Spring is here, and the warmer season means Floridians are getting their shovels ready for a multitude of outdoor improvement projects, ranging from planting new landscaping to installing a fence or deck to working on their home’s overall curb appeal.
However, homeowners should take caution with these activities as dangers lie below.
While it’s the most active season for outdoor to-do work, it’s also a time when telecommunications, water and gas lines are increasingly hit. Last year, there were more than 26,000 reported damages to buried lines in Florida.
Sunshine 811 encourages homeowners and professional contractors to take the right steps to dig safely, especially as landscaping and fencing combined cause the most damage to underground utility lines (some of which are just inches to a foot or two below the surface). Damage from hand tools and digging equipment can result in costly repairs, service interruptions and potential injuries.
Sunshine 811 offers advice to avoid these five all too-common mistakes:
Not contacting 811 before you dig. This is the number one cause of damage to underground utilities and is completely preventable. By contacting 811, you ensure your safety and avoid potential inconveniences and accidents by having buried lines marked by your utility companies. Contacting 811 before you dig is also the law.
Not waiting the required time to dig so underground utility lines can be marked. While no one likes waiting to get started on a project, the law requires you to wait two full business days (after requesting a locate ticket with 811) to have underground lines marked and to begin digging.
Not understanding the difference between public and private lines. While utilities mark public lines such as gas, electric, telecom and water mains, it’s your responsibility to have private lines marked, including the water line from your meter to property, irrigation, landscape lighting, pool pumps and gas lines to grills.
Not realizing the rules around easements. Easements or right-of-ways on your property mean others, like a utility company, have access to part of your land to, for example, dig around a pipe or cable. If there are easements on your property, they may restrict your ability to excavate in certain areas. Check with your utility company. Utility boxes and pedestals on your property are fed by underground utility lines. Do not dig or plant around these structures.
Not considering the damage hand tools and equipment can cause. Heavy foot pressure on a shovel can inadvertently hit a shallow buried line, while a backhoe or stump grinder can easily dig up close-to-the surface and deeper underground lines leaving you with steep repair costs. That’s why it’s important to contact 811 and have all lines marked.
“This time of year, people love to beautify their property,” said Wendy Schaefer, education and awareness manager for Sunshine 811. “We want them to start by being informed, taking the right steps and digging safely. What may seem like an easy or small project can turn into a serious and dangerous situation if you don’t follow the process, starting with contacting 811. You can’t put a price on safety and protecting human life.”
811 can be accessed by entering those numbers directly on your phone or by visiting digsafeflorida.com and clicking on “Create a Ticket.”
Sunshine 811 is also Florida’s go-to resource for education on safe digging. The organization’s online Learning Center offers in-depth information, resources and videos on a variety of topics, including the six essential steps for safe digging, safe planting tips, damage prevention and more.
For more information about being safe and smart while digging, go to digsafeflorida.com.
