can i remove utility flags in my yard

And a damaged gas line can cause soil contamination and even explosion. Viewed 4k times. If they damage your property and try to make you pay for the damages, its just going to be your word versus theirs. ALWAYS LEAVE IMMEDIATELY then. For instance, it is not that uncommon for an electric company to call in a 150 radius of a utility pole that is going to be replaced. This means they can step on your yard and not be considered trespassing, as long as they use this access for a specific purpose. Before you blow your stack, relax a little bit. Additional_Guard66 8 mo. 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. A property owner concerned about lingering flags could call 811 for more information about who called in and sought utility locations, according to Denton city spokesperson Jessica Rogers. There is typically only a few reasons these types of little colored flags will appear in your yard or lawn. If you have a kids who love to dig, the centers offer child . This post contains affiliate links. Please refer to our full affiliate disclosure policy for full details. Refresh Marks requests can only be submitted for excavation projects that were started within 14 calendar days of the initial locate requests. How to show that an expression of a finite type must be one of the finitely many possible values? WHEN will someone come to do something about them? 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. 1. Each color of paint/flag represents a unique type of underground utility. I've started a nice collection of them in the back of my truck. Do not work off someone else's marks or ticket. The answer is NO, you can't remove any utility flags placed in your yard. I've had others leak and need another plug. As a result, Verizon or the utility company damaged my driveway. If you discover utility lines put up in your garden, some repair or maintenance works will be carried on the utility lines in the area. Low around 50F. Last month a dozen utility flags appeared on my front lawn, my neighbors front lawn and along our property line. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. A pink utility flag indicates there is a temporary survey marking going on in the area. If the line is damaged, the neighborhood could experience a flood or that water will not be safe for drinking for days. I had 811 mark my utility lines. Can I have utility location done well in advance of a fence project? Did any DOS compatibility layers exist for any UNIX-like systems before DOS started to become outmoded? 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. You can then call the person or company and ask about the status of the project or if the flags are still necessary. This will result in everyday inconveniences that can affect not only you but also other people in the community. If the company or its subcontractors do damage to your land while doing their work, you must immediately notify the persons involved. (And Wind Chimes). you can plug sidewalls. Depending on the state youre in, there should be a law that prohibits any person from removing or tampering with utility flags. Yard Blogger provides practical tips and friendly expert advice on everything relating to your home and 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. These mark the power lines that connect to a neighbor's power grid. (Do This First)Continue, Well water offers many positive advantages, most importantly, fewer utility bills! In instances where youve seen the flag on your yard for 14 days without someone doing any work, you can remove them. Avoiding the flagged areas, of course. The flags help utility workers locate the lines . Chinese Breaker Box (240v split-phase?) Utility companies are empowered by law to place such flags, given that such utilities are considered public property by law. Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. You're better off leaving them where they're. If you happen to notice that these flags have shown up in your entire neighborhood, this is likely the case. Unfortunately yes, they can. While most utility companies pay compensation to customers without any hesitation, others might put up a challenge. While you cant really prevent a utility company from coming on your property, its good to know what theyre doing when they are there. Since they are placed to mark gas lines, removing them will defeat the purpose of protecting the lines. You would be really upset if you lived in my area, we also spray paint on the ground above the utility path. Sure you can.on mowers, just not on a vehicle that will maintain highway speeds. Technically, you shouldnt be removing flags the moment you see them. Its vital to avoid the spot marked with the yellow flags. Stop mower. 3. You also need to prove that they have failed to repair the damages or provide compensation. If you see plenty of white flags wrapped around an area, that should give you an idea of how big the project is. It's been two weeks now the lawn is a mess because we are unsure of how to avoid all the markings and flags. These will help workers locate important marked spots. 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. While an easement does give right to the utility company to use or access your land, they do not own it. 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. What are these capped, metal pipes in our yard? To reply to the question of the illegality of removing utility flags, yes, it is illegal to remove them. Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, and our products. Last month a dozen utility flags appeared on my front lawn, my neighbors front lawn and along our property line. (Answer Inside), Does Windex or Fabuloso Kill Roaches? 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. Allowing others to use a portion of your, Read More How To Remove An Easement From Your Property The Right WayContinue, A street light shining into your yard can be maddeningespecially if its hindering your attempts to observe the night, Read More Can You Get Street Lights Turned Off? NO! If youre going this route, make sure you work with a lawyer that has experience in dealing with utility concerns. You may be so tempted to remove utility color flags from your yard. Call the Utility Notification Center of Colorado at 1-800-922-1987. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. jfields@dentonrc.com, A long time coming: No. Doing so is illegal and you could pay a fine. Sewer lines need to be preserved if there are in-ground projects. In most states, it is illegal to tamper with any underground utility markings that were placed in accordance with your states Call 811 dig laws. How to follow the signal when reading the schematic? they never come back to remove them. In most cases, you will be given compensation. Usually, this involves potable water. If you have these flags and paint in your yard, it means that someone in the area is planning to dig and they did the responsible thing and called 811 . Is it permissible to have exposed mains conductors in holiday lights? Utility companies usually place flags to mark . 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. It will be about 2 weeks before I can get the landscaping work done. Uniform Color Code set by the American Public Works Association. But generally, the law requires utility companies to pay compensation. I know he was mad I know they fixed it and put sod down. Invalid password or account does not exist. Home Improvement Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for contractors and serious DIYers. Simply, an easement gives the right of usage for a specific purpose, not grant ownership of land to a person. JavaScript is disabled. At this point you might start to wonder, Can I remove utility flags in my yard?. Excavation, according to the law, means anything that moves, removes or displaces earth rock or other material in or on . (Roofing Ideas & Options)Continue. Although we cant specifically answer your question here, we can help shed some light on a few of the possibilities about what is happening. Accidental removal of the flags is inevitable. More people now want to invest, Read More Can I Have a Shipping Container in My Backyard Legally?Continue, A pergola is a great way to add some extra shade to your yard or garden, and it can, Read More Can a Pergola Have a Solid Roof? A: After our Consumers Energy team has completed the pipe replacement work in front of your home, the flags can be removed. They Do), Do Butterflies Like Roses? By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. Maybe try searching. 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. Can I remove the flags in my yard? Is it possible to create a concave light? Its vital to avoid the spot marked with the yellow flags. and our For more information, please see our However, an easement holder doesn't own the land. Note that if you see any white paint or flags, this is typically marking the route of the proposed excavation. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Sewer lines need to be preserved if there are in-ground projects. At least 3 business days before you plan to dig, make your locate request online with the Utility Notification Center of Colorado (Colorado 811). What do you want to know? The markings are valid per their rules for 30 days. Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in. Utility Flag Color Code. (Check for This First)Continue, A pool in your front yard can add an impressive touch to your property if done right. Have you ever wondered about orange flags? Utility lines are a matter of public or state-owned facilities that are meant to serve the public. Denton city spokeswoman Jessica Rogers recommends that a property owner concerned about lingering flags call 811 to get more information about who called in and requested utility locations. 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. These projects involve underground facilities that need to be protected. Also, most flags bear the name of the company that placed them, so you should be able to see the contact information. An easement is typically granted by property owners to an electric utility for the purpose of constructing and maintaining power lines and other equipment. This center will take care of communicating with your local utilities, who will send their people out to mark line locations. This purpose should be explained clearly on the easement. The operator should be able to provide the name of the company or individual who requested the dig and their contact information. First, we can help answer they Why part of the equation. Its even more frustrating to see people come to your yard and put up flags without permission. When someone is going to dig up the ground for any reason, they are required to locate utilities first. Waking up to the sound of construction going on near your area is not an uncommon occurrence. Staff Writer The colors of the flags and their symbolism are listed below: A white flag, which usually has a shovel symbol, indicates a proposed excavation. If you forget it, you'll be able to recover it using your email address. If you are unable to gather the information from the state 811, you can simply refer to the color of the flag. To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. Utility flags can be of several different colors, with each of the flag colors indicating a different utility line or component. The Yellow flag utility has an oil drop symbol in it. This repair in such situations involves sections of the utility line that pass through your yard. These flags aside, the color comes with symbols. I'll chat with them today. A standing flag symbol is drawn on the pink utility flag. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. i will normally leave the flags for 1 to 2 visits, if they are still there after 2 weeks i pick them up. In such places, the state is responsible for removing locate flags that are on the streets and public places. 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. But it does not call for removal. Its expected of a property owner to be bothered by the sight of colorful flags in their yard. But if it happens to you, you should know that it means someone is planning to turn it into an excavation site. The mess they leave. 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 811 call centers also serve an educational purpose. The only person who should be removing them is the one responsible for the placement of the flags. The first one is that there will be an excavation project planned in the spot where the flags are. What this also means is that you are the sole owner of your property; your neighbor cannot use the easement as an excuse to build a structure on your property. Damages to your property resulting from negligence or accidents is inevitable, especially when a utility company digs in your yard. Utility flags are placed to avoid any disturbances or accidents in the area while utility work is ongoing. The colors follow the Uniform Color Code set by the American Public Works Association. Is it Illegal to Remove Utility Flags? After 10 days, we can remove the markings. If the flags are removed before work is done, buried utility lines could be damaged and workers could be injured. PEGGY HEINKEL-WOLFE can be reached at 940-566-6881 and via Twitter at @phwolfeDRC. Small alcoves in exterior walls for utilities access? For instance, she may place marks at the northeast and southwest corners of a piece of land to . Survey Markers. I've had sidewall plugs hold the life of the tire. Since they are placed to mark gas lines, removing them will defeat the purpose of protecting the lines. 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. 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. More importantly, its your responsibility to follow-up so dont be shy about it. Generally, flags should not be taken off. If you need or want to remove the flags, our suggestion is that you call your local state-run dig center by simply dialing 811 . 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. This is so given the role they play to mark public utility lines and help protect these lines in that manner. In some, they are valid for only two weeks especially if you havent observed any activity. Image Credit: Rick Beauregard, Shutterstock. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. THESE COMMENTS ARE NOT LEGAL ADVICE. A surveyor places survey markers to label major points on the land's surface. A utility company can dig in your yard without permission. They should be able to provide the contact name and number for the individual who called in the dig request. I had 811 mark my utility lines. So far, i've mowed and trimmed around them to the best of my ability. If you have blue flags, you can call the water company, and so on. Why are Suriname, Belize, and Guinea-Bissau classified as "Small Island Developing States"? Utility color flags help workers who carry out the digging identify which utility line is running under the marked spots. Green flags are put up to mark drain lines and sewers. (Is This Illegal to Do? Utility companies usually place flags to mark . Other utility flags cannot be removed for any reason because of the utility lines they represent. 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. Ir Lens Stay up to date with all of the sports news coming out of Denton-area high schools. Should I expect them to pay for the damages? We would advise that you do not remove the markings or flags. Utility flags are important in the functions they play in informing people of utility lines that are specially placed underground. Though, if the flag has been there for nearly a month without any activity carried out, the property . The colors are as follows are noted in this handy chart. Create a password that only you will remember. infrared lenses Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. In cases where you accidentally removed it, its best to call 811 for help. 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.