Typically, you will find gas lines at 24 inches below ground, while other utilities are 18 inches below ground. Extraordinary circumstances may prevent utility operators/contract locators from completing the marking within 2 working days. (C) Installation. A qualified engineer can help you get the permits and organize the digging. In cold climates, the pipe will be buried deeper to prevent freezing in the winter. There are strict rules and guidelines regarding the type of work and materials. There are a variety of reasons why you may need to dig trenches or holes in your yard. You can sort the list in either Ascending or Descending order by Company or Marking Code by clicking on the appropriate column header. The utility companies and their contractors, excavators, and the general public all benefit from the campaign to prevent underground utility damage. And when installed near a road, it should be laid in a manner that prevents future conflicts in case of road improvement projects. If your projects require digging, be sure to call your state's locating service for free marking of any buried utilities. 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. But there are no shortcuts when digging below ground . (Learn How To Dig A Trench For Electrical Wire). IMPORTANT Unless you have a dedicated fax telephone number and a fax machine that is capable of automatically answering an incoming fax call and receiving a message, do not provide us with your fax number. How to Soften Wood for Axe Throwing 7 Popular Methods, 5 Best Types of Wood for Knife Throwing (Pros & Cons of Each), How to Tell If Firewood is Seasoned (for Beginners), When To Split Firewood & Why It is Necessary (5 Common Mistakes), Do Propane Heaters Produce Carbon Monoxide? If you do not provide an e-mail address or a fax number, Virginia law requires that you call our Positive Response System at 1-800-552-3120 before any digging begins. Usually, this is the water meter. Choosing trees to plant near underground utilities. Check to find out the ideal burial depth in your state so that your water lines dont freeze or suffer damage. Generally, before digging, youll need to be covered by a permit, and also check with an inspector about local construction codes. This list is comprised of contract locators that have asked to be listed on the VA811 website. Gary Evans is passionate about home improvement. Check status of marking before excavating! References May 30, 2022 Memorial Day for example 3 = 2003. It is helpful to know the depth of different utility lines before digging so you can avoid them. Upgrading his home kitchen is one of his ongoing hobbies. Buried depth requirements of these utilities can vary from area to area. Section 02220 Trenching, Backfilling and Compaction of Utilities Page 02220-2 City of Lynchburg, VA Manual of Specifications and Standard Details April 2020 . to respond to this type of ticket, just the same as a regular ticket. In order to get a Web Ticket Account, you will be required to participate in a training session provided by Virginia 811 (at no cost). Always double-check by having the local 811 service visit your property and mark for utilities. First, check the Virginia Positive Response System. More information regarding code requirements and the many options for trench depth, conduit material, and electrical cable type are in this section. In general, bury metal conduits at least 6 inches below the soil surface. The electrical utility will feed conductors to the buildings basement and link them to the equipment, so they wont influence other electrical servicesor fire protection systems. The current depth of an electric or natural gas line can be different than when it was first installed. These markers indicate the approximate location of the gas line, the material being transported, the utility companys name, and their contacts in case of emergency. There are sewer, gas, and electrical lines that start 12 deep, and you cannot bury a water line over them or too close to them. Sewer lines on private property can be as shallow as 18 to 30 inches deep or as deep as 5 to 8 feet deep. Check your deed or plot plan, or call the utility. 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. Allow required time for marking. That figure doesn't count the cost to bury other utility lines, like cable and telecommunications. Because youll almost certainly need to employ someone to dig a trench, go all the way down. "Everyone involved with the project did a great job, professional, tidy, friendly." Judy, Chesapeake, VA Open Transcript For that reason, there are legal guidelines to help avoid incurring damages costs. Respect the marks. This is because the instruments used to detect utility lines are not always reliable. Avoid using PVC pipes to transfer hot water though. Polyvinyl chloride or PVC pipes have gained a considerable amount of popularity among homeowners. Check local rules and guidelines. For ALL excavation work ANYWHERE in Virginia. As long as you drain the sprinkler lines completely, they should remain intact through the winter. Are you thinking of installing patios, decks, walls, or any other structure in your yard? Please consider calling a professional service to check your garden for underground utility lines. The national electricity safety code does not have standard depths for telecom lines. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Each notice of excavation received at the Virginia 811 contact center receives a number. A water pipeline is another utility that usually passes through your garden. Furthermore, you should place sand around the cable to keep rocks from pushing against it and interfering with the signal. Installation of utility lines. Professional locators are then sent for free to the requested dig site to mark the approximate locations of underground lines with flags, paint or both so that you don't dig into and damage an underground utility line. In reality this is mostly done by contractors and the shallower it's plowed or trenched the fast they can go and the more money they can make, so don't count on them being at any set depth. underground utility lines. 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. Always call 811 if you plan to dig a hole that is deeper than 12 to ensure you dont hit a gas or electrical line. so, you can complete your home renovation. Gas pipelines are buried to keep them from corrosion, impact, and abrasion. Section 21.40 - Underground Utilities (a) General. National Codes specify the depth to which these lines must be buried below ground. Confirm with local companies because grade changes completed after lines were laid may alter depth. Please do your part to protect underground utility lines that provide you and your community with (Learn How To Connect Flexi Hose To Copper Pipe). If you provide either, our computer system will send you a confirmation message: 1) As soon as all utilities have posted a response on the system 2) or at the end of the 48 hour marking period (at 7 AM on the third working day after your call). It varies based on where you live, the quality of the soil, and the frost depth where you live. 811 is the number to call before you initiate any type of deep digging on your property. Contact the individuals listed below to locate privately owned buried utility lines such as lines to electric lights, water piping between the meter and the house as well as propane lines from buried tanks, etc. Many state laws require you to contact the central-line locating service at least 2 days before you start digging and excavating to prevent damage to underground utility lines. Find the water lines entry point to your home and imagine a straight line between the two spots to see where your water line runs. It is the depth (in inches) at which water in the ground can expect to freeze. When working around buried facilities, remember that main lines are typically at least 2 feet deep while service lines are only at about 18 inches deep. You may not have a lot of available space for trenches on your property. Those pipes can last for several decades without leaking and they also inhibit the growth of bacteria. In colder climates, sewer and water lines are typically deep in the ground below the winter frost line. The minimum depth for underground electric cables is 24 inches, but 36 inches is the preferred depth for most electric utility companies that run high-voltage lines. 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.. 811 protects you and your community! Since July 1, 2002, Section 56-257 of the Code of Virginia has specified that underground utility lines must be installed at depths that are in accordance with accepted industry standards. Although facility owners may follow depth guidelines when installing lines, they have no control over depth variation caused by human interference, weather, or other circumstances. If there is no field contact, call Virginia 811 for assistance. It may take them a few days to show up so its best to call well in advance. Trenching costs $5 to $12 per linear foot, depending on the length, depth, soil type, and obstructions. In some instances, you will be charged for this service. You may be specifically thinking of putting the water and electric lines together. It is the homeowners responsibility to locate and mark any private lines that they . If the site is sandy and easy to dig, save money by digging deeper and you may not need to use conduit. If the wire or pipe approaches a major obstruction like a garden pond or foundation footers, it will detour around the obstruction. 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. If one or more utilities have not marked their lines or reported clear or no conflict, they will automatically receive a second notice and should quickly have the site marked or call you to notify you of the date and time when the area will be marked. Placing them underground can stop that from happening. A water line should be buried 4-6 below the lowest depth of frost in the ground so that it doesn't freeze and burst. Keep a distance of about 15 inches on either side of the utility lines once theyve been discovered. In my current house, most that I am aware of are in an area of about 100' by 40' feet that runs from the house out to the street. (Find Out Now! Because of that, youre considering putting the water lines and other utilities in the same trench. Both of them are related to protecting the water lines themselves. Utility operators or their contract locators locate and mark their own utilities. Are you having a trench dug and need to know the depth? And there can be just as many different types of utility pipes and wires running through your lawn at different depths, any one of which could lead to an expensive or dangerous mishap if you cut into a line while digging. Call Before Installing Septic tanks and sewer lines Swimming pools Wells Sprinklers and water lines Basketball goal posts or mailbox posts Fences and deck posts Trees and shrubs 1) Call It is therefore wise to get utility companies to mark these lines in your home so your construction activity wont damage them. Your Get free, zero-commitment quotes from pro contractors near you. This depth also makes it easy to repair or maintain your sprinkler line if there is a problem. You have four options to run power lines underground through your yard. A fax number that is the same as your phone number will not work. There are strict rules and guidelines regarding the type of work and materials. After contacting 811, they will ask you to supply some information. We also no longer use the statewide grid system that we once used that is based on latitude / longitude quarter minute grids. For example, in case of placement near road crossings, unfinished road, or drainage ditches, experts recommend laying the fiber 30-42 inches deep. Millions of miles of underground utility lines run beneath residential lawns in the United States. The information below explains the significance of the numbers. ), Why Do Propane Tanks Freeze? alphabetical listing should contact the Virginia Utility Protection In this case, the cable can be installed at. Call 811 and get free help mapping out the utility lines in your property before taking on any major construction project. Over time, as services are added to the house, trenches are dug and earth or sod are laid over the top. The 811 utility location service only identifies underground services. Bring dogs inside or chain them up, unlock gates, and turn off exterior security devices. Furthermore, they can help with digging, or perform work around or under public land. Homeowners have important role in ensuring underground utilities and underground private lines are protected. It would be a waste of time to search for the lines every time you want to take on a major construction project. Click hereto see the Virginia Marking Standards booklet. Heres the breakdown. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. It definitely makes more sense to bury the water lines from that perspective. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Report incident Locating underground utilities is becoming more of a challenge as the vast array of lines in the ground continues to increase. 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. The depth of gas and utility lines will depend on your location because local governments set regulations. the utilities) that own and maintain underground lines in the area. If the marks cannot be seen, do not dig until re-marking is completed. Call 811 and get free help mapping out the utility lines in your property before taking on any major construction project. 2021 This can be done at your convenience. A few of the larger services: Individual states often maintain web portals providing information on safe digging. deep. Using these, you have access to the interior wires above ground level. This will prevent any interference with existing power lines. Get the plans from your local pipeline operator, map out the area via, Furthermore, if the water pipe is laid near other utility lines, such as a gas pipe, a minimum distance of 3 feet shall be maintained. Professional excavators are encouraged to use our Web Ticket Entry program. Therefore, the depth of sewer lines varies greatly and depends on how deep the street sewer is. The simple answer is rust. Utility services that your family depends on, such as high-speed Internet, landline telephone, electric, gas, water and sewer, are buried underground in many communities. Get the plans from your local pipeline operator, map out the area via GPRs and find out what the pipes are carrying. You can also head over to 811s website if you need assistance. Before digging, you must call 811 since 2005. Its always wise to know the entire layout of the gas line before carrying out any digging activity near it. When work is expected to begin. Their durability is a big reason why they are so appealing. When calling in ticket requests, please listen carefully as our phone menu options have changed. Contact Virginia 811 and request re-marking (This is called a re-mark ticket.) How To Keep Shallow Water Lines From Freezing (Do This! Youll need to ask them for help, and this service may cost you. That's why it's so important to pick an . Click here for further information on reporting an incident to the SCC. Virginia 811 is the free Virginia information exchange center for excavators, contractors and property owners planning any kind of excavation, digging or demolition work. The tools used to locate underground wires are not always precise, and 811guidelines say that holes or trenches should be kept at least 18 inches away from either side of marked lines. However, in some instances, the line may not have been installed, or it could be damaged and needs to be replaced. Start and end points of a utility line can find its general position. If lines continue underground, such as from a house to a garage or shed, 811 does not pinpoint their location. Under a driveway, you may only need 12 inches of burial depth. Call them. Lee has over two decades of hands-on experience remodeling, fixing, and improving homes, and has been providing home improvement advice for over 13 years. In the case of landscaping activities above the utility lines, the final depth will be different from the original. Utility line depth requirement Section Print PDF email 56-265.26:1. Attached Graphic (A) Underground utility facilities crossing the highway shall be encased as shown in Figure 21.40(a)(1). Trench length. So, why did cast iron pipes fall out favor? Yes. Many, if not all utility lines are buried underground for aesthetic purposes. Hitting a gas pipeline can have severe consequences, including leaks, poisoning, and explosions. Contact the State Health Department office in your county or city. Continue with Recommended Cookies, Your Guide To The Best Outdoor Products On The Market. The VGIN maps are accurate geospatial data. January 17, 2022 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day The national standard is 36 inches. This is especially helpful for non-public utility lines that were installed by private companies. If you do not hear from them by the end of the marking period, use the field contact information on the e-mail confirmation from the Positive Response System to call the utility company. Right click and select Save Target As to save the file to your computer for faster printing. When you contact Virginia 811, you will be asked for an e-mail address or a fax number. Workers will visit your property and mark the ground with paint or flags to indicate the location of underground utility wires and pipes. Virginia Administrative Code: 20VAC5-325-30. There are 1 Call utility numbers to call. 2021 The economic effects of such an effort on state and local governments or utilities, and ultimately consumers, would be significant. Copper pipes also have no trouble dealing with very hot or very cold water. Click the Show All link to display the entire list. 24 inches In addition, National Codes dictate the depth, below ground, these lines must be buried. For example, in California, laws state that underground gas lines must be placed at least 18 inches deep, while in New York, its 24. make it possible to have proper irrigation and gardening. Do you want to install irrigation or lighting in your garden? In some areas there are aggregated services similar to the nationwide onebut on a smaller, regional scale. You can typically bury sprinkler lines 8-9 inches deep and they wont get damaged. Water and gas pipelines can run in the same. Often, utility line depth is less a matter of prescribed requirements and more a matter of whim. They may also sustain damage accidentally if youre doing some yard work. When a home passes from one owner to another, the locations of these utility lines are rarely communicated to the new owner.
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