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. I've read that it's illegal to remove them, and I should call 811 to find out more. 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. Utility lines are a matter of public or state-owned facilities that are meant to serve the public. (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? It may, Read More Can I Have an Electric Fence Around My Property Legally?Continue, In recent years, shipping containers have become a popular alternative to traditional homes. 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. A: Yes, and it doesn't matter how deep you are digging. Moving or removing flags and paint markings will ultimately make you liable for any damage that occurs to that utility, and trust us those can be expensive. As someone who places these flags for a living, leave them there for as long as you can or until you're 100% sure the work is completed. Yellow locator flags are crucial for avoiding damaging gas lines. There is typically only a few reasons these types of little colored flags will appear in your yard or lawn. )Continue, If youre in the mood to spice up your yard, a pond can be a great idea. The locators will mark your yard with paint or flags in various colors that indicate where utility lines are . Get exclusive coverage about business in Denton County in your inbox twice a month, with a focus on the housing market. In most cases, you find flags in your yard on the occasion of a repair or maintenance going on in your neighborhood. 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. In general, you should not remove utility flags in your yard. You can then call the person or company and ask about the status of the project or if the flags are still necessary. Many times, the individuals or companies who call in the Call 811 Ticket request to dig does not have all of the information needed to pin-point the locate technicians to the exact spot of the work. The red flag utility marking is probably one of the most important ones that should be tampered with for any reason. Digging works could involve installation, repair,and maintenance of underground lines. You can then call the person or company and ask about the status of the project or if the flags are still necessary. Utility flags are placed to avoid any disturbances or accidents in the area while utility work is ongoing. No problem, I just weave around them. 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. Theyre eye-catching,, Read More Do You Need a Permit to Dig a Pond? Manage Settings (Somewhat Deer Resistant), Do Deer Eat Hellebores? Depending on the state youre in, there should be a law that prohibits any person from removing or tampering with utility flags. Thanks for contributing an answer to Home Improvement Stack Exchange! If there are flags or markings in or on your yard or near your yard, it means somebody - a neighbor or someone planning to do construction work near your yard - has called Missouri One Call Systems to have all nearby utilities located. It would also help you know if you can request removal or need to wait a while before requesting one. In the mean time is it OK to mow the spraypainted marks? 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. Plastic Antioxidants In most cases, it is illegal to tamper with these markings. The flag colors come in the uniform color code for general designation and use. Stephanie is fond of doing all backyard-related work at her home. Blue Water, slurry, and irrigation lines. The colors are as follows are noted in this handy chart. Mailboxes that have been directly hit by a snowplow will be repaired at the City's expense as soon as time and weather permit. What are these capped, metal pipes in our yard? If you must dig within 24" of utility marks/flags, be sure to dig with care. This will likely bump your concern to the top of their list. 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. 1. It signifies electric utilities, such as cables and power lines. 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. I'm assuming my neighbor needed to dig and had the lines flagged. They were here today.They marked with both spraypaint and flags. Damages to your property resulting from negligence or accidents is inevitable, especially when a utility company digs in your yard. mine haven't leaked in years. Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in. Flags protect you and your community. I was likeman I hope it didn't go all the way in. Keep in mind that even if you have not given any approval, utility companies can dig in your yard because of easements. Simply, an easement gives the right of usage for a specific purpose, not grant ownership of land to a person. This does not mean that someone will be parking a huge excavator in front of your home and tearing up your entire lawn. (Do This First), Can I Dig a Well on My Property? shaft cross Knowing the different flag colors representation helps you know what plans to make, and the kind of excavation or utility work would be done in your neighborhood. Utility services such as cable TV, telephone, electric, gas, water and sewer are often buried underground. These projects involve underground facilities that need to be protected. Mailboxes come in all shapes and, Read More Can a Mailbox Be Any Color? The purple flag indicates Reclaimed water lines, irrigation lines, and slurry lines. NO! The state requires utility companies and their subcontractors to locate and mark where underground lines are buried. There was an error processing your request. But the fact is, utility companies often do just that. 1. Also, most flags bear the name of the company that placed them, so you should be able to see the contact information. Doing so could result in fines. The green flag has a sinkhole cover plate symbol; the flag indicates sewage and drain lines which are also very important. Green flags are put up to mark drain lines and sewers. They wont even wait for your approval to do the digging. If your lawn is marked and you didn't know about it, then either your neighbors are planning . The blue utility flag has a water drop symbol on it. jfields@dentonrc.com, A long time coming: No. How do I align things in the following tabular environment? Placing orange flags means companies should be careful about digging this area, especially when people are expecting a big game on TV. In general, you should not remove utility flags in your yard. While the purpose of easements are to mainly allow utility companies to access your area for work, your neighbor may also own easements. Avoid digging near buried utilities if possible. one of them has like 10 plugs crammed into the same big hole. This means that you can only remove flags 30 days after placing them with no work done. The flags wont be there for long. 99% of the time they do. In general, you should not remove utility flags in your yard. THESE COMMENTS ARE NOT LEGAL ADVICE. 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. rev2023.3.3.43278. 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. They usually have a validity of 30 calendar days. A tip from many homeowners is to bug the company about your concern. Utility companies are empowered by law to place such flags, given that such utilities are considered public property by law. 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 . After a few passes, something catches my eye: a wire staff flag which was laying in the lawn, managed to implant itself in the sidewall of the back right tire of my VRide! Engineers will request to have utilities marked out so that they can design new utility systems around the old ones. Each color of paint/flag represents a unique type of underground utility. If you do so, someone can file a complaint against you and you could face a lawsuit. If your cable company ripped out grass or landscaping, they need to replace it. This color is used for communication systems, TV cables and alarm lines. In most cases, it is illegal to tamper with these markings. This approval must come from the relevant state laws and the government-assigned contractor or utility company in charge of the utilities in your neighborhood. Cannot fix sidewall punctures, its either a new tire or a tube. At least they didn't try spraypainting the snow like they did here not long agothat didn't work out well. In cases where you accidentally removed it, its best to call 811 for help. Utility flags are placed to avoid any disturbances or accidents in the area while utility work is ongoing. ; Green Sewer and drain lines. 5. Unfortunately no. How can I explain to my manager that a project he wishes to undertake cannot be performed by the team? athermalized lenses Its worth noting that each state has different laws when it comes to this situation. In some, they are valid for only two weeks especially if you havent observed any activity. Other utility flags cannot be removed for any reason because of the utility lines they represent. If you own property, it is in your best interest to know if any easements exist on your lot. Gunbuilder is right, they are good for 10 days to 2 weeks before requiring a relocate. Utility companies usually place flags to mark . Utility flags are placed to prevent any disturbances or accidents in the area as utility work is being carried out. If you see plenty of white flags wrapped around an area, that should give you an idea of how big the project is. Removing the marks and flags put them at risk. For the quickest answers, call you local Call 811 center by dialing 811 from any land line or cell phone. You may have removed it before realizing its purpose. and our In some states, the law stipulates that utility flags have a 30 days duration time without any work going on before they can be removed. 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. Using Kolmogorov complexity to measure difficulty of problems? We will label this asEOI(End of Information). Other states place a validity of the flags for 30 calendar days. As you spot those flags, you may not be sure what to do or what they mean. Utility flags are placed to avoid any disturbances or accidents in the area while utility work is ongoing. More importantly, its your responsibility to follow-up so dont be shy about it. If a gas main or service line is exposed during digging, call Greater Dickson Gas Authority. Do Butterflies Like Hibiscus? Generally, flags should not be taken off. Stop mower. The colors follow the Uniform Color Code set by the American Public Works Association. . (Check for This First)Continue, A pool in your front yard can add an impressive touch to your property if done right. Utility color flags help workers who carry out the digging identify which utility line is running under the marked spots. 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. plug them and put some tire slime in the tire. Children may also accidentally take those flags out. 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. Have you ever wondered about orange flags? 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. The APWA color code guide can tell you which colors indicate which type of utility. Small alcoves in exterior walls for utilities access? If they are damaged, they can lead to substantial effects on the community. PEGGY HEINKEL-WOLFE can be reached at 940-566-6881 and via Twitter at @phwolfeDRC. Come join the discussion about performance, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more! This utility line work may involve excavation and digging. Then, plan accordingly when you're ready to plant so that there's ample space between the plant and utility line. Proper attention to pipe that has been exposed will prevent problems later. Those are the little white and yellow flags you . (Try Doing This First), Can a Mailbox Be Any Color? Damaging this line could release poisonous gases and may cause a flood in the neighborhood. The answer is NO, you can't remove any utility flags place in your yard. The flags are red (electric), orange (telecommunication) and yellow (gas). It will be about 2 weeks before I can get the landscaping work done. Give the utility flag company a call first to inquire about their presence, and whether or not its safe to remove them. The state requires utility companies and their subcontractors to locate and mark where underground lines are buried. For orange flags, you could try to call your telephone or Cable TV company. You may have no idea what it is and you just see it as something that ruins the overall aesthetics of your yard. WHEN will someone come to do something about them? ALWAYS LEAVE IMMEDIATELY then. Utilities companies are good at scattering the stupid things all over the lawn.but don't come back to clean up their mess. An easement is typically granted by property owners to an electric utility for the purpose of constructing and maintaining power lines and other equipment. You may have removed it before realizing its purpose. But just because there are flags on your lawn it doesnt always mean the utility company is going to start digging up your yard. Tennessee law imposes civil penalties up to $1,000 in addition to actual damages, including repair and lost gas, if someone damages underground utilities without calling first. But it does not call for removal. If you must dig within 24" of utility marks/flags, be sure to dig with care. It's not a slalom course, just don't mow the block the are demarcating. By clicking Post Your Answer, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy. In the sections below, were going to provide you with tips on what you can do as a homeowner. Create a password that only you will remember. At the same time, you have to know where you should stand and when to comply to avoid embarrassing situations, such as calling the police for no valid reason. At this point you might start to wonder, Can I remove utility flags in my yard?. Utility companies usually place flags to mark underground facilities for projects like repair and maintenance. You can then speak with this person to see if they have completed the work or if the flags are even needed in your yard. Before a power line is built, Duke Energy acquires easements . It will be about 2 weeks before I can get the landscaping work done. It can be very tempting to play with them or even remove them. You cannot legally work from someone else's request. Calling 811 will get your underground utility lines marked and your project off to a safe start. You should always consult with an attorney or legal professional before taking any action. White flags usually mark the area where there is a proposed excavation. Can I remove utility flags in my yard? 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. Ask the title company, attorney or your real estate agent to retain all documents . 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. 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. The 8 Likely Reasons There Are Utility Flags in Your Yard. What do normal homeowner's do about utility flags/markings? The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Not the answer you're looking for? You also need to prove that they have failed to repair the damages or provide compensation. For more information, please see our Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. (Is This Illegal to Do? They mark these existing utilities with painted lines and flags to help our crew determine where they'll bury the new cable. Cannot fix sidewall punctures, its either a new tire or a tube. Digging on a spot without knowing beforehand the location of underground utility lines can be risky. 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 For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. The operator should be able to provide the name of the company or individual who requested the dig and their contact information. Call Now (888) 792-5353, Let's Discuss Your Project.Call Now (888) 792-5353. If you happen to notice that these flags have shown up in your entire neighborhood, this is likely the case. To children, those colorful flags could be very attractive. Sewer lines need to be preserved if there are in-ground projects. It is our state law that the flags can not be removed by ANYONE for the duration of the valid mark out. The lost time from the utility company and repair costs to that feeder was in the range of $450,000. How are we as lawn people supposed to know how long the flags have been there?? A: After our Consumers Energy team has completed the pipe replacement work in front of your home, the flags can be removed. Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. Easements can easily be considered a burden for most property owners. There are a few important reasons why there are flags on your lawn. When calling for locates, please have the following information ready: Who the work is being done for (general contractor or project) Type . I'll chat with them today. For most homeowners, your insurance policies will likely not cover the damages that arise from what the Utility Commission will classify as negligence. 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. And at highway speeds, that is dangerous. Modified 8 years, 9 months ago. juan.betancourt@dentonrc.com, Beth Maries has churned up a new flavor, North of Ordinary, to represent Denton, By John Fields Every morning, get a link to our newly redesigned e-Edition and the top Denton headlines you need to start your day. Each utility company will send a locator to your property within a few days of your call to 811. Mow your yard. When you see a pink flag utility flag on your yard, then you should not worry at the moment because there would not be heavy equipment moving, digging, or excavating. Why are there miss dig flags in my yard? Anyone who plans to dig should call 811 or go to their state 811 center's website a few business days before digging to request that the approximate location of buried utilities be marked with paint or flags so that you don't unintentionally dig into an underground utility line. If you are not able to get any information from your States Call 811 Center, you can try to call the utility company that placed the flag. As a result, they will give an estimate, which includes your property. 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. Typically they will replace the pole in the exact same location of the existing pole, or within a few feet, but regardless they always seem to call in way more than they need. I've started a nice collection of them in the back of my truck. Specifically, about these utility flags and markings - why are they on my yard? In such places, the state is responsible for removing locate flags that are on the streets and public places. Marking power lines connecting to a grid can eliminate the risk of a wide power outage or electrocution. 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. If damages have been done to your property, its best to notify the company. Legal Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is provided for informational purposes only, and shouldnotbe interpreted aslegal advice or acted upon as such. Must wait three business days for a markout, begin digging within 10 business days, ticket expires in 45 business days. Scan this QR code to download the app now. Technically, you shouldnt be removing flags the moment you see them. Although we cant specifically answer your question here, we can help shed some light on a few of the possibilities about what is happening. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Be mindful of these flags; you may not like seeing green flags on your yard but dont consider removing them. Home Improvement Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for contractors and serious DIYers. 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 deciding, you want to remove utility flags on your property because you did not authorize them to be placed. As electricity lines involve great danger to digging personnel and people living nearby, cables and power lines are marked in red. Power, telephone, gas, and water lines are buried underground, likely on your property. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'yardpit_com-box-4','ezslot_3',117,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-yardpit_com-box-4-0'); The utility companies are given this right for the major purpose of public safety as these utility lines are placed underground. These markings should not be tampered with by unauthorized parties for community safety. If there is an easement, they don't need your permission to run the cable. Here are the different colors used in marking flags and what they mean: Red Electric power lines, cables, conduits, and lighting cables. That could be as long as 14 weeks. In the mean time is it OK to mow the . As a result, they will give an estimate, which includes your property. If youre asking, what color will CATV flags in my yard or at&T flags in my yard be, then the answer is orange. According to the Pennsylvania Underground Utility Line Protection Act (Act 287): If youre unsure, a more helpful way to deal with this is to call 811. The primary reason is because there is a planned excavation in the vicinity of your property. For instance, a water company may ask to have that area marked with yellow flags so that when there is an installation, repair, or maintenance on the water lines, the marked spot wont be touched. I've yet to . You can guess at what company placed what flags based on you local utility providers. Placing orange flags means companies should be careful about digging this area, especially when people are expecting a big game on TV. 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. As you spot those flags, you may not be sure what to do or what they mean. 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. It could be that individuals or companies calling in the dig request cant provide the exact location to mark. infrared lenses The colored flags in your yard each have a meaning. 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. But when I called 811 they directed me to the seller's listing agent before the home was sold, and she was at a loss as to what to tell me and told me to just remove them. I've had others leak and need another plug. Sometimes calls come in for landscaping and these flags need to be placed, or sometimes it's a year long project that needs a long time to plan. 175. ; Yellow Lines used for natural gas, oil, steam, petroleum, as well as other gaseous or flammable materials. These lines can include oil, gas, water, sewers, electrical lines, and telephone lines. Red utility flags are used to mark underground electric and cable lines. To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers. Excavation, according to the law, means anything that moves, removes or displaces earth rock or other material in or on . 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 .
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