Definition
A service that locates and marks underground utility lines before excavation or construction work. Locating utilities prevents accidental damage and potential injuries.
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Before any digging, including foundation work, landscaping, fencing, or utilities, it's important to have underground utilities located and marked. In most areas, you can request free utility marking through a one-call service (such as 811 in the U.S.). Utility locators mark lines with flags and paint, indicating the location and type of each utility.
Pro Tip
Always call for utilities to be marked before any digging. Hitting a gas or electric line can be dangerous and expensive.
Example
Before digging a fence post hole, a homeowner calls the utility locator service, which marks the gas line, water line, and electrical conduit so the homeowner can avoid them when digging.