder cable that is buried at a depth of 24 inches or using PVC conduit at 18 inches below ground where the wire comes up. November 8, 2022 Election Day When a home passes from one owner to another, the locations of these utility lines are rarely communicated to the new owner. Start and end points of a utility line can find its general position. http://www.vita.virginia.gov/isp/default.aspx?id=12096. Start your project. To reach the Help Desk Press 3 buried utility structures and appurtenances. Inside one length of PVC conduit, use THWN-2 conductors to protect wires all the way through the 18 inch deeper trench. We also no longer use the statewide grid system that we once used that is based on latitude / longitude quarter minute grids. Once you receive confirmation that marking is complete, you may begin excavation. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. For buried electrical cable, service lines (the lines that run into a home) are typically buried 18 to 24 inches and primary lines (those that provide power to a general area) are usually 36 to 48 . Check status of marking before excavating! If there are extraordinary circumstances, you must be notified and marking must be completed within96 hours (four working days beginning at 7 AM on the next working day after the call) unless a longer time is agreed upon by both parties. It reduces the risk of damage due to human activity such as sabotage, theft, and illegal connections. It is important to know where the utility lines are buried so you can avoid them when digging in your backyard. If your projects require digging, be sure to call your state's locating service for free marking of any buried utilities. Burying your sprinkler lines about eight to nine inches into the ground should be enough. If there is a dangerous or emergency situation, call 911 immediatelyand clear the area. Other examples of private utility lines are: lawn sprinkler piping, invisible pet fence wires, electric wires to lampposts or outbuildings, and propane lines from the tank to the house. It supplies water in your home and makes it possible to have garden irrigation, or construct a swimming pool. There are strict rules and guidelines regarding the type of work and materials. November 24, 2022 Thanksgiving Day A fax number that is the same as your phone number will not work. Laying electric cables underground helps keep humans safe from electrocution. Are you thinking of installing patios, decks, walls, or any other structure in your yard? They will be protected well at that depth and you can still get to them easily if a replacement becomes necessary. You obviously dont want lead anywhere near your water supply. Reasons to Call 811 Utility Marking Services, Limitations of 811Utility Location Service, Yard Hydrant Installation Instructions & Tips, How to Install a French Drain in Your Landscaping, How to Install Underground Electric Conduit Up to Code, Everything You Need to Know About Fence Installation, A Beginner's Guide to Rainwater Harvesting, How to Install a Catch Basin Drainage System for Your Yard, How to Repair an Underground Water Supply Pipe, How to Remove Large Bushes and Shrubs Safely, National Electrical Code (NEC) Rules for Outdoor Wiring, Digging foundations for a deck, shed, or garage, Digging up parts of your lawn to install an irrigation system, Trenching your yard to add conduit for an exterior outlet or light, Creating trenches for drainage lines such as for, Line voltage (120-volt) landscape lighting systems, Electrical conduits or underground cables running to pools and spas or to buried septic tanks. You may want to check first for utility lines. Contact Virginia 811 and request re-marking (This is called a re-mark ticket.) The Underground Utility Damage Prevention Act(sometimes referred to as the Miss Utility Law) is legislation passed by the Virginia Assembly. It would be a waste of time to search for the lines every time you want to take on a major construction project. Homeowners may dig shallow trenches for irrigation piping or for low-voltage landscape lighting. Heres the breakdown. They also. If no one talked to the locator, you may want to call the utility using the Field Contact information found on the e-mail confirmation from the Positive Response System. A homeowner can simply drain their sprinkler line when it gets cold so that it doesnt freeze. Most plumbers have equipment that allows them to find and record the depth of house sewers at regular intervals. Choosing trees to plant near underground utilities. It may be possible that the locator spoke to someone at the job site, so check with your staff first. These are general guidelines for how deeply most utility lines are buried.