A perfect example of a utility easement is when the power company is allowed to install electrical lines and erect utility poles to support them. 3. 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. There are a few utility flags that you may remove, but you need to contact the utility company handling your area to do that. Placing orange flags means companies should be careful about digging this area, especially when people are expecting a big game on TV. The start time is typically three working days after your locate request was placed. But if it happens to you, you should know that it means someone is planning to turn it into an excavation site. Marking power lines connecting to a grid can eliminate the risk of a wide power outage or electrocution. They are there for a purpose, which is to protect underground lines that may be damaged during digging. However, you may wonder why there are flags on your lawn without your permission or if it is allowed for utility companies to mount utility flags on your property without permission. Accidental removal of the flags is inevitable. Utility flags have been in use for as long as they can be remembered. The 8 Likely Reasons There Are Utility Flags in Your Yard. If you find a turtle in your yard, try to identify its species if you can. Once you see little flags in your yard, you can start digging. The first one is that there will be an excavation project planned in the spot where the flags are. There wont be any excavating in the near future, for a while anyways. The locators will mark your yard with paint or flags in various colors that indicate where utility lines are . Viewed 4k times. Seeing a utility flag on your lawn or elsewhere around your apartment calls for concern. Yard Blogger provides practical tips and friendly expert advice on everything relating to your home and yard. But keep in mind that removing these flags are a big no-no. The symbols also help to pass the information on the purpose of the flag even without any writing inscriptions made on the flags. In most cases, it is illegal to tamper with these markings. I've mowed twice with my flags in the ground. While the purpose of easements are to mainly allow utility companies to access your area for work, your neighbor may also own easements. This means that you can only remove flags 30 days after placing them with no work done. Once mower is stopped, walk over and move the flags out of the way. You also need to prove that they have failed to repair the damages or provide compensation. Every morning, get a link to our newly redesigned e-Edition and the top Denton headlines you need to start your day. Does a Propane Fire Pit Keep Mosquitoes Away? Continue with Recommended Cookies, Seeing colorful flags in your yard can be surprising and maybe at times, frustrating, especially if you like to maintain a beautiful, pristine yard. So you know dig company and utilities do not have to inform home owner of rite of way work unless it will expand the ROW the markings in your yard are important to protect the utilities from damage. Scan this QR code to download the app now. Step two: Wait the required time . Small alcoves in exterior walls for utilities access? ; Orange Telecommunication systems, alarm and signal lines, as well as cables or conduits. Part of their maintenance program is to mark their lines whenever someone places a "notice" or "ticket" with the Virginia 811 center. Generally, flags should not be taken off. Lets take this scenario for example: I wake up to find Verizon digging in my yard because of an service upgrade job. An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the e-mail address listed on your account. I've had others leak and need another plug. A tip from many homeowners is to bug the company about your concern. The Yellow flag utility has an oil drop symbol in it. The yellow flag marking indicates oil, gas, steam, petroleum, and gaseous materials utility lines. They were here today.They marked with both spraypaint and flags. 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. I can just imagine the neighbors questioning what we're doing to the yard. Is it permissible to have exposed mains conductors in holiday lights? The only person who should be removing them is the one responsible for the placement of the flags. Flags can be used to mark even simple digging projects like installing clothesline or repair and maintenance projects such as repairing the fire hydrant nearby. Before you buy a new tree, find out about its growth potential. Do not disturb the markings enough to make them disappear. The reason flags are put in your yard is to notify you of repair work on utility lines or the installation of a new utility line passing through your yard. It's been two weeks now the lawn is a mess because we are unsure of how to avoid all the markings and flags. Its worth noting that each state has different laws when it comes to this situation. 1 Madison in playoff rematch, Police: Mans car shot at as he sat in driveway in far west Denton, Purple-and-Gold powerlifters to compete at regionals, Tornado damage surveys for 3/2 and 3/3/2023. If the flags are removed before work is done, buried utility lines could be damaged and workers could be injured. A surveyor places survey markers to label major points on the land's surface. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. You would be really upset if you lived in my area, we also spray paint on the ground above the utility path. Removing Utility Flags. Question: is it my responsibility to remove the flags? You can get more details as to who requested the placement by calling the hotline. You still get to retain the title and you are the owner but someone who owns easement to your property has the right to use your property. It will be about 2 weeks before I can get the landscaping work done. And as I said, I'd rather plug a sidewall than screw around with a leaking tube that has to have the bead broken, tire removed and the tube patched. Never heard what happened. 1. The colored flags in your yard each have a meaning. Maybe try searching. How to follow the signal when reading the schematic? By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. I'll chat with them today. Damaging this line could release poisonous gases and may cause a flood in the neighborhood. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. plug them and put some tire slime in the tire. 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. Continue with Recommended Cookies, Privacy Policy | Powered by UtilitySmarts. (The Official Answer), Is It Illegal to Leave Furniture on the Street? 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. This hasn't been the driest spring. Yard Blogger is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. (Try Doing This First)Continue, Are you looking for a way to add some personality to your mailbox? Utility flags are placed to avoid any disturbances or accidents in the area while utility work is ongoing. If you are unable to gather the information from the state 811, you can simply refer to the color of the flag. jfields@dentonrc.com, A long time coming: No. Obviously the safety factor is greater if you're trusting a plug in a sidewall of a vehicle at highway speeds, they also don't externally plug vehicle tires in the tread either, they come from the inside which requires removal of the tire. 0. bcolombo@dentonrc.com, Stranger walks into unlocked home in Denton; resident pushes him out, Denton man sentenced to life in prison for murder of 7-year-old boy, By Juan Betancourt Underground Utility Lines. Staff Writer They show what's buried beneath them before the first shovel hits the ground. At least 3 business days before you plan to dig, make your locate request online with the Utility Notification Center of Colorado (Colorado 811). You cannot legally work from someone else's request. Try to avoid digging on top of or within 18-24" on all sides of utility marks, which may mean moving your project to another part of your yard less congested with buried lines. These will help workers locate important marked spots. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. 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. If the utility flags are not in place, workers can just dig and end up damaging underground lines. Doing so is illegal and you could pay a fine. This is especially true if the utility company or the subcontractors didnt acknowledge the damage. It only takes a minute to sign up. You can then call the person or company and ask about the status of the project or if the flags are still necessary. Legal Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is provided for informational purposes only, and shouldnotbe interpreted aslegal advice or acted upon as such. What are these capped, metal pipes in our yard? For instance, she may place marks at the northeast and southwest corners of a piece of land to . Privacy Policy. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. After 10 days, we can remove the markings. Must wait three business days for a markout, begin digging within 10 business days, ticket expires in 45 business days. Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. Have you talked to your neighbor to make sure they've had the work done already? The APWA color code guide can tell you which colors indicate which type of utility. The removal usually happens when the job is done. No problem, I just weave around them. If you see plenty of white flags wrapped around an area, that should give you an idea of how big the project is. It could be that individuals or companies calling in the dig request cant provide the exact location to mark. Here's a key to the flags' colors: If flags are in your yard, please do not remove them, they may have a logo and/or the name of the utility that has placed it there. Having a decent security system like a Ring Video Doorbell or Outdoor Security Cameras (both on Amazon) is a smart thing to do. Staff Writer You may panic as someone just came to your property to put up the marking flags. You may panic as someone just came to your property to put up the marking flags. I'm assuming my neighbor needed to dig and had the lines flagged. By Peggy Heinkel-Wolfe For more information, visit California811. If you have blue flags, you can call the water company, and so on. Thanks for the insight - I'll leave all the flags where they are and hope they're gone in time for spring cleanup around the yard. If you are unable to gather the information from the state 811, you can simply refer to the color of the flag. But, before, Read More Can I Put a Pool in My Front Yard? Last month a dozen utility flags appeared on my front lawn, my neighbors front lawn and along our property line. Utility flags are placed to avoid any disturbances or accidents in the area while utility work is ongoing. Do not remove the flags, stakes or paint marks until you have finished . While you cant really prevent utility companies from doing their jobs, its good to know who is setting foot on your property and what theyre doing. Theyre eye-catching,, Read More Do You Need a Permit to Dig a Pond? Doing so is illegal and you could pay a fine. If not, they will inform you when they will be able to send over a check to cover the damage. They Do), Do Butterflies Like Roses? We work with local utility companies to identify gas, electric, and water lines that are already in your yard. (The Official Answer)Continue, Seeing furniture on the side of the street is common and sometimes even a little exciting if youre looking, Read More Is It Illegal to Leave Furniture on the Street? In fact, most homes have utility easements running through the yards, both front and back.