Where Do You Call Before You Dig in Texas?

Digging is a common task in various construction and landscaping projects. Whether installing a fence, planting trees, or excavating for a new building, it’s crucial to remember that what lies beneath the surface can be just as important as what meets the eye.

In the vast underground network of utilities crisscrossing Texas, a single misplaced shovel can disrupt essential services, cause safety hazards, and result in expensive repairs. To ensure the integrity of buried infrastructure and keep your excavation projects incident-free, making one crucial call to Texas 811 is necessary.

Why It’s Important to Call Before You Dig

Digging into the ground may seem straightforward, but the underground infrastructure in Texas is a complex web of utility lines and cables. These include gas, electricity, water, sewer, telecommunications, and more, all crucial for our daily lives. Failing to locate and respect these buried facilities can have serious consequences. Here’s why it’s essential to call before you dig:

? Safety First

Unintentionally striking an underground utility can lead to severe accidents, injuries, or even fatalities. Gas leaks, electrical shocks, or ruptured water or sewer lines pose immediate risks. By calling before you dig, you can ensure the safety of yourself, your team, and the general public.

? Preventing Service Disruptions

Damaging utility lines can cause widespread service disruptions in the community. Imagine cutting off the water supply to an entire neighborhood or interrupting essential telecommunications networks. By notifying the appropriate utility companies, you help prevent inconveniences, outages, and costly repairs that come with them.

? Avoiding Costly Repairs

Repairing damaged utility lines can be a significant financial burden. As the excavator, you may be responsible for the repair costs, including labor, materials, and equipment. Calling before you dig allows utility companies to mark the location of their underground lines, helping you avoid these unnecessary expenses.

Now that we understand the importance of calling before you dig let’s explore the Texas 811 service, which is instrumental in ensuring a safe and incident-free excavation process in Texas.

What is Texas 811?

Texas 811 is a vital resource for anyone planning to dig in Texas. A one-call notification system acts as a liaison between excavators and utility companies. The service aims to prevent accidental damage to buried utilities and promote a safer digging environment. By contacting Texas 811 before starting your excavation project, you can ensure that underground utilities are located and marked, minimizing the risk of disruptions or accidents.

What does Texas 811 do?

Texas 811 is crucial in facilitating communication between excavators and utility companies. Once you’ve contacted 811, they will transmit the information about your planned excavation to the appropriate utility operators. These utility companies will then dispatch professional locators to mark the location of their underground lines using various color-coded markings. This marking process provides an apparent visual reference for excavators, ensuring they can work safely and avoid damaging buried utilities.

Is 811 free in Texas?

Yes, you can access the assistance of the 811 service free of charge. The service is free to excavators, homeowners, and contractors alike.

How deep can I dig before calling 811 in Texas?

According to the Texas One-Call law, individuals (with a few exceptions like cemeteries) are required to contact 811 at least 2 working days in advance (48 hours excluding weekends and holidays) when using mechanical equipment for digging at a depth of 16 inches or deeper.

How do I contact Texas 811?

Contacting Texas 811 is a straightforward process. You have a few options to reach out:

? Phone

Dial 811 to connect with the Texas 811 service. A representative will gather the necessary information about your excavation project and notify the relevant utility companies on your behalf.

? Online Portal

Visit the Texas 811 website and use their online portal to submit a request for utility marking. Fill out the required information about your excavation, and Texas 811 will coordinate with the utility companies.

It’s vital to contact Texas 811 at least two working days before you plan to dig to allow sufficient time for the utility companies to mark the location of their underground lines.

What to Do if Your Utilities Are Not Marked After Contacting Texas 811?

After you have contacted Texas 811 and given the appropriate notice, you should expect your underground utilities to be marked within two working days. However, if the utilities are not marked after this time, you can take the following steps:

1. Check the Portal for Positive Response using your ticket number.
2. If there is no Positive Response, contact Texas 811 to process a No Response, which notifies utility companies to locate their underground utilities as soon as possible.
3. If there is still no response after this, you can contact the utility directly or call the Notification Center and ask for a “Second Notice” to be sent.

You may proceed with the dig if there is no response after these steps. However, use extreme caution until you have located the unmarked line. Safety is paramount when digging; take precautions to avoid damaging underground utilities.

Bottom Line

Before you grab that shovel or start any excavation work, make the call that counts—reach out to Texas811. Your proactive step will go a long way in safeguarding underground infrastructure, preventing accidents, and keeping Texas thriving.